USDA Announces the Largest Investment in Rural Electrification Since The New Deal

Westby, WI — President Biden visited Westby, Wisconsin, yesterday 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. Texas’ San Miguel Electric Cooperative is one of 16 rural electric cooperatives selected to deliver cleaner, more affordable, and more resilient electricity to rural co-op members. San Miguel Electric Cooperative will use New ERA funding to provide renewable energy to 47 counties across rural South Texas. This new investment is projected to create 600 new jobs and save co-op members $1.09 billion, while reducing pollution by over 1.8 million tons annually. The 600 megawatts of clean, renewable energy through solar voltaic panels and a battery storage represents 150% of the capacity of the co-op’s coal plant.

This investment is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s clean energy plan, which is reducing energy costs and creating clean energy jobs at a rapid pace, including over 24,000 good-paying jobs in Texas. 

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 Act 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 Texas has received millions in clean energy investments. In addition to the New ERA grant, the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) has funneled over $16 million to over 25 rural Texas farmers and businesses in renewable energy and energy efficiency grants.

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