CASPER — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Wyoming State Director Glenn Pauley announced Monday — Earth Day — investments totaling over $1 million for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements to lower energy costs for nine rural Wyoming small businesses.

Through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), USDA provides grants and loans to help ag producers and rural small business owners expand their use of wind, solar and other forms of clean energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses and lower energy costs.

“The REAP program has proven to be a great resource which allows Wyoming small businesses and agricultural producers to save money on their energy bills, thus putting that savings back into the businesses. We hope to see several more businesses take advantage of the program before the final, quarterly deadline in September,” Pauley said.

The following investments will cut energy costs and use for Wyoming businesses:

• Atlantic City Federal Credit Union will purchase and install two 24.8kW (kilowatt) solar arrays for its branch locations in Lander and Riverton. The solar installment will save the cooperative $7,518 per year and is expected to replace 75,180 kilowatt hours (kWh) or 38% of the company’s current energy usage. The energy saved is equivalent to the amount needed to power six homes. 

• Cowboy State Brewing LLC in Glenrock will install two 25 kW solar systems on its rooftop and carport structure. Cowboy State Brewing will utilize the clean power to manufacture, can and store malt beverage products. The business is expected to save $5,760 per year and replace 72,000 kWh, or 53% of the company’s current energy usage. The energy saved is equivalent to the amount needed to power six homes.

• Industrial Services Inc., a civil engineering business in Rocks Springs, will purchase and install a 23kW solar rooftop system. The renewable energy system will save the company $4,465 per year and is expected to replace 40,587 kWh or 69% of the company’s current energy usage. The energy saved is equivalent to the amount needed to power three homes. 

• Kifaru Holdings LLC will purchase and install a 120kW roof-mounted solar system with a battery backup. Kifaru Holdings LLC operates out of Riverton to produce high-quality outdoor recreation equipment. The renewable energy system will save $10,398 per year in energy costs and is expected to replace 172,573 kWh, or more than 100% of the company’s current energy usage. The energy saved is equivalent to the amount needed to power 15 homes. 

• Magama Holdings LLC will purchase and install a 37kw solar system on the AlphaGraphics rooftop, a local Sheridan marketing and printing company. The solar array will be an expansion on an existing system on the AlphaGraphics office building. The solar installation will save $5,442 per year and is expected to replace 49,465 kWh, or 38% of the company’s current energy usage. The energy saved is equivalent to the energy needed to power four homes. This is the company’s second REAP grant award.

• Melvin Brewing Company LLC will purchase and install energy-efficient equipment including a reverse osmosis water treatment apparatus to reduce water and energy usage at the brewery in Alpine. Energy efficiency improvements are projected to save the small business $42,443 per year in energy costs.

• Mullinax Inc. will purchase and install a roof-mounted 37kW solar system. Mullinax, which supplies sand and gravel products, has been in operation for more than 70 years in Sheridan. The renewable energy system will save Mullinax Inc. $2,752 per year, and is expected to replace 45,870 kWh, or 35% of the company’s current energy usage. The energy saved is equivalent to the amount needed to power four homes. 

• NU2U LLC, a secondhand clothing store in Laramie, will install 7.29kW and 24.3kW rooftop solar systems on two of its locations. The systems will save NU2U $5,304 annually and replace 47,870 kWh, or 80% of the company’s current energy usage. The energy savings will be equivalent to the amount needed to power four homes. 

• PC Stock Doc, a women-owned veterinary clinic in operation over 25 years in Riverton, will make energy efficient improvements by installing a new floor in a large animal barn. The new barn floor will save the business $180 in annual energy costs and reduce water consumption. This is the company’s second REAP grant award.

The projects announced are being funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the nation’s largest-ever investment in rural electrification since the passage of the Rural Electrification Act in 1936.

USDA continues to accept REAP applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through Sept. 30. The funding includes a dedicated portion for underutilized renewable energy technologies. For additional information on application deadlines and submission details, see page 19239 of the March 31 Federal Register.