S. 2185 — Energy Circuit Riders Act of 2025

This section establishes the Energy Circuit Rider Program under Subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008 et seq.), under which the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Under Secretary for Rural Development, provides grants to eligible entities—including states, Indian tribes (as defined in 25 U.S.C. 5304), nonprofit organizations, cooperative extension services, institutions of higher education, and regional planning commissions—for hiring, training, and retaining Energy Circuit Riders. Grants have terms of more than 3 but not more than 6 years, with a federal share of up to 75 percent of costs; the Secretary gives priority to applications recommended by relevant state rural development offices. Energy Circuit Riders provide professional assistance—including on energy planning and audits, federal and state incentives, project financing, grant writing, and capacity building—to at least two rural areas and may aid eligible entities in applying for loans under section 6407(c) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107a(c)) or assistance under the Rural Energy for America Program (7 U.S.C. 8107). The Secretary must facilitate best-practices sharing among Energy Circuit Riders; make available information on federal incentives from other agencies (e.g., Energy, Transportation); and submit annual reports to Congress on program accomplishments, including energy savings, monetary savings to communities, and carbon emission reductions. The section authorizes $25 million for each of FY2026 through FY2030.