The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development has granted $8.7 million to the Fox Islands Electric Cooperative to repower and upgrade its 4.5-megawatt onshore wind farm, as well as build a solar array over a capped landfill.

The project is to create approximately 25 short-term jobs and provide power to more than 1,500 homes, according to a Jan. 10 news release from USDA.

Fox Islands Electric Cooperative, a nonprofit, member-owned service, covers North Haven and Vinalhaven, two islands in Penobscot Bay that lie approximately 11 and 14 miles, respectively, from Rockland.

The co-op was founded 50 years ago with financing from the USDA Rural Utilities Service and assets acquired from Vinalhaven Light & Power. Since 2014 FIEC has owned the wind turbines used to generate the majority of the islands’ energy needs through a wholly owned subsidiary, Fox Islands Wind.

Maine is one of 28 states to receive funding through from Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program that helps rural Americans transition to clean, affordable, and reliable energy to lower energy costs and improve health outcomes.

“The residents of Maine’s unbridged islands are known for their tenacity and ingenuity,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Rhiannon Hampson, in the release. “At Rural Development, we’re proud to help residents of the Fox Islands continue that tradition by supporting them in generating the power they need to keep their homes, businesses, and schools operating. Given our historical involvement with this co-op, it feels even more special to be able to celebrate this investment now. When the effects of climate change are creating significant challenges for our offshore communities, we are glad to partner with FIEC to do what we can to ensure a safer tomorrow.”

“These projects are the next step in the Fox Islands’ path toward energy independence, securing reliable, affordable, and responsible sources of energy for the Fox Islands,” said Fox Islands Wind’s CEO Amy Turner, in the same release. “We appreciate the USDA’s investment and recognition that Fox Islands Wind’s New ERA projects integrate natural resources with modern technology to advance small grid capabilities while preserving our rich cultural heritage.”

New ERA program funding is available to member-owned rural electric cooperatives.

USDA has now awarded roughly 90% of the total funding available through the program, which is part of the Inflation Reduction Act. This represents more than $14.5 billion in grants and loans benefiting 35 states. Details of all of the awards are available on the New ERA website.