Statewide Iowa (Radio Iowa) – A group representing Iowa farmers is among those suing the USDA after significant rule changes to the Rural Energy for America Program. They claim new eligibility requirements illegally cut solar projects from the program and the agency left people on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars by applying those changes retroactively. Chad Hughes is an attorney with the Environmental Law & Policy Center, which represents the Iowa Farmers Union and other groups in the lawsuit.
Hughes says many of the applicants received the go-ahead from the agency and started adding solar to their operations, but now they’re being denied funding to offset the costs. Hughes says the USDA must honor the promises made to farmers and rural business owners.
Hughes says basic rules of fairness are “baked into federal law” and the USDA undermined the intent of Congress.
Congress created REAP decades ago to help farmers and small businesses in rural communities invest in renewable energy through USDA grants and loan guarantees.
