• Wind energy has become one of the most significant sources of energy in the United States. Federal assistance for windmills and wind energy technology took a major step forward In February 2009 when Congress passed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Recovery Act offers an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, which provides the largest amount of resources for energy projects. The Rural Development Program of the U.S.Department of Agriculture U.S.D.A.) provides an additional source of grant money. Three things to consider when planning to install a windmill include a basic understanding of how grants work; the particular source of grants that apply to windmills and wind energy and the contemporary condition of wind energy.
  
  

Grants

• Federal grants are forms of assistance provided by the federal government to assist projects that promote the public good. Federal grants are not given to individuals. The recipients of grants are state and local governments/townships, nonprofit organizations, and some public agencies. The recipients are responsible for spending the funds appropriately.
  
  Different federal agencies are responsible for dispersing funds. The best source of information in seeking federal grants is Grants.gov. This is a site created by the federal government in 2002 to improve government service to the public. This site will inform you about,types of grants, the relevant government agency and the application procedures.
  
  There are four types of federal grants: project grants, categorical grants, block, grants and earmark grants. Each of these grants is divided into several categories and is dispersed by different federal agencies.The grants most applicable to windmills can be found on the Grants.gov homepage listed under the categories Energy, Environment, Regional Development, and the Recovery Act. The relevant information is made available by clicking on the category name.
  
  

Grants Applicable to Wind Energy

• The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is the most significant source of funding for energy issues. It provides $40 billion for energy and renewable energy programs. The Recovery Act provides this money as Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants. The goal is to provide the cheapest, cleanest and most reliable energy technology, to empower local communities and to promote energy independence. The total amount of money available is $3.2 billion. The eligible entities that can receive the money are U. S. states, territories, local governments, and Indian tribes.
  
  An additional source of funding is provided by the Rural Development Program of the U.S.D.A. The Rural Development Program provides $34.9 million for 111 projects in 35 states. The goal of the Rural Development Program is to improve the quality of life for rural residents by providing funds for energy, water, housing, and environmental issues. This may provide individuals the opportunity to install windmills for home use.
  
  

Wind Energy Information

• In order to write a well-informed grant proposal, it is helpful to have up-to-date information The American Wind Energy Association ((A.W.E.A.) provides valuable information about wind energy, legislation affecting the wind industry and details about wind energy projects and programs in different states. The A.W.E.A. has a variety of resources such as conferences, weekly publications and news about current events. Knowledge about current events will keep you informed about legislation and other issues that affect sources of funding for windmills.