The New York State Senate recently approved legislation co-sponsored by Sen. Tom O’Mara (R-Big Flats) to establish a “Dairy Farm Improved Energy Efficiency Loan Fund,” reported the Evening Tribune. The legislation passed the Senate on May 29, 60-1.
According to O’Mara, the proposed loan fund, which would be administered by the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority, would provide state grants and low-interest loans to help dairy farmers undertake energy efficiency projects and purchase cutting-edge energy technologies.“This program could help farmers enhance energy efficiency or take advantage of new technology,” O’Mara, a member of the Senate Agriculture, and Energy and Telecommunications committees, told the newspaper.
State milk producers have been challenged with low commodity prices, an outdated federal price control system and rising costs associated with running family farms.
Energy costs are particularly burdensome, according to analysts quoted by the paper. Utilities have a tougher time servicing farms because of their remote locations at the end of the electric grid infrastructure.
The legislation, which must be approved by the Assembly and signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo before becoming law, moved to the Assembly Economic Development Committee. PD
—From Evening Tribune article
