Vermont Renewable Gas secures $1m grant to advance biomass solutions

Clean Energy Technologies has announced that Vermont Renewable Gas (VRG), an affiliate limited liability company has been selected by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as one of its Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grant recipients.
Administered by the USDA’s Rural Development Office, this current $1.05 billion initiative funded through the Inflation Reduction Act seeks to issue grants which spur economic development and catalyse rural prosperity by throughout the United States through six quarterly competitions.
VRG was selected to receive $1 million towards completion of VRG’s Vermont Renewable Gas – Lyndon (VRG – Lyndon) 2.2-megawatt renewable energy facility in Lyndon, Vermont.
VRG was selected through a competitive process against other projects in each state.
The project’s ability to generate renewable energy and environmental benefits to residents of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom using commercially available technology were among several criteria items reviewed by USDA Rural Development.
Regarding the most recently announced REAP Grant recipients, Deputy U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small stated that “REAP loans and grants will lower energy costs for farmers and small businesses and help expand their operations, all while tackling climate change.”
The USDA announcement emphasised the impact that these chosen projects will have in helping farmers and rural small businesses increase their income, grow their businesses and address climate change while lowering energy costs for American families. VRG – Lyndon will likely be included in a future grant recipient announcement by USDA.
Centred around CETY’s HTAP Biomass Reactor technology, CETY will design, build, and operate the VRG – Lyndon facility.
VRG will convert waste biomass from Northeastern Vermont’s working lands into renewable fuel gas and BioChar fertiliser.
The renewable fuel gas generated will be converted into renewable electricity and heat. The plant is expected to deliver in excess of 18,000 MWh of renewable electricity and 1,500 tons of BioChar annually and be fully commissioned within 12 months.
Kam Mahdi, CEO of CETY, stated: “CETY is delighted by the USDA’s decision to invest in VRG – Lyndon. The news of this REAP grant is a sign of USDA’s continued commitment to the VRG – Lyndon project, starting with a $300,000.00 Wood Innovations Grant through the Department’s U.S. Forest Service earlier this year.
"VRG’s combination of public and private commitments will propel VRG and CETY to achieve success in this highly profitable and growing industry. CETY values the impact that the federal Infrastructure Law and the IRA are presenting to VRG’s project. CETY looks forward to completing final permitting for the Lyndonville facility and commencing construction."