On October 2, 2026, the Department of Agriculture's Rural Business-Cooperative Service announced a final rule to revise the application process for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). REAP provides financial assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for energy systems and/or improvements.
The final rule was published on October 1 in the Federal Register and includes a comment period. Among other changes, it disincentivizes development of solar photovoltaic and wind energy systems on cropland. 91 Fed. Reg. 62600 (Oct. 1, 2026).