34 Organizations Petition USDA to Exclude Manure Digesters from REAP Funding
A coalition of 34 organizations has urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to exclude anaerobic digesters at industrial livestock operations from the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) funding, arguing that it primarily benefits large farms while diverting taxpayer dollars from more effective energy solutions. The petition highlights that these digesters received significantly higher loan guarantees compared to solar projects, yet produce less energy per dollar, exacerbating environmental issues and undermining support for small farmers. Additionally, Earthjustice has filed a lawsuit against the USDA for withholding public records related to digester funding decisions.
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A coalition of 34 organizations has petitioned the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Business-Cooperative Service to exclude anaerobic digesters at industrial livestock operations from grants and loans under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
The petition highlights that funding for these digesters, which capture methane from manure, primarily benefits large industrial farms and diverts taxpayer dollars from more effective energy solutions. Over the past five years, new manure digesters received average loan guarantees of $18.7 million, nearly three times the amount for solar projects, while yielding significantly less energy per dollar.
Earthjustice has also filed a lawsuit challenging the USDA's withholding of public records concerning digester funding decisions. The petition argues that continued funding for digesters exacerbates environmental issues and undermines the program's goals of supporting small farmers and rural economies.
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