Grants Available for On-Farm Energy Projects

"The purpose of this program is to help rural communities in Colorado by developing agricultural energy related projects," said Tom Lipetzky, Markets Division Director of the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

"Biofuels, ethanol and wind energy are just a few examples of projects that can benefit both agriculture and the environment."

Funds will be allocated in three categories: feasibility studies, project participation, & research. Interested applicants are required to provide a matching contribution of at least 10 percent of the total project budget, and funds may not be utilized for paying down current debt, general administrative expenses or for indirect institutional overhead costs. Applications and a $50 nonrefundable application fee must be received by September 17, 2008.

Applicants are encouraged to visit www.colorado.gov\ag\energy for full details on how to apply as well as a listing of current and completed projects since the program began. Visitors are able to search for current ACRE projects by renewable energy type such as biofuel, biogas, wind and solar among others; or by county.

Since 2006, the Colorado Agricultural Value Added Development Board has administered the ACRE program to provide funding to promote energy-related projects beneficial to Colorado’s agriculture industry.

One recipient of teh ACRE grant recently was Blue Sun Biodiesel.

The company earned the ACRE grant from the state to commercialise a non-food energy crop, camelina, for use in biodiesel. The crop is estimated to bring $80 million to Colorado's economy.

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