DWEA has been working with the USDA to reduce paperwork requirements and level the playing field for technology awards.

Flagstaff, Ariz., May 16, 2013 - The Distributed Wind Energy Association

(DWEA), which represents the distributed and community wind industry, today
expressed appreciation to the Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee,
Sen. Debbie Stabenow, for passing the farm bill out of her committee. The
bill includes funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural
Energy for America Program (REAP). REAP provides grants, feasibility
studies, and guaranteed loans that help farmers and rural businesses invest
in wind systems that lower operating costs. The Senate bill will go to the
full Senate and must await action in the House.

For several years, DWEA has been working with the USDA to reduce paperwork
requirements and level the playing field for technology awards. Progress in
these areas was jeopardized by insecure program funding in earlier versions
of the farm bill. "We saw the prospect of a better program, which would be
easier for farmers to navigate and provide access to distributed wind
opportunities. We also continued to believe that Congress would pass
measures to support a homegrown clean energy economy based on distributed
wind," notes Jennifer Jenkins, DWEA's Executive Director.

As an example of REAP benefits, in 2010 Shinn Estate Vineyards in Mattituck,
N.Y. used a USDA REAP grant to help install a 10 kW wind system and a solar
system at their award-winning organic winery. According to David Page,
Shinn's co-owner and vintner, "The REAP grant made the numbers work for us
and allowed us to become the first winery on the east coast entirely powered
by the wind and sun. Our customers are very positive about that."

About the Distributed Wind Energy Association The Distributed Wind Energy
Association is a collaborative group comprised of manufacturers,
distributors, project developers, dealers, installers, and advocates, whose
primary mission is to promote and foster all aspects of the American
distributed wind energy industry. Distributed wind, commonly referred to as
small and community wind, is the use of typically smaller wind turbines at
homes, farms, businesses, and public facilities to off-set all or a portion
of on-site energy consumption. DWEA seeks to attract members and associates
from all sectors with relevant interests pertaining to the distributed wind
industry. For more information on DWEA, please go to
www.distributedwind.org. Follow us on Twitter @DWEA, find us, like us and
connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn by searching Distributed Wind
Energy Association.