Biden-Harris administration announces the largest investment in rural electrification in nearly a century – WisPolitics

Westby, WI—President Biden is visiting Westby, Wisconsin today to announce a new $7.3 Billion Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program aimed at providing cleaner, more affordable, and more reliable electricity to rural communities. Wisconsin’s Dairyland Power Cooperative is one of the first recipients of the program, receiving $573 million towards new renewable energy projects, including solar and wind power installations, that are estimated to reduce their members’ electric rates by 42% over the next 10 years. 

These investments are part of the Biden-Harris administration’s affordable clean energy plan, which is reducing energy costs and bringing Made in America clean energy jobs at an unprecedented pace and scale. The plan is empowering Americans across cities and small towns to save money and access good-paying jobs from the clean energy transition.

“Wisconsin’s rural communities are the heart of Wisconsin. This new $573 million grant will turbocharge a clean energy transition in rural Wisconsin that will lower energy costs, ensure reliable energy access, and create new good-paying jobs. Congratulations to Dairyland Power Cooperative for being the first recipient of the New ERA grant program. This is a historic investment for rural America and Wisconsin,” said Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski.

The New ERA program is funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, which was passed in August 2022 by Congressional Democrats and Vice President Harris, who cast the deciding vote. The Inflation Reduction Action is investing close to $13 billion in rural electrification efforts across the country and is being touted as the largest investment in rural electrification since the New Deal. 

Under the Biden-Harris administration, rural Wisconsin has received millions in clean energy investments. In addition to the $573 million New ERA grant, the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) has funneled over $7.2 million to over 60 rural Wisconsin farmers and businesses in renewable energy and energy efficiency grants.