Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced loans and grants for more than 500 agricultural producers and rural small businesses across the United States to add renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives.

"This funding is an important part of the Obama administration's plan to help the nation's farmers, agricultural producers and rural small businesses conserve natural resources, create more green jobs and lead us on the path to becoming an energy independent nation," Vilsack said.

The Rural Energy for America Program is supplying the capital for the loans and grants, which was set up to offer funds for farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements.

Atlantic County in New Jersey is one example of a region in the United States looking to expand its renewable energy facilities, according to Press of Atlantic City.

The paper said last month, Atlantic County asked the Hamilton Township Committee to consider construction of windmill at an old landfill site in the township's Industrial Park. While the idea was nixed, building a hydroelectric dam at Lake Lenape became a possibility.

Recently, Atlantic County added solar panels to courthouses, offices and the Atlantic County jail, says the paper.