CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is announcing hundreds of grants nationwide to promote energy efficiency and use of renewable energy.

The grants include three in Wyoming, one of which will help to install a solar panel at Snake River Brewing Company in Jackson. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack promoted the brewery project in announcing the grants Wednesday.

In all, the USDA plans to award 544 grants nationwide totaling $6.7 million. Individual grants range from a couple thousand dollars up to $20,000.

Vilsack says the grants help farmers, ranchers and small businesses use more renewable energy and reduce energy bills.

The program has awarded $545 million for more than 8,800 projects nationwide since 2009. The USDA says the grants can save enough electricity to power more than 660,000 homes for a year.

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