This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
U.S. Department of Agriculture rural development program has announced grants to rural Utah businesses to implement renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in their operations.
Two projects in Sanpete County were offered grant money: KC Ranches, a turkey farm, received $50,000 to conduct a feasibility study of whether turkey litter can be used as an energy resource.
In addition, BMB Enterprises Inc. was granted $500,000 to build power lines from the Six Mile Creek area near Sterling, where the company is building a dam and a power station for four hydroelectric generators. The grant money will allow the construction of power lines from the project to the city of Manti.
Other projects include:
• Building and installing a new multi-fuel filling station in Utah County. CP Fuels LLC offers a cleaner, alternative fuel to gasoline.
• In Garfield County the USDA granted funds to the Ticaboo Electric Improvement District. It requested money to conduct a feasibility study involving the installation of solar panel arrays and four powered generators to supply the small town with electricity.
• Washakie Renewable Energy Fuel LLC of Box Elder County was awarded money to convert waste oils to biodiesel or advanced biofuel.
Grants can finance up to 25 percent of a project's cost, not to exceed $500,000 for renewable energy or $250,000 for improving efficiency.