Together, America Prospers 

Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP)
 

What does this 

program do? 

The Rural Energy Savings Program 

(RESP) provides loans to entities 

who provide energy efficiency 

services in rural areas that agree to 

make affordable loans to help 

consumers implement costeffective, energy efficiency 

measures. This program, authorized 

by Congress in the 2014 Farm Bill, 

helps to build a cleaner and more 

sustainable domestic energy sector 

for future generations. RESP will 

help lower energy bills for rural 

families and businesses and will 

reduce barriers to investment in 

energy efficiency projects or 

activities.

Who may apply 

for this program? 

Eligible applicants include current 

and former Rural Utilities Service 

(RUS) borrowers, subsidiaries of 

current or former RUS borrowers, 

entities that provide retail electric 

service in rural areas and any 

other entities that provide or 

propose to provide eligible 

purposes under RESP, including 

energy efficiency, renewable 

energy, energy storage or energy 

conservation measures and 

related services, improvements, 

financing, or relending.

How is RESP different from the 

Energy Efficiency and Conservation 

Loan Program (EECLP)? 

• RESP offers a lower-cost financing

option—a zero percent interest rate;

• RESP also has a broader pool of

eligible borrowers (utilities, nonprofit

organizations, municipalities, states

and eligible energy efficiency

service providers), while EECLP

program borrowers are limited to

utilities that serve rural areas;

• RESP offers longer loan terms:

20 years versus 15 years for EECLP

loans.

How may funds be used? 

Funds may be used to implement 

energy-saving measures, or to help 

reduce energy costs incurred by 

qualified consumers. 

How do we get started? 

Applications for the RESP program will 

be accepted on a first-come, firstserved basis until funds are depleted. 

To be considered for funding, 

applicants should submit a letter of 

intent to RESP@usda.gov. More 

information is available in the annual 

funding announcement published in 

the Federal Register. 

What are the Loan Terms? 

The RUS borrower is eligible to 

apply for a loan of up to 20 years at 

a 0 percent interest rate. (Up to 4 

percent of the loan total may be 

used for startup costs.) The RUS 

borrower can charge an interest 

rate of up to 5 percent for relending 

to qualified consumers.

What governs this program? 

These loans are made available 

under the authority of section 6407 

of the Farm Security and Rural 

Investment Act of 2002 (7 U. S.C. 

8107a) (Section 6407). 

How do I learn more? 

For more information about 

the program, please contact 

Robert Coates at 

Robert.Coates@usda.gov. 

NOTE: Because citations and other information may be subject to change, 

please always consult the program instructions listed in the section above 

titled “What Governs This Program?” You may also contact your local office for 

assistance. You will find additional forms, resources, and program information at 

rd.usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. 

Last Updated July 2020