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USDA Repowering Assistance Program: Underutilized Pot of Gold? Even biorefinery-focused programs can offer funding for biomass projects BY SARAH BETH AUBREY
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rant writers for agriculture and renewable energy projects are often very popular at cocktail parties. Perhaps not the type of parties with ball gowns and tuxedos, but certainly at the after-the-session-free-cocktails-andsnacks sort of events common to trade show functions across the country. Yes, being the person who assists with finding and securing “free” funds tends to make grant professionals oft-engaged in conversation, if not necessarily the life of the post-session mixer. It should be realized, though, that grant writing for biomass projects has its rewards and disappointments. Consultants are certainly rainmakers for many clients when they help secure hundreds of thousands of much needed dollars. But grant professionals can be heartbreakers when they advise against
applying for the big federal money because their client’s project doesn’t meet the guidelines well enough to get an award. No one enjoys that conversation, but it is an essential part of the funding search process. It seems everyone is aware of the major grants for biomass projects and can name them easily. Anyone who worked through USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program tight grant deadline for 2012 is fully aware of just how many developers and technology providers have been browsing www.grants. gov. That being said, are there really any hidden gems left out there? Or are all of the good grants—the supposed secret pots of money—all used up?
Not Secret, But Underutilized There may not be any secrets, but there is one grant that could be considered at least
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42 BIOMASS POWER & THERMAL | MAY 2012
underutilized: USDA’s Repowering Assistance Payments to Eligible Biorefineries, commonly called the Repowering Assistance Grant. This program, accepting applications now through June 1, has up to $25 million available for eligible entities. Authorized as part of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2009, this year's allotment includes carryover funds from 2011. Individual awards can be up to $10 million and a 50 percent match is required. This funding is not exactly for biomass projects, unless you are working with an existing biorefinery. The payments will actually go to the biorefinery, similar to the way BCAP doesn’t pay the project developer directly. Sometimes having an order placed by a buyer with guaranteed funds is a grant in and of itself.