What does this program do?
The Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP) helps rural families and small businesses achieve cost savings through loans to qualified consumers to implement durable, cost-effective energy efficiency measures.

Who may apply?
Eligible applicants under the RESP include current and former Rural Utilities Service (RUS) borrowers or their subsidiaries, and entities that meet retail electric service needs in rural areas.

What are the types of Eligible Borrowers?
RUS makes loans to corporations, states, territories, and subdivisions and agencies thereof; municipalities; people’s utility districts; and cooperative, nonprofit, limited-dividend, or mutual associations that provide or propose to provide:

• The retail electric service needs of rural areas, or
• The power supply needs of distribution borrowers under the terms of power supply arrangements satisfactory to RUS, or
• Eligible purposes under RESP, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy storage or energy conservation measures and related services, improvements, financing, or relending.

What are the terms of the loans?

• Up to 20 years at a 0% interest rate
• Up to 5% interest rate for relending to end users qualified consumers, for up to 10 years
• Up to 4% of the loan total may be used for startup costs

How may the funds be used?
Funds may be used for the purpose of implementing energy efficiency measures to decrease energy use or costs for rural families and small business.