The Department of Agriculture celebrated Earth Day Thursday by announcing a $487 million infrastructure investment to help communities in 45 states. USDA says the funding will help communities build back better and stronger while prioritizing climate-smart solutions and environmental stewardship. USDA is making the investments under the Water and Environmental Program, the Rural Energy for America Program, the Electric Loan Program and the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program. The investments include $374 million through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in 31 states. The funding also includes $78 million in renewable energy infrastructure in 30 states through the Rural Energy for America Program, and $17.4 million in loans in New Mexico and South Dakota through the Electric Loan Program. Finally, USDA is using $18.4 million in 20 states through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program to build infrastructure to help expand the availability of higher-blend renewable fuels by approximately 218 million gallons per year.

USDA invests $487 million in rural water, energy, and biofuel infrastructure