Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program

REAP funds renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, energy audits, and renewable energy development assistance for agricultural producers and rural small businesses. The grant portion for energy audits and development assistance is available to State, Tribal, or local governments and their instrumentalities, institutions of higher education, rural electric cooperatives, public power entities, and councils. The notice says the estimated number of awards is 1,000, with $50 million in anticipated mandatory funding for fiscal year 2016. For renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement projects, federal funding cannot exceed 75 percent of eligible project costs, and the federal grant portion cannot exceed 25 percent; for energy audit grants, the producer or small business must pay at least 25 percent of the audit cost. The notice also sets aside 20 percent of fiscal year 2016 funds through June 30, 2016 for grants of $20,000 or less.