Congresswoman Kaptur Announces USDA Support to help Power PioneerPress ReleaseJobs and the EconomyEnergy

Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) announced a $10.5 Million loan through the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program for the Village of Pioneer in Williams County. This transformative low-interest loan will support the development of a 4.9-megawatt solar field and a new electrical substation, positioning Pioneer as a regional leader in clean energy innovation. The total project cost is $20 Million.

"The Village of Pioneer has shown remarkable vision and determination to harness the power of clean energy," said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). "This federal investment will deliver tangible benefits for Northwest Ohio residents including lowering energy costs, strengthening infrastructure, and promoting energy independence for years to come. I commend the community's leadership in pursuing this opportunity to power its future through renewable energy. Northwest Ohio is the solar capital of America, and I encourage other communities across our region to follow the lead of Pioneer."

The Village of Pioneer, located near the Ohio-Michigan border, will establish a new solar field and accompanying substation with this investment, reducing electricity rates for local Public Power customers by an estimated 1.5 cents per kilowatt-hour. According to the Village's projections, the project is expected to generate approximately $800,000 in annual savings for customers before debt service, primarily through reduced transmission and demand charges. The solar field will be built on land already owned by the Village of Pioneer.

Village of Pioneer Mayor Ed Kidston underscored the project's impact: "Pioneer, Ohio is a growing community in all sectors, including residential, business, and industry. To maintain future growth, Pioneer needs to remain a very economical place to live, work, and do business. As electricity rates across America continue to rise, we understood we needed to be proactive to keep our rates below average. Providing sufficient energy for our village while maintaining a small carbon footprint led us in the direction of an onsite behind-the-meter solar field"

This funding for Pioneer's project is part of the Investing in America agenda and the USDA's Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program, which is funded through the historic Inflation Reduction Act. PACE represents the largest investment in rural electrification since President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal Rural Electrification Act of 1936.

"Partnering with local governments, companies, and others to provide clean, reliable energy to rural Americans lowers people's costs, strengthens the nation's energy security, and reduces pollution," said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has made historic investments in rural America to create a more affordable and sustainable future, benefiting rural families, businesses, and the health of our planet for generations to come."

The PACE program provides low-interest loans with up to 60% loan forgiveness for renewable energy projects and energy storage in rural communities. These investments help reduce energy costs for households, spur economic growth, and ensure reliable access to clean energy.

With its 4.9-megawatt solar project, the Village of Pioneer joins communities across America in creating a more resilient energy future. The project will provide clean, affordable energy to approximately 952 households annually while fostering energy independence for the Village and positioning it as a leader in clean energy innovation for Northwest Ohio.