Volume 4: USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
Abstract
This volume, part of the Policy Pathways to a Low Carbon Fishing Fleet series, evaluates the performance of the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) in supporting energy efficiency initiatives for commercial fishing vessels. REAP’s purpose is to provide funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to support energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy projects. This report explores Alaska's groundbreaking use of REAP to support energy efficiency upgrades on fishing vessels, a previously underutilized opportunity due to the program's exclusion of vehicle-related projects. By reinterpreting fishing vessels as business facilities with eligible non-propulsion energy systems, partners in Alaska have facilitated over 85 energy audits since 2018 and established the state as a leader in energy efficiency investments within the fishing industry.
Alaska’s success has been further supported by the development of fishery-specific audit methodologies, the creation of technical assistance networks, and more recently, the role of expanded funding streams like the REAP Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) program under the Inflation Reduction Act. Driven by a combination of grassroots innovation and intersecting forms of support provided by multiple federal agencies (USDA, NOAA, and DOE), these advancements underscore the effectiveness of a networked approach in maximizing the impact of programs like REAP.
Drawing on interviews with stakeholders and program participants, the report highlights challenges such as a complex application process and seasonal constraints imposed by fishery work cycles, while offering recommendations for improving program accessibility. The findings underscore the value of tailored outreach and co-benefit-driven approaches – such as efficiency measures that also improve fish quality or extend fishing time – in scaling REAP’s impact across the fishing industry.
By offering a detailed analysis of Alaska’s experience, this paper lays the groundwork for enhancing REAP’s success in other coastal states. Potential recommendations include streamlining application processes, expanding outreach and technical assistance, and creating dedicated funding streams and tools for fishing vessel projects. In doing so, the program can better support a transition to more efficient fishing operations nationwide, boosting long-term resilience in the face of climate and economic challenges. This report is a starting point for fishermen and their partners in government and beyond to collaboratively design incentive programs that support a transition to a low carbon fishing fleet.
