Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Showcases Biden-Harris Administration’s Wildfire Resilience Investments in Arizona
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently visited two communities in Arizona to showcase USDA investments aimed at protecting communities and natural resources from wildfire and drought, expanding access to clean energy, creating jobs, and building resilient communities.
“The Biden-Harris Administration recognizes the unique challenges that Western states like Arizona face due to Climate Change,” said Secretary Vilsack. “We are committed to investing in innovative solutions to help Arizona communities reduce wildfire risk and adapt to drought. Additionally, we are focusing on the future by investing in clean energy infrastructure, job creation, and prosperity in rural areas.”
During a Town Hall event in Marana, Secretary Vilsack announced a $7.3 billion financing initiative for rural electric cooperatives through the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program. This funding, made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, represents the largest investment in rural electrification since 1936. Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO) will receive approximately $485 million to transition its power portfolio to renewable energy sources, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by over 1 million tons. This initiative is expected to create 600 new jobs in construction and long-term jobs in renewable energy.
Furthermore, Secretary Vilsack highlighted other clean energy investments made through USDA Rural Development programs. These include the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) projects and the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which aim to make clean energy accessible to rural communities and support renewable energy and energy efficiency projects for rural business owners in Arizona.
In Tempe, Secretary Vilsack participated in a roundtable discussion focused on the impacts of extreme weather events, wildfires, drought, and water scarcity. He emphasized USDA’s investments in increasing wildfire resilience and water conservation in Arizona, such as the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, Community Wildfire Defense Grants, water-saving commodity projects, and the Western Water and Working Lands Framework for Conservation Action.
Overall, USDA is working towards transforming America’s food system, promoting local and regional food production, ensuring fair markets for producers, enhancing access to safe and nutritious food, making investments in rural infrastructure and clean energy, and promoting equity across the Department. For more information, visit www.usda.gov.
USDA is committed to equal opportunity in providing services, employment, and lending opportunities.
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Sophie Müller completed her studies at ETH Zurich in Switzerland, earning a degree in Environmental Sciences with a concentration in agroecology. Her research explored the interactions between crops and their environment, particularly in relation to organic farming systems. Sophie is now a research scientist, focusing on agroecological practices that promote biodiversity and reduce environmental impact in agriculture.