As part of Four County EMC’s commitment to providing innovative energy solutions, we’re excited to inform you about a new program designed to benefit our farming community: the North Carolina Beneficial Electrification for Agriculture (NC BEA) program.

This initiative offers farmers the tools and resources to replace traditional diesel or gas-powered pumps with energy-efficient electric models, reducing costs and improving efficiency.

Electrifying your irrigation system offers several benefits:

• Cost Savings: Electric motors have lower fuel and maintenance costs compared to diesel engines
• Ease of Operation: Electric motors are easier to start and control than diesel, providing more consistent operation
• Environmental Impact: Reduced air emissions and ground contamination improve your site quality

How NC BEA Supports Farmers 

The NC BEA program, with expert guidance from third-party partner EnSave, provides free technical guidance to help farmers make the switch. Services include: 

1Free Energy Audit
An audit of your irrigation operations to identify how much you can reduce operating costs by switching from diesel to electric

2Free Grant Preparation Assistance
This includes registration with the System for Award Management and gathering documentation

3Free Grant Writing Assistance
EnSave will write and submit your REAP Grant application 

 

USDA REAP Grant Opportunities 

The USDA Rural Development REAP Grant can cover 25% of your project costs, making it easier to replace traditional diesel or gas-powered pumps with energy-efficient electric models. Deadline to apply: March 31. 

Get Started Today 

To take advantage of the NC BEA’s free technical assistance, visit fourcty.org. Click on the application link, print, and complete. Then submit your enrollment form via email to BEA@ENSAVE.COM or mail to EnSave, 65 Millet Street, Suite 105, Richmond, VT 05477.