by Rebecca Walker — July 14, 2010—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that more than 54,000 customers in 20 states will benefit from electric infrastructure improvement projects funded with loan guarantees provided through U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“The Obama Administration believes that modernized infrastructure is a necessary part of the foundation for long term economic stability and prosperity and that includes a modernized electrical grid,” said Vilsack. “These loans will improve electric service for thousands of Americans, creating jobs, and expanding business and economic opportunity in America’s small towns and communities.”
USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service is providing funding that will build 4,342 miles of new distribution lines, improve 2,966 miles of existing distribution lines, build 260 miles of transmission lines, and upgrade 58 miles of exiting transmission lines. Altogether, the investments total $1.55 billion.
The funding is being provided under USDA Rural Development’s Electric Loan Program. For more information, see the Web site.
