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Jan 30, 2023
USDA Rural Development has available the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to help farmers and rural, small, for-profit businesses install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 provided the program over $250,000,000 for REAP grants. Renewable energy projects may be eligible for up to $1,000,000or 40% of eligible project costs, whichever is less.
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Jul 11, 2022
In a gradual return to pre-pandemic levels, the U.S. primary energy consumption increased by 4 quadrillion British thermal units (quads) in 2021. Fossil fuels accounted for 79% of the 97 quads of primary energy consumption in the United States, while 12% came from renewable energy and an additional 8% was provided by nuclear energy generation. To read the full article from the U.S. Energy Information Administration please visit, Fossil fuel sources accounted for 79% of U.S. consumption of primary energy in 2021.
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Jul 5, 2022
Operable atmospheric crude oil distillation capacity, our primary measure of refinery capacity in the United States, totaled 17.9 million barrels per calendar day as of January 1, 2022, down 1% from the beginning of 2021. According to our annual Refinery Capacity Report, 2021 was the second consecutive year of decreasing refinery capacity. To read the full article from the U.S. Energy Information Administration please visit, U.S.
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Nov 15, 2021
As agricultural operations have become more sophisticated and automated, the electrical demands of many farms have increased, requiring enhanced needs for high quality power to operate electric motors and equipment.
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Feb 8, 2021
OSU Extension is collecting energy data on farms to better understand how peak electric demand affects electric bills.
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Jun 5, 2020
2020 LEASING YOUR LAND FOR SHALE AND SOLAR WEBINAR RECORDINGS NOW AVAILABLE
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Mar 26, 2020
In recent years, Ohio “has seen proposals for nearly a dozen new natural gas-fired power plants representing more than 9,200 megawatts [MW] and more than $15 billion in investments,” energyindepth.org reports. Plants that are currently operational include the 955-MW Oregon Energy Center, representing $880 million in investment; the 908-MW Oregon Clean Energy Center, representing $800 million in investment; and Carroll County Energy, with another $800 million in investment.
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Feb 27, 2020
What do farm landowners need to understand about the solar leasing process? As solar energy companies have “approached several landowners in Madison County” in recent months, asking to lease their land, Ohio State University Extension is hoping to help answer that question, Columbus Messenger reports. Lower solar construction costs and a change in solar energy policy is prompting investors to rush to get projects started; two solar farm projects in Madison County are currently in the pre-application process with the State of Ohio, according to the article.
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Dec 19, 2019
Members from The Ohio State University Extension Energy Team presented a Poster at the Extension Annual Conference to share the good work and availability of programming to Extension representatives across the state. Pictured from left: Gwynn Stewart, Extension Educator 3, CD Noble County and Erica Lyon, Extension Educator 2, ANR, Ohio Jefferson/Harrison Counties (Also presenting but not shown were Chris Penrose, Extension Educator, ANR, Professor, Morgan County and Christine Gelley, Extension Educator, ANR, Noble County).
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Oct 7, 2019
LONDON, Ohio — Ohio is rarely thought of as a sunny state, and never less so than in the last 12 months. Still, around the end of 2017, Eric Romich, Ohio State extension specialist for energy development, started getting calls from farmers about companies interested in leasing their land for solar energy projects.
Just as when the oil-and-gas industry moved in years ago, some farmers are seeing a new income opportunity — but there are a lot of factors to consider before signing a lease.