Achieving a net-zero emissions future will require a significant expansion in the use of zero or low-carbon electricity. This transition will demand an economy-wide shift, including in the agricultural sector. If “electrify everything” is the answer to increasing the use of clean electricity and reducing emissions, “beneficial electrification” is the key to making that shift while ensuring grid reliability and limiting customer costs.

In 2022, the agricultural sector produced 10.0% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions—equivalent to 635.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. While most agricultural emissions are attributable to livestock and soil management practices, fuel combustion still contributes 6.4% of national agricultural emissions. Electric utilities across the United States are offering significant rebates and special rates to encourage a transition to efficient electric equipment. Unfortunately, these programs often overlook the agricultural sector, focusing instead on residential and commercial customers. This report explores the need for additional education, collaboration, and policy solutions to ensure farms and agribusinesses can access these cost-saving incentives and contribute to the clean energy transition.

The report is authored by Marnie Avila Alvarez, LLM Fellow in Energy Law ’23; Genevieve Byrne, Professor of Law, Interim Director of Energy Clinic, and Staff Attorney for the Farm and Energy Initiative; and Will Fridlund, Program Coordinator and Researcher, Institute for Energy and the Environment.

The Farm and Energy Initiative is a collaboration between the VLGS Center for Agriculture and Food Systems and VLGS Institute for Energy and the Environment.

This publication was made possible with support from the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Library, Agricultural Research Service.