Effective April 1, 2026, Iowa's REAP program is not accepting applications until new USDA regulations have been released or until after Sept 30, 2026, whichever comes later.
CEDI can help your farm or rural small business apply for USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
The Clean Energy Districts of Iowa (CEDI) is a nonprofit consortium of Energy Districts based in 14 counties across Iowa. CEDI's mission is to support clean energy transition in its member districts by supporting their individual initiatives; advocating for state-level energy policy that facilitates fair and just rate-making and energy infrastructure; and by providing FREE or low-cost technical assistance to Districts and individual businesses, municipalities, and organizations in accessing state and federal funding.
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REAP was established to provide two forms of financing: guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for Renewable Energy Systems (RES) or to make Energy Efficiency Improvements (EEI). Renewable Energy System Grant require $2,500 minimum total project budget, up to a maximum of $1 million. Energy Efficiency Grants require a project budget minimum of $1,500, up to a maximum of $500,000. Agricultural producers and small business owners may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.
CEDI will assist qualifying farms and small businesses in pursuing either or both guaranteed loan financing or grant funding, with emphasis on grant funding of projects costing less than $20,000.
NOTE: Both types of USDA REAP funding require the applicant to share in the cost:
- Loan guarantees on loans up to 75 percent of total eligible project costs.
- Grants for up to 25 percent of total eligible project costs.
- Combined grant and loan guarantee funding up to 75% of total eligible project costs.
NOTE: The loan guarantee percentage is published annually in a Federal Register notice. USDA REAP loans approved in Fiscal Year 2025 will receive an 80 percent guarantee.
Additional requirements:
- Applicants must provide matching funds if applying for a grant only.
- 25% Federal grant share limited to projects that meet one of the following:
- Project is a Renewable Energy System (RES), or RES retrofit that produces zero greenhouse gas emissions (Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, or Fluorinated Gases) at the project level.
- Project is located in an Energy Community as defined in 26 USC 45(b)(11)(B) and determined by the Department of the Treasury.
- Project is an Energy Efficiency Improvement (EEI).
- Is a project proposed from an eligible Tribal Corporation or other Tribal Business entity (including agriculture operations) as described in 7 CFR part 4280.
- All other projects are limited to 25% Federal grant share
- 25% Federal grant share limited to projects that meet one of the following:
- Applicants must provide at least 25 percent of the project cost if applying for loan.
- All projects must have technical merit and utilize commercially available technology.
- Energy efficiency projects require an energy audit or assessment.
- All projects require an environmental review prior to award or construction.
- Agricultural producers and small businesses must have NO outstanding delinquent federal taxes, debt, judgment or debarment.
In 2024-25, CEDI USDA REAP technical assistance is available to farms and rural small businesses in the following counties outside of metropolitan areas (marked in brown).
- Allamakee
- Cerro Gordo
- Clayton
- Delaware
- Des Moines
- Dubuque
- Howard
- Jackson
- Johnson
- Linn
- Muscatine
- Polk
- Tama
- Winneshiek
CEDI has been granted USDA funds to provide priority assistance to customers and communities traditionally underserved by the REAP program, as well as applicants with certain types of projects. These include customers in federally identified disadvantaged communities and distressed communities, and those with smaller projects and pursuing underutilized technologies. We will make every effort to serve all interested customers, so if you’re interested, please fill out our intake form with as much detail as possible, and we’ll be in touch. This is an Equal Opportunity Program. Discrimination is prohibited by Federal Law.
A REAP project may fund any eligible renewable energy and energy efficiency measures except for solar PV systems. CEDI has special expertise in projects under $20,000 in total cost -- a great starting point for rural small businesses.
Funds may be used for the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems, such as:
- Biomass (for example: biodiesel and ethanol, anaerobic digesters, and solid fuels)
- Geothermal for electric generation or direct use
- Hydropower below 30 megawatts
- Hydrogen
- Small and large wind generation
- Small and large solar generation
- Ocean (tidal, current, thermal) generation
Funds may also be used for the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as:
- High efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC)
- Insulation
- Lighting
- Cooling or refrigeration units
- Doors and windows
- Electric, solar or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots
- Switching from a diesel to electric irrigation motor
- Replacement of energy-inefficient equipment
Check your eligibility. If you answer "Yes" to each of the following, continue to the Inquiry Form, below.
Are you located in one of CEDI's qualifying service areas (see maps above)?
Are you applying as a small business owner or farmer in one of these qualifying areas?
Do you make more than 50% of your income from farming or small businesses as defined by the SBA?
Are you applying for an eligible project -- either to create energy (Renewable Energy Systems) or to make Energy Efficiency Improvements to your farm or business?
Are you able to work with this timeline for a REAP application process?
IMPORTANT: No money may be spent on a potential REAP project until a complete application is submitted, or it will be "disqualified.”
Fill out this inquiry form.
An Energy Coach will contact you to gather more information about your proposed project.
Need more information? Contact an Energy Coach (below).
Contact an Energy Coach:
Steve Hopkins
USDA REAP Program Manager and Energy Coach
steve.hopkins@cleanenergydistricts.org | 641-831-3552
Steve works with clients in following Energy District counties:
- Allamakee
- Cerro Gordo
- Clayton
- Dubuque
- Howard
- Winneshiek
Mark Patton
USDA REAP Energy Coach
mark.patton@cleanenergydistricts.org | 563-299-1839
Mark works with clients in the following Energy District counties:
- Delaware
- Des Moines
- Jackson
- Johnson
- Linn
- Muscatine
- Polk
- Tama
Meet Our Energy Coach
Steve Hopkins
USDA REAP Program Manager and Energy Coach
steve.hopkins@cleanenergydistricts.org
(641) 831-3552
Steve Hopkins started as REAP Program Manager and Energy Coach with Clean Energy Districts of Iowa (CEDI) in the summer of 2024. He recently retired from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as Nonpoint Source Program Coordinator, where he managed programs that supported watershed projects and water quality projects to improve Iowa’s lakes, rivers, and streams. Steve worked for Iowa DNR for 24 years and has worked in natural resource conservation for over 40 years. Steve also farmed in Iowa for 20 years and began one of the first dairy farms in northeast Iowa to use prescribed rotational grazing practices. He has a B.A. in Human Ecology from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, an M.S. in Land Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and he graduated from the Iowa Certified Public Management Program at Drake University.
Steve works with clients in CEDI Energy District counties:
- Allamakee
- Cerro Gordo
- Clayton
- Delaware
- Des Moines
- Dubuque
- Howard
- Jackson
- Johnson
- Linn
- Muscatine
- Polk
- Tama
- Winneshiek
We want to thank Energy Coach Mark Patton for his service to REAP applicants in CEDI District counties throughout 2024-25. Well done!
