A round of funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is going to support clean energy in rural Kentucky communities. Most of the money comes from the federal department’s Empowering Rural America program. East Kentucky Power Cooperative will be eligible for up to $1.4 billion. They’ll use the money to create 757 megawatts of clean energy for rural Kentucky. The co-op said in a release that the money will help reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and lower the cost of electric bills. Another $5.5 million is coming from the USDA’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants. They’ll help a handful of rural organizations set up virtual health care and distance learning services. That includes County Line Primary Care in Jackson, Red Bird Mission in Bell County, the Bowling Green-Warren County Community Hospital, Lewis County Primary Care Center, Monroe County Board of Education, Webster County Board of Education, Henry County Board of Education and the Trimble County School District. Governor Beshear’s office says the telemedicine money will affect 27,700 Kentuckians, and the education grants will help 12,200. ** WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, and fact-based journalism. Monthly supporters are the top funding source for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation. The post USDA funding to support rural energy, long-distance education and healthcare appeared first on The Lexington Times.