Tri-State receives USDA Rural Energy for America’s Technical Assistance Grant

• $200,000 grant through Technical Assistance Grant program (TAG), to benefit agricultural producers and rural small businesses in Colorado.

• Tri-State to use the grant to recruit potential applicants with energy assessments and assistance to meet the technical requirements of the USDA’s REAP program.

(November 2, 2023 – Westminster, Colo.) Agricultural producers and rural small businesses in distressed or disadvantaged communities will have greater opportunities for renewable energy and energy efficiency investment with the awarding of a $200,000 grant to Tri-State from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Energy for America (REAP) Technical Assistance Grant program (TAG).

Tri-State will use the grant to recruit potential applicants, over a two-year period, for energy assessments that meet the technical requirements of the USDA’s REAP programs for energy efficiency and renewable energy.

“Working with our members, we can bolster the rural industries we serve by providing greater access to programs that support the smart use of energy and advance renewable energy,” said Reg Rudolph, Chief Energy Innovations Officer of Tri-State. “Pursuing this award to benefit our members is another example of our cooperative model in action.”

In addition, the funding will assist small businesses and agricultural producers with technical assistance to help complete and submit REAP applications for energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy projects. The Colorado Department of Agriculture also is receiving $300,000 in TAG funding to assist with its Agricultural Energy Renovation Opportunities Program.

“These technical assistance grants will provide hands-on support to farmers, ranchers, and rural small business owners seeking federal funds for renewable energy systems, like wind and solar, and energy efficiency measures,” said Armando Valdez, USDA state director for rural development. “These investments not only help producers and small businesses lower energy costs, but also access new markets and strengthen their operations.”

”We greatly encourage farmers, ranchers, and rural businesses to use these technical assistance services provided by the Colorado Department of Agriculture and Tri-State. Their contributions support increased investment in Colorado’s rural communities,” Valdez said.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas.

Additional information on how to access these resources will be available on our website at www.rd.usda.gov/co.

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About Tri-State

Tri-State is a power supply cooperative of 45 members, operating on a not-for-profit basis, including 42 utility electric distribution cooperative and public power district members in four states. Together with our members, we deliver reliable, affordable and responsible power to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West. For more information about Tri-State, visit www.tristate.coop.

Contact:

Lee Boughey, 303-254-3555, lboughey@tristategt.org
Mark Stutz, 303-254-3183, mstutz@tristategt.org

Certain information contained in this press statement are forward-looking statements including statements concerning Tri-State’s plans, future events, and other information that is not historical information. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described from time to time in Tri-State’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Tri-State’s expectations and beliefs are expressed in good faith, and Tri-State believes there is a reasonable basis for them. However, Tri-State cannot assure you that management’s expectations and beliefs will be achieved. There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein.