This bill, titled the "Energy Circuit Riders Act of 2025," establishes an Energy Circuit Rider Program within the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. The program empowers the Secretary to provide grants to eligible entities, such as States, Indian Tribes, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education, for the purpose of hiring, training, and retaining Energy Circuit Riders. These Riders are trained professionals dedicated to assisting rural communities in developing and implementing energy efficiency and clean energy projects. Energy Circuit Riders will offer crucial support in areas like energy planning, conducting energy audits, identifying applicable Federal funding opportunities and tax incentives, and securing project financing. They will also assist with grant writing and community-based capacity building, serving at least two rural areas within their vicinity. The grants will cover up to 75 percent of project costs, with priority given to applications recommended by State rural development offices, and the program is authorized to receive $25,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Energy
Energy Circuit Riders Act of 2025
USA119th CongressS-2185| Senate
| Updated: 6/26/2025
This bill, titled the "Energy Circuit Riders Act of 2025," establishes an Energy Circuit Rider Program within the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. The program empowers the Secretary to provide grants to eligible entities, such as States, Indian Tribes, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education, for the purpose of hiring, training, and retaining Energy Circuit Riders. These Riders are trained professionals dedicated to assisting rural communities in developing and implementing energy efficiency and clean energy projects. Energy Circuit Riders will offer crucial support in areas like energy planning, conducting energy audits, identifying applicable Federal funding opportunities and tax incentives, and securing project financing. They will also assist with grant writing and community-based capacity building, serving at least two rural areas within their vicinity. The grants will cover up to 75 percent of project costs, with priority given to applications recommended by State rural development offices, and the program is authorized to receive $25,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.