The United States Department of Agriculture says it’s investing $1.77 million to reduce the impacts of climate change on rural Wyoming communities.

That includes a $5,885 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant awarded to Wildman Farms, Inc. of Manderson. The family-owned agricultural operation will use the funds to purchase and install a 7.82 kW grid-tied roof mount solar array. It offset 9,710 kWh of energy usage with solar-powered energy per year and will result in an approximate savings of $1,243 annually, according to the USDA.

In another Wyoming-related project, the department says it awarded Sapp Bros Petroleum Inc. a $1.76 million Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) grant to create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels. Sapp Bros Petroleum will use the funds to help: install a new dedicated biodiesel tank and associated pumping and piping system; three 30,000 gallon biodiesel storage tanks and loading equipment; and convert a 200,000 gallon tank to hold biodiesel, adding insulation and heat trace piping at five locations in Connecticut, Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming.

“Rural Development’s energy program funding has assisted two businesses to help them become more energy independent and resilient,” USDA Acting State Director Janice Blare. “Blare said. “Wildman Farms will be able to save money after implementing a renewable energy source, and Sapp Bros Petroleum will be able to expand its current operations. That’s a win for Wyoming business.”