AUBURN – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced loans and grants for more than 500 agricultural producers and rural small businesses across the country to implement renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in their operations.

“This funding is an important part of the Obama Administration’s plan to help the nation’s farmers, agricultural producers and rural small businesses conserve natural resources, create more green jobs and lead us on the path to becoming an energy independent nation,” Vilsack said.

The grants and loan guarantees are being provided through the Rural Energy for America Program, a 2008 Farm Bill initiative. REAP offers funds for farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements.

Four Maine businesses will receive a total of $305,622 in grant funds to reduce energy consumption. Among those was Lamey Wellehan, in Auburn, selected to receive $47,453 to assist in acquiring and installing a large solar photovoltaic system. This system converts solar energy directly into electricity. The grant leveraged $142,360 from the grantee, and the system is expected to offset 58 percent of the company’s annual electricity consumption.