Energy Initiative for EQIP Fact Sheet

The cost of energy and materials associated with many conservation practices of the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) have increased over the last couple of years. NRCS now offers a special incentive to help producers deal with these rising prices.

Over the last couple of years, implementation costs have increased for some of the EQIP practices used throughout Illinois. Dramatic increases in energy costs and the costs of materials such as concrete, steel, and plastic pipe have contributed to increased installation costs. To provide some relief, a payment increase will be available until June 30, 2006 for certain conservation practices. This special offer applies to practices scheduled in EQIP contracts in 2004 and earlier and amounts to15 percent of the cost-share earned.

Example: EQIP Cost-Share Amount $5,000 x 15% = $750
Your NEW payment would be $5,750!!

This is a one-time opportunity and is only available from
March 1 to June 30, 2006 for the eligible practices listed below.

For a payment to be eligible for the 15% increase, ALL these requirements must be met:

• The EQIP contract must have been established in 1997-2004

• The practice must be on the eligible practice list (see list below)

• All bills and receipts must be submitted to the Field Office and date stamped by June 30, 2006

• The full practice must be completed and installed (partially completed practices are NOT eligible)

The payment increase is available as long as contract holders do not exceed program limits. Contracts established in 1997-2001 have a $50,000 limit per contract. 2002-2004 contracts have a $450,000 limit per individual.

See your local NRCS District Conservationist to learn more!

March 2006

NRCS Helping People Help the Land.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

A Printed Version of this fact sheet is available in Adobe Acrobat Format 6.0.

Energy Initiative for EQIP Fact Sheet
EnergyInit-fs2006.pdf (PDF, 429 kb)

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