Vermont maple syrup producers get federal energy efficiency grants
ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. - Five maple syrup producers in Vermont and one in Michigan will get federal grants to make their operations more energy efficient and competitive.
The funding from the Rural Energy for America Program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture will allow the sugar makers to install reverse osmosis systems. Those systems remove water from the sap before it's boiled down into syrup, reducing the amount of energy used.
The amount of the grants range from $24,000 to $2,000.
Officials say the REAP grants can finance up to 25% of a project's cost, up to $500,000 for renewable energy systems and $250,000 for energy efficiency improvements.
12/06/2011