USDA Secretary Highlights Wildfire, Rural Investments in Tempe and Marana

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Arizona to promote the Biden-Harris Administration's investments in wildfire resilience and clean energy.Photo byKarsten WürthonUnsplash

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Arizona on Thursday to highlight the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to strengthen wildfire resilience, expand clean energy, and promote rural prosperity, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

During stops in Marana and Tempe, Vilsack emphasized the USDA's commitment to protecting communities from climate-related challenges, including wildfires and drought.

“The Biden-Harris Administration understands that Western states like Arizona face unique challenges related to our changing climate,” said Vilsack.

“We are investing historic resources in innovative solutions to help Arizona communities reduce wildfire risk and adapt in the face of drought. At the same time, we are looking to the future by investing in clean energy infrastructure, creating new jobs, and building prosperity in rural communities.”

In Marana, Vilsack hosted an Investing in America Town Hall at Trico Electric Cooperative.

He discussed the $7.3 billion investment in rural electric cooperatives under the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.

This initiative represents the largest investment in rural electrification since 1936, according to the USDA.

Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO) will receive $485 million to invest in renewable energy and energy storage across the Southwest.

The projects are expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 1 million tons and create 600 jobs during construction, with 30 long-term positions supported by worker retraining programs, the USDA reported.

USDA Secretary Vilsack visited Tempe, Arizona, to highlight Biden-Harris Administration investments in wildfire resilience and drought.Photo byMarcus KauffmanonUnsplash

Later, in Tempe, Vilsack joined Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego for a roundtable at Salt River Project to discuss the impacts of extreme heat, wildfire, and drought.

Vilsack highlighted the USDA’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which focuses on reducing wildfire risks in Arizona’s most vulnerable communities through funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.

The USDA has committed over $7 million to Arizona communities for wildfire defense through the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program, according to the USDA.

The agency is also investing $400 million to help Western farmers conserve water, with $30 million allocated to two Arizona irrigation districts, the USDA said.

These initiatives are part of USDA's broader effort to enhance climate resilience and support rural communities throughout the West, according to the USDA.