Proposed Regulation Announced to Help People in Rural Areas Make Affordable Energy Improvements to Buildings

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a proposed regulation that will to help rural homeowners and businesses make affordable energy improvements to their homes and buildings. This effort is expected to expand job opportunities in the construction industry and save homeowners and businesses money on their energy bills. Currently 96 percent of rural cooperatives (RUS primary borrowers) have some form of an energy efficiency program. This proposed rule will help leverage and expand those programs for existing borrowers to include a relending program that enables rural utilities and cooperatives to lend to homeowners and businesses.