Archive for April, 2006
Rehberg Announces USDA Grant for Liberty County Wind Energy Project
WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded Bear Paw Development Corporation a $25,740 grant to fund a feasibility study looking into the development of a 20 Megawatt wind generation facility in Liberty County.
“Montana has a bright future as a potential leader in the next generation of energy production in this country,” said Rehberg, a member of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee. “I’ll continue to encourage the study and development of new technologies that can harness Montana’s vast wind energy potential. Money from the federal government helps get these types of projects off the ground,” Rehberg said.
Paul Tuss, Executive Director of Bear Paw Development Corporation agrees. “The large Judith Gap wind farm began with a feasibility study funded by USDA grant money,” Tuss said. “The significance of these funding sources can’t be over-emphasized as an important piece of the overall puzzle, and they are often critical in the early stages of a project.”
The USDA will distribute the funds to Bear Paw Development through its Rural Development program. Bear Paw Development is a private, non-profit local economic development organization that helps administer economic development programs in five counties, (Blaine, Chouteau, Hill, Liberty, Phillips), and two reservations, (Fort Belknap, Rocky Boy’s), in north-central Montana.