Rural Energy for America (REAP) Modernization Act

What it does

If Congress passes it, this bill would make it easier for farmers, rural electric cooperatives and small businesses to access funding to install renewable energy systems. The bill would strengthen the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), specifically by:

• Increasing the available cost share for REAP grants and the small project grant limit;
• Streamlining the application process;
• Improving outreach, technical assistance, and education;
• Allowing agricultural producer cooperatives and rural electric cooperatives to apply for financial assistance on a case-by-case basis;
• Establishing a study on dual use of farmland for both energy production and traditional farming;
• Making reduction of greenhouse gases a more integral part of the REAP program mission;
• Establishing a reserve fund for underutilized technologies.

Who supports this bill?

The REAP Modernization Act is a bicameral, bipartisan bill, which means it has some support in both the Senate and the House, as well as among both Republicans and Democrats. Representative Abigail Spanberger and Senator Tina Smith introduced the bill. In the House, this bill is referred to as H.R. 5051 and these Representatives are already supporting the bill. In the Senate, this bill is referred to as S. 2594, and these Senators are already supporting the bill.

This bill is endorsed by National Farmers Union, Environmental Defense Fund and Nature Conservancy, among other groups.

Want to support this bill?

You can call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to be connected with your elected officials. An operator will ask for your address and then forward your call to friendly staff who work for the people elected to represent you. As a constituent in their district, your voice matters!

If your Senators and House Representative aren’t already on the list of cosponsors who support the bill:

• Ask your two Senators to “cosponsor the REAP Modernization Act, S. 2594.”
• Ask your House Representative to “cosponsor the REAP Modernization Act, H.R. 5051.”

If your elected officials are already supporting the REAP Modernization Act, you can always contact them to thank them and help spread the word among your networks.

Resources

If you’d like to learn more about the REAP Modernization Act, you can:

• Find detailed instructions for calling or writing your Senators and Representative (tip: enter your address)
• Track the bill’s progress on Congress.gov or GovTrack
• Learn why lawmakers support this bill (Senator Tina Smith’s press release)
• Read the full bill text

See more bills worthy of your support in the 2023 Farm Bill.