LEAPS Act

The Leveraging Efficiency Awareness for Pumping Systems Act (LEAPS Act) would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to actively promote energy efficiency in agricultural pumping systems. Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary of Agriculture must publish user-friendly, publicly accessible information on the benefits of energy-efficient pumping (including cost savings, energy savings, water conservation, and carbon reductions) on USDA’s website. The bill also requires a pre-assessment tool to help farmers estimate potential energy and cost savings and carbon reductions from upgrading pumping systems, and a plan to educate energy auditors working with USDA on pumping-system efficiency. Additionally, the Act would expand the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to include energy-efficient pumping systems as eligible activities. A key part of the bill is defining pumping systems and ensuring information covers pumps, pipes, motors, drives, and controls, as well as relevant USDA energy programs.