지구의 날을 맞아 미국 농무부(USDA : U.S. Department of Agriculture)가 농촌 상하수도 서비스를 개선과 신재생 에너지 촉진 및 미국 전역 에너지 자원을 효율적으로 사용하기 위한 프로젝트를 지원하겠다고 발표했다.

USDA는 또한, 농촌 개발을 위한 물과 환경 프로그램(WEP : Water and Environmental Program)을 통해 상하수도 인프라 프로젝트를 위해 상하수도 개선 프로젝트 37개와 신 재생 에너지 프로젝트 25개에 1억1천200만 달러 이상의 금액을 지원하고 있다.

 

 

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is celebrating Earth Day today by announcing support for projects to improve rural water and wastewater services, promote renewable energy, and promote the efficient use of energy resources across the United States. Further, the organization is providing the funding for water and wastewater infrastructure projects through Rural Development's Water and Environmental Program (WEP).

 

In all, USDA is funding 37 water and wastewater projects and 25 renewable energy projects totaling more than $112 million. The city of Crete, Neb., for example, has been selected for an $11.7-million WEP loan and a $1.7-million WEP grant to replace its wastewater treatment facility. In Missouri, Rural Development awarded a $1.6-million loan to help the city of Holts Summit build a regional pump station at its wastewater treatment facility. The town of Henderson, Md., is also receiving a $175,000 grant to make emergency repairs to its water system.

 

This year's Earth Day celebrations also highlight the role of renewable energy systems in maintaining environmental quality. Twenty-five organizations have been selected for energy audit and renewable energy development assistance grants through USDA's popular Rural Energy for America Program. The grants support programs to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses evaluate energy-efficiency systems and determine the most effective and affordable method of incorporating renewable energy technologies into their operations. Eligible recipients are government bodies, utilities and institutions of higher education.

 

[출처 = Water World / 2015년 4월 22일]