Production Incentives for Cellulosic Biofuels; Reverse Auction Procedures and Standards, 52867-52873 [E9-24778]

Agencies

• Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
• DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 198 (Thursday, October 15, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52867-52873]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-24778]



========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. 
Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each 
week.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 198 / Thursday, October 15, 2009 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 52867]]



DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

10 CFR Part 452

RIN 1904-AB73


Production Incentives for Cellulosic Biofuels; Reverse Auction 
Procedures and Standards

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. 
Department of Energy.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) today publishes a final rule 
establishing the procedures and standards for reverse auctions of 
production incentives for cellulosic biofuels pursuant to section 942 
of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005).

DATES: This final rule is effective November 16, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lawrence J. Russo, Jr., Office of 
Biomass Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Mailstop EE-2E, Room 5H021, 
1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585; (202) 586-5618 or 
larry.russo@ee.doe.gov; or Mr. Edward Myers, Office of the General 
Counsel, U.S. Department of Energy, Mailstop GC-72, Room 6B-256, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585; (202) 586-3397 or 
edward.myers@hq.doe.gov.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background and Overview
II. Discussion of Comments and Modifications of Proposed Rule
    A. Comments of Dupont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol, LLC
    B. Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
    C. Heating Value
    D. Commercial Suitability
III. Regulatory Review
    A. Executive Order 12866
    B. National Environmental Policy Act
    C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
    D. Paperwork Reduction Act
    E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
    F. Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 1999
    G. Executive Order 13132
    H. Executive Order 12988
    I. Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001
    J. Executive Order 13211
    K. Consultation
    L. Congressional Notification
IV. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

I. Background and Overview

    Section 942 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. 109-58 
(August 8, 2005), requires the Secretary of Energy (Secretary), in 
consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of 
Defense, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, 
to establish an incentive program for the production of cellulosic 
biofuels and to implement that program by means of a ``reverse 
auction.'' Section 942(a) states that the purposes of the program are 
to: ``(1) Accelerate deployment and commercialization of biofuels; (2) 
deliver the first one billion gallons of annual cellulosic biofuel 
production by 2015; (3) ensure biofuels produced after 2015 are cost 
competitive with gasoline and diesel; and (4) ensure that small 
feedstock producers and rural small businesses are full participants in 
the development of the cellulosic biofuels industry.'' In order to 
achieve these purposes, the Secretary is to award production incentives 
on a per gallon basis to eligible entities by means of a reverse 
auction. Under section 942, the auction is conducted annually until the 
earlier of the first year that annual production of cellulosic biofuels 
in the United States reaches one billion gallons or 10 years after 
enactment of EPAct 2005.
    In order to implement section 942, DOE is promulgating this final 
rule establishing procedures for the reverse auction and standards for 
making production incentive awards. The eligibility standards include 
both pre-auction requirements which must be met prior to an entity's 
participation in a reverse auction under section 942 and several post-
auction standards which must be met as a condition of receiving an 
award. The post-auction standards are especially necessary if the 
nation is to achieve the long-term goals of section 942, including 
delivery of the first one billion gallons of annual cellulosic biofuel 
production by the statutory deadline, and establishment of a biofuels 
industry that is cost competitive with gasoline and diesel. The post-
auction standards are thus intended to ensure that successful bidders 
make real and meaningful progress toward the production of cellulosic 
biofuels in commercially significant quantities. DOE believes that as 
successive auctions yield more and more production of cellulosic 
biofuels, the nation will move closer to achieving section 942's long-
term national goal of a commercially viable production capability after 
2015. In addition, by setting forth clear pre-auction and post-auction 
standards, DOE believes that only the most serious entities will seek 
to participate in each reverse auction.

II. Discussion of Comments and Modifications of Proposed Rule

A. Comments of Dupont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol, LLC

    On December 23, 2008, DOE published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(NOPR) in the Federal Register, 73 FR 78663, proposing the issuance of 
this rule and inviting public comment on the proposal. In response, DOE 
received only one set of comments--from Dupont Danisco Cellulosic 
Ethanol, LLC (Dupont Danisco).
    Dupont Danisco offered the following recommendations:
    [cir] Eligibility Criteria. Tighten the eligibility criteria for 
bidders, including the addition of requirement that a bidder must have 
previously demonstrated its refining technology in a pilot plant; that 
DOE employ a review panel to qualify bidders; and that putative bidders 
must submit pro forma financial statements.
    [cir] Bidding Process. Adopt an anonymous iterative, open bidding 
process and clarify whether bids are to cover one year or multiple 
years and/or total volume production for a specific site or multiple 
sites for a single entity. The comments recommend that the rule should 
permit incentive awards that are site specific and for multiple years 
and that a bidder also should be able to bid in subsequent years for 
uncovered production volumes at the same site.
    [cir] Bidder Defaults. Where the bidder defaults due to a failure 
to fulfill annual production obligations, (a) only the

[[Page 52868]]

shortfall should be considered to be in default and only the dollar 
value of the shortfall should be added to the amount of incentives 
eligible in the next auction round; or, in the alternative, (b) 
defaulted monies should be allocated to the next lowest \1\ non-winning 
bidder in the auction in which the defaulting bidder won its award.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The commenter uses the term ``next highest bid'' but, given 
the context of a reverse auction, we understand him to mean ``next 
lowest bid.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    [cir] Force Majeure. DOE should provide a reasonable time extension 
for performance by the successful bidder where there has been a delay 
due to a force majeure event.
    [cir] Transfer of Awards. Awards should be site specific but 
transferable to entities producing at that site.
    DOE agrees with the commenter that, as a condition of eligibility 
for participation in reverse auctions under the rule, bidders should 
have to demonstrate that the technologies which they employ have been 
first demonstrated as effective processes for biofuels refining, and 
the final rule incorporates this recommendation in the definition of 
``eligible cellulosic biofuels production facility'' in section 452.2. 
Likewise, DOE agrees that bidders must submit audited or pro forma 
financial statements as a condition of eligibility, as reflected in 
section 452.4(a)(2). These two modifications of the NOPR should help to 
ensure that only capable and financially fit entities participate in 
the reverse auctions. On the other hand, the rule does not adopt the 
commenter's recommendation for the establishment of a review panel. The 
review of bidders' qualifications is a governmental function. While DOE 
may employ a panel to assist it in this review, in the manner suggested 
by the commenter, DOE is not convinced of the need for it in this 
situation.
    DOE appreciates the commenter's recommendation for the adoption of 
an anonymous, iterative bidding process. However, it is not clear at 
this time that an iterative bidding process would improve the bidding 
process or the quality of the bids received. It warrants noting that 
DOE had specifically solicited public comment on the question of 
potential benefits from use of such an open iterative bidding process 
but, other than the single recommendation described above, received 
none. Accordingly, DOE will carefully monitor the procedures adopted in 
this final rule. Over time, DOE may reconsider whether an open 
iterative bidding scheme would be helpful.
    With respect to whether a bid is site specific and/or entity 
specific, or whether a bid is to cover only a single year or multiple 
years, DOE intends that each bid should identify a projected level of 
production on a per gallon, site, entity, and year specific basis for a 
six year production period. Bids thus must contain projections of 
anticipated production volumes for each of the six years covered by the 
bid. The final rule provides clarification of these matters in section 
452.5(b). Additionally, DOE intends that a bidder should be able to bid 
for additional incentives for uncovered production volumes in 
subsequent years at the same site where an award has already been made. 
Also see, section 452.5(b).
    DOE has revised section 452.6 to address the question of force 
majeure events. Section 452.6(b) contains language that would allow a 
reasonable extension of time to be granted at DOE's discretion to 
winning bidders to fulfill their obligations under their production 
agreements with DOE.
    Absent a force majeure event, however, the final rule provides, in 
section 452.6(c) that a winning bidder must produce at least 50 percent 
of its annual obligation under the production agreement in order to 
avoid a default and the revocation of its award. Assuming that at least 
50 percent of its annual obligation is produced in any calendar year 
covered by the production agreement, any shortfall will be added to the 
production obligation for the following year.
    The final rule, however, adopts the commenter's alternate 
recommendation as regards defaults, i.e., if there is still a shortfall 
at the end of the last calendar year covered by the production 
agreement, the shortfall will be allocated to the next best (lowest) 
bidder in the auction round won by the bidder that is party to the 
production agreement. If, however, the next best bidder fails to enter 
into a production agreement with DOE within 30 days after being 
notified of its award, the shortfall will be allocated instead to the 
next reverse auction. See, section 452.5(d).
    As proposed in the NOPR, DOE also agrees with the commenter that 
awards should be site specific but transferable to eligible entities 
that succeed to ownership of the site. Section 452.5(g) has been 
revised to clarify this intent.

B. Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007

    Title II of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, Pub. 
L. 110-140 (December 19, 2007) (EISA), directs the Administrator of the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise that agency's 
regulations implementing section 211(o)(1) of the Clean Air Act, 42 
U.S.C. 7545(o), to ensure, inter alia, that transportation fuel sold or 
introduced into commerce in the United States on an annual average 
basis, contains at least a specified minimum volume of renewable fuel, 
advanced biofuel, cellulosic biofuel, or biomass-based diesel. Pursuant 
to EISA section 202, the minimum volume requirement for cellulosic 
biofuel, as defined in EISA, is 1 billion gallons by the year 2013. The 
term ``cellulosic biofuel'' is defined in section 201 of EISA as 
``renewable fuel derived from any cellulose, hemicellulose, or lignin 
that is derived from renewable biomass and that has lifecycle 
greenhouse gas emissions, as determined by the Administrator, that are 
at least 60 percent less than the baseline lifecycle greenhouse gas 
emissions.''
    To date, the Administrator of the EPA has not issued the 
regulations required under section 202 of EISA. Nonetheless, DOE is 
mindful that the EPA regulations, once promulgated, could affect 
reverse auctions established by this final rule. In particular, if the 
renewable fuel standard for ``cellulosic biofuel'' under EISA is 
achieved, the last reverse auction required under section 942 of EPAct 
2005 may occur in 2013, rather than 2015, the target provided under 
EPAct for refining 1 billion gallons of cellulosic biofuels on an 
annual basis. However, this presupposes that the ``cellulosic biofuel'' 
used to meet the renewable fuel standard under EISA also qualifies as 
``cellulosic biofuels'' for purposes of this final rule.
    That may not be the case, however. The definition of ``cellulosic 
biofuel'' in section 201 of EISA is different from the definition used 
in EPAct and this final rule. The final rule defines ``cellulosic 
biofuel'' as ``any liquid fuel produced from cellulosic feedstocks'' 
and ``cellulosic feedstock means any lignocellulosic feedstock as 
defined by EPAct, section 932(a)(2).'' Thus the final rule attempts to 
be consistent with the definition used elsewhere in EPAct. In the 
absence of final regulations implementing the renewable fuel standard 
of EISA, the definitions established in the later-enacted legislation 
cannot be imported to this final rule without the possibility that the 
EPA regulations may further refine the statutory definitions.
    Nevertheless, DOE retains discretion to later modify the definition 
used in this final rule in order to make it consistent with the 
regulations implementing EISA, if sound public

[[Page 52869]]

policy considerations support such a modification within the parameters 
established by EPAct. After EPA promulgates its regulations 
implementing section 202 of EISA, DOE will review this final rule to 
determine whether it is feasible and appropriate to reconcile the terms 
and definitions of both rules.

C. Heating Value

    In an effort to treat all potential biofuels equally, section 452.5 
of this final rule modifies the proposed rule by requiring bidders to 
set forth their calculation of the fuel selected for their bids on a 
gasoline equivalent volumetric basis using the lower heating Btu value 
(LHV) of the fuel compared to the LHV of gasoline. Awards similarly 
shall be issued on a gasoline equivalent volumetric basis. The gasoline 
equivalent volumes are to be calculated by multiplying the gallons of 
biofuels times the LHV of the fuel divided by 116,090 Btu per gallon 
(the LHV of gasoline). An example, in the case of ethanol, would be 1 
gallon of ethanol times 76,330 Btu per gallon (the LHV of ethanol) 
divided by 116,090 (the LHV of gasoline). Consequently, 1 gallon of 
ethanol would be 0.6575 gasoline equivalent gallons. A table with most 
common fuels heating values can be found at: https://cta.ornl.gov/bedb/appendix_a/Lower Higher--Heating--Values--for--Various--Fuels.xls.

D. Commercial Suitability

    This final rule modifies section 452.4(a)(2) of the proposed rule 
by clarifying that bidders must demonstrate in their pre-auction 
eligibility submissions that, in addition to other requirements set 
forth in section 452.4, they will produce a cellulosic biofuel which 
either currently is suitable for widespread general use as a 
transportation fuel or, alternatively, that the cellulosic biofuel will 
be suitable for such use in a timeframe and in sufficient volumes to 
significantly contribute to the goal of 1 billion gallons of refined 
cellulosic biofuel by the statutory deadline. Those pre-auction 
eligibility submissions proposing fuels that are not currently widely 
accepted and available as a transportation fuel also must describe a 
clear path to achieving the status of an acceptable liquid 
transportation cellulosic biofuel. This description may include, but is 
not limited to the following:
     Obtaining vehicle manufacturer(s) approval;
     Obtaining EPA fuel registration(s);
     Establishing standards for use, production, storage, 
transportation, and retail dispensing; and,
     Establishing a distribution/dispensing infrastructure.

Additionally, the pre-auction eligibility submissions must estimate the 
costs and discuss the activities required for eventually 
commercializing the proposed cellulosic biofuel.

III. Regulatory Review

A. Executive Order 12866

    Today's rule has been determined to be a significant regulatory 
action under Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' 
58 FR 51735 (October 4, 1993). Accordingly, this action was subject to 
review under that Executive Order by the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
    Section 942 of EPAct 2005 provides that awards under the program 
shall be limited to not more than $100 million in any one year. 42 
U.S.C. 16251(d)(4). The possibility of awards at the $100 million level 
makes this rulemaking economically significant under the Executive 
Order. However, the level of funding provided by Congress for this 
program, thus far, suggests it is unlikely DOE will award $100 million 
in any one year. In fiscal year 2008, Congress appropriated $5.0 
million to initiate the program. The President has requested no funding 
for this program in his Fiscal Year 2010 budget.
    The incentives awarded for the production of cellulosic biofuels 
under this program constitute transfer payments. In this case, the 
payments are from the Government to private entities, and they do not 
affect total resources available to society. These transfers do not 
involve costs and benefits, and thus no assessment of costs and 
benefits is required by Executive Order 12866. See OMB Circular A-4, at 
38 and 46. DOE expects the first auction will be held in late 2009 or 
2010 and the last auction no later than 2015. As discussed in section 
II. B. of this notice, the Renewable Fuel Standard administered by EPA 
was amended by EISA to call for the production of 1 billion gallons of 
cellulosic biofuel by the year 2013. If that goal is met, then the last 
auction would occur in 2013.
    The EPAct 2005 program for conducting reverse auctions to provide 
incentives for production of cellulosic biofuels is one of several 
actions Congress has taken to encourage the production of cellulosic 
biofuels. As discussed, Congress has amended the Renewable Fuel 
Standard to set specific targets for the production of cellulosic 
biofuel, including 1 billion gallons by 2013. Congress also in EPAct 
2005 and EISA authorized funding for research and development of 
advanced biofuels and cellulosic biofuel. Current research and 
development efforts, in combination with various methodologies that 
could be funded using the procedures established in this regulation, 
have the potential to realize alternatives that DOE believes can 
achieve the production goals set in section 942 of EPAct 2005 and EISA.

B. National Environmental Policy Act

    DOE has determined that this rule is covered under the Categorical 
Exclusion found in the DOE's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
regulations at paragraph A6 of Appendix A to Subpart D, 10 CFR part 
1021, which applies to rulemakings that are strictly procedural. DOE 
notes that the procedures proposed in this rule do not afford DOE 
discretion to determine whether or how a facility will be constructed 
or operated. DOE's prescribed role under section 942, that is, awarding 
production incentives to the lowest bidder in a reverse auction, is 
strictly procedural. Accordingly, neither an environmental assessment 
nor an environmental impact statement is required for the rule or for 
an award that DOE gives or proposes to give to a successful bidder. If 
DOE subsequently proposes to take any additional actions with respect 
to successful bidders, separate from the award of funds under section 
942 of EPAct 2005, DOE will separately evaluate the need for NEPA 
review of those new proposed actions.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires 
preparation of an initial regulatory flexibility analysis for any rule 
that by law must be proposed for public comment, unless the agency 
certifies that the rule, if promulgated, will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. As required 
by Executive Order 13272, ``Proper Consideration of Small Entities in 
Agency Rulemaking,'' 67 FR 53461 (August 16, 2002), DOE published 
procedures and policies on February 19, 2003, to ensure that the 
potential impacts of its rules on small entities are properly 
considered during the rulemaking process (68 FR 7990). DOE has made its 
procedures and policies available on the Office of General Counsel's 
Web site: https://www.gc.doe.gov.
    DOE has reviewed today's rule under the provisions of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act and the procedures and policies published on 
February 19, 2003. The rule will only affect biofuels

[[Page 52870]]

producers if they choose to participate in the reverse auction. 
Moreover, the rule will provide an economic benefit without imposing 
any regulatory requirements on producers of cellulosic biofuels. On the 
basis of the foregoing, DOE certifies that this rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
Accordingly, DOE has not prepared a regulatory flexibility analysis for 
this rulemaking. This certification and supporting statement of factual 
basis will be provided to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small 
Business Administration pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b).

D. Paperwork Reduction Act

    Section 452.4(a) provides that entities that intend to participate 
in a reverse auction must file a pre-auction eligibility submission. 
The pre-auction eligibility submission must contain certain 
information, including an implementation plan, as described above. This 
information will be used by DOE to determine if an entity that files a 
pre-auction eligibility submission will be accepted to participate in 
the reverse auction.
    In addition, section 452.4(c) provides that a bidder must submit a 
progress report. The progress report must contain the additional 
information described above. DOE will use this information to evaluate 
the bidder's progress in the production of cellulosic biofuels. DOE has 
submitted this collection of information to the Office of Management 
and Budget for approval pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and the procedures implementing that Act, 5 
CFR 1320.1 et seq.
    DOE estimates that the annual reporting and recordkeeping burden 
for this collection of information will be 30 hours per year (10 
bidders x 3 hours) at a total annual cost of $2250 (10 bidders x $225 
per auction). Burden means the total time, effort, or financial 
resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or 
disclose or provide information to or for a federal agency. An agency 
may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to 
a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB 
control number.

E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4) generally 
requires Federal agencies to examine closely the impacts of regulatory 
actions on State, local, and tribal governments. Subsection 101(5) of 
title I of that law defines a Federal intergovernmental mandate to 
include any regulation that would impose upon State, local, or tribal 
governments an enforceable duty, except a condition of Federal 
assistance or a duty arising from participating in a voluntary federal 
program. Title II of that law requires each Federal agency to assess 
the effects of Federal regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or to the private sector, other than to 
the extent such actions merely incorporate requirements specifically 
set forth in a statute. Section 202 of that title requires a Federal 
agency to perform a detailed assessment of the anticipated costs and 
benefits of any rule that includes a Federal mandate which may result 
in costs to State, local, or tribal governments, or to the private 
sector, of $100 million or more in any one year (adjusted annually for 
inflation). 2 U.S.C. 1532(a) and (b). Section 204 of that title 
requires each agency that proposes a rule containing a significant 
Federal intergovernmental mandate to develop an effective process for 
obtaining meaningful and timely input from elected officers of State, 
local, and tribal governments. 2 U.S.C. 1534.
    This rule will not impose a Federal mandate on State, local, or 
tribal governments or on the private sector. Accordingly, no assessment 
or analysis is required under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.

F. Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 1999

    Section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act, 1999 (Pub. L. 105-277) requires Federal agencies to issue a Family 
Policymaking Assessment for any rule that may affect family well being. 
The rule will not have any impact on the autonomy or integrity of the 
family as an institution. Accordingly, DOE has concluded that it is not 
necessary to prepare a Family Policymaking Assessment.

G. Executive Order 13132

    Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism,'' 64 FR 43255 (August 4, 1999) 
imposes certain requirements on agencies formulating and implementing 
policies or regulations that preempt State law or that have federalism 
implications. Agencies are required to examine the constitutional and 
statutory authority supporting any action that would limit the 
policymaking discretion of the States and carefully assess the 
necessity for such actions. DOE has examined this rule and has 
determined that it would not preempt State law and would not have a 
substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between 
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government. No further 
action is required by Executive Order 13132.

H. Executive Order 12988

    With respect to the review of existing regulations and the 
promulgation of new regulations, section 3(a) of Executive Order 12988, 
``Civil Justice Reform,'' 61 FR 4729 (February 7, 1996), imposes on 
Executive agencies the general duty to adhere to the following 
requirements: (1) Eliminate drafting errors and ambiguity; (2) write 
regulations to minimize litigation; and (3) provide a clear legal 
standard for affected conduct rather than a general standard and 
promote simplification and burden reduction. With regard to the review 
required by section 3(a), section 3(b) of Executive Order 12988 
specifically requires that Executive agencies make every reasonable 
effort to ensure that the regulation: (1) Clearly specifies the 
preemptive effect, if any; (2) clearly specifies any effect on existing 
Federal law or regulation; (3) provides a clear legal standard for 
affected conduct while promoting simplification and burden reduction; 
(4) specifies the retroactive effect, if any; (5) adequately defines 
key terms; and (6) addresses other important issues affecting clarity 
and general draftsmanship under any guidelines issued by the Attorney 
General. Section 3(c) of Executive Order 12988 requires Executive 
agencies to review regulations in light of applicable standards in 
section 3(a) and section 3(b) to determine whether they are met or it 
is unreasonable to meet one or more of them. DOE has completed the 
required review and determined that, to the extent permitted by law, 
the rule meets the relevant standards of Executive Order 12988.

I. Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001

    The Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001 (44 
U.S.C. 3516 note) provides for agencies to review most disseminations 
of information to the public under guidelines established by each 
agency pursuant to general guidelines issued by OMB.
    OMB's guidelines were published at 67 FR 8452 (February 22, 2002), 
and DOE's guidelines were published at 67 FR 62446 (October 7, 2002). 
DOE has reviewed today's rule under the OMB and DOE guidelines and has 
concluded that it is consistent with applicable policies in those 
guidelines.

[[Page 52871]]

J. Executive Order 13211

    Executive Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use,'' 66 FR 28355 
(May 22, 2001) requires Federal agencies to prepare and submit to OMB, 
a Statement of Energy Effects for any proposed significant energy 
action. A ``significant energy action'' is defined as any action by an 
agency that promulgated or is expected to lead to promulgation of a 
final rule, and that: (1) Is a significant regulatory action under 
Executive Order 12866, or any successor order; and (2) is likely to 
have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use 
of energy, or (3) is designated by the Administrator of OIRA as a 
significant energy action. For any proposed significant energy action, 
the agency must give a detailed statement of any adverse effects on 
energy supply, distribution, or use should the proposal be implemented, 
and of reasonable alternatives to the action and their expected 
benefits on energy supply, distribution, and use. Today's regulatory 
action would not have a significant adverse effect on the supply, 
distribution, or use of energy and is therefore not a significant 
energy action. Accordingly, DOE has not prepared a Statement of Energy 
Effects.

K. Consultation

    Pursuant to section 942(c)(1) of EPAct 2005, DOE has consulted with 
the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Defense, and the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency prior to issuing 
today's rule.

L. Congressional Notification.

    As required by 5 U.S.C. 801, DOE will report to Congress 
promulgation of this rule prior to its effective date. The report will 
state that it has been determined that the rule is not a ``major rule'' 
as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). DOE will submit the supporting analysis 
to the Comptroller General in the U.S. Government Accountability Office 
and make it available to each House of Congress.

IV. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

    The issuance of this rule has been approved by the Office of the 
Secretary.

List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 452

    Fuel, Grant programs, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements, 
Renewable energy.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 11, 2009.
Cathy Zoi,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

0
For the reasons stated in the preamble, DOE is amending chapter II of 
title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations by adding a new part 452 as 
set forth below:

PART 452--PRODUCTION INCENTIVES FOR CELLULOSIC BIOFUELS

Sec.
452.1 Purpose and scope.
452.2 Definitions.
452.3 Solicitations.
452.4 Eligibility requirements.
452.5 Bidding procedures.
452.6 Incentive award terms and limitations.

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. 16251.


Sec.  452.1  Purpose and scope.

    (a) This part sets forth the standards, policies, and procedures 
that the Department of Energy uses for receiving, evaluating, and 
awarding bids in reverse auctions of production incentive payments for 
cellulosic biofuels under section 942 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 
(42 U.S.C. 16251).
    (b) Part 1024 of chapter X of title 10 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations shall not apply to actions taken under this part.


Sec.  452.2  Definitions.

    As used in this part:
    Cellulosic biofuel means any liquid fuel produced from cellulosic 
feedstocks.
    Cellulosic feedstock means any lignocellulosic feedstock as defined 
by EPAct, section 932(a)(2).
    Commercially significant quantity means 10 million gallons or more 
of cellulosic biofuels produced in one year.
    DOE means the U.S. Department of Energy.
    Eligible biofuels producer means a business association, including 
but not limited to a sole proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, 
corporation, or other business entity that owns and operates, or plans 
to own and operate, an eligible cellulosic biofuels production facility 
and that meets all other eligibility requirements that are conditions 
on the receipt of production incentives under this part.
    Eligible cellulosic biofuels production facility means a facility--
    (1) Located in the United States (including U.S. territories and 
possessions);
    (2) Which meets all applicable Federal and State permitting 
requirements;
    (3) Employs a demonstrated refining technology; and
    (4) Meets any relevant financial criteria established by the 
Secretary.
    EPAct 2005 means the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 109-58 
(August 8, 2005).
    Open window means the period during each reverse auction, as 
specified in an associated solicitation, during which DOE accepts bids 
for production incentives under this part.
    Secretary means the Secretary of Energy.


Sec.  452.3  Solicitations.

    The reverse auction process commences with the issuance of a 
solicitation by DOE. DOE will publish a solicitation in the Federal 
Register and shall post the solicitation on its website at 
www.eere.energy.gov no later than 60 days before the bidding in a 
reverse auction under this part commences. The solicitation shall:
    (a) Invite interested persons and businesses to submit pre-
qualification statements;
    (b) Set forth the terms on which bids will be accepted;
    (c) Specify the open window for bidding; and
    (d) Specify the date by which successful bidders will be required 
to file pre-auction eligibility submissions.


Sec.  452.4  Eligibility requirements.

    (a) Pre-auction eligibility submissions. (1) Entities that intend 
to participate in a reverse auction, within the time period stated in 
the relevant solicitation, must file a pre-auction eligibility 
submission that provides all information requested in the applicable 
solicitation to which it is responding, including an implementation 
plan.
    (2) Each pre-auction eligibility submission's implementation plan 
must, at a minimum:
    (i) Demonstrate that the filing party owns and operates or plans to 
own and operate an eligible cellulosic biofuels production facility;
    (ii) Identify the site or proposed site for the filing party's 
eligible cellulosic biofuels production facility;
    (iii) Demonstrate that the cellulosic biofuel to be produced for 
purposes of receiving an award either currently is suitable for 
widespread general use as a transportation fuel or will be suitable for 
such use in a timeframe and in sufficient volumes to significantly 
contribute to the goal of 1 billion gallons of refined cellulosic 
biofuel by August 2015.

[[Page 52872]]

    (iv) Provide audited or pro forma financial statements for the 
latest 12 month period; and
    (v) Identify one or more proposed sources of financing for the 
construction or expansion of the filing party's eligible cellulosic 
biofuels production facility.
    (b) Notification of pre-auction eligibility status. DOE shall 
notify each entity that files a pre-auction eligibility submission of 
its acceptance or rejection no later than 15 days before the reverse 
auction for which the submission was made. A DOE decision constitutes 
final agency action and is conclusive.
    (c) Progress reports. Within one year after the reverse auction in 
which a bidder successfully competed, the bidder must submit a progress 
report that includes all additional information required by the 
solicitation in which the bidder submitted a successful bid and which 
demonstrates that the bidder has:
    (1) Acquired the site where its proposed eligible cellulosic 
biofuels production facility is or will be located;
    (2) Obtained secure financing commitments for the plant or 
expansion thereof, as necessary to produce cellulosic biofuels; and
    (3) Entered into a written engineering, procurement, and 
construction (EPC) contract for design and construction of the eligible 
cellulosic biofuels production facility; such EPC contract must provide 
for completion of construction of the eligible cellulosic biofuels 
production facility such that operations at the plant or plant 
expansion will commence within three years of the reverse auction in 
which the bidder successfully competed.
    (d) Production agreement. Within 90 days after submission of its 
progress report under paragraph (c) of this section, the successful 
bidder must enter into an agreement with DOE which requires the bidder 
to begin production of commercially significant quantities of 
cellulosic biofuels, at the eligible cellulosic biofuels production 
facility that was the subject of the relevant bid, not later than three 
years from the date of the acceptance of the successful bid.
    (e) Confirmation of continuing eligibility. After receiving the 
progress report described in the paragraph (e) of the section and upon 
confirmation by DOE that the successful bidder has entered into a 
production agreement with DOE, as described in paragraph (d) of this 
section, DOE will confirm to the bidder that it continues to meet the 
eligibility requirements of this part.
    (f) Contractual condition on eligibility. (1) As a condition of the 
receipt of an award under this part, a successful bidder in a reverse 
auction under this part must demonstrate that it has fulfilled the 
terms of its production agreement entered into with DOE pursuant to 
paragraph (d) of this section.
    (2) As a condition of continuing to receive production incentive 
payments under this part, a bidder that has entered into a production 
agreement with DOE must annually submit to DOE, by a commercially 
reasonable date specified by DOE, verification of the bidder's 
production volumes for the prior calendar year. Within 90 days of the 
submission of such verification, DOE shall notify the successful bidder 
whether the bidder has fulfilled the terms of the production agreement 
and shall make payment of any production incentive awards then 
outstanding for the one year period covered by the verified data 
submission.


Sec.  452.5  Bidding procedures.

    DOE shall conduct an electronic reverse auction through a limited 
duration single bid per producer auction process open only to pre-
auction eligible cellulosic biofuels producers. The following 
procedures shall be used:
    (a) DOE shall accept only electronic bids received from pre-auction 
eligible cellulosic biofuels producers during the open window 
established in the solicitation. The open window shall consist of a 
single continuous period of at least four hours for each auction.
    (b) Bids shall identify an estimated annual production amount from 
an eligible cellulosic biofuels production facility on a per gallon, 
site, entity, and year specific basis for a consecutive six year 
production period. A bid also may be submitted for additional 
incentives for uncovered production volumes at a site where an award 
was made in an earlier auction round.
    (c) All bids must set forth the methodology used to derive the 
estimates of annual production volumes covered by the bid and the bid 
shall be calculated on a gasoline equivalent volumetric basis using the 
lower heating Btu value of the fuel compared to the lower heating Btu 
value of gasoline.
    (d) All bids will be confidential until 45 days after the close of 
the window for submission of bids for the reverse auction.
    (e) Bid evaluation and incentive awards selection procedures 
include the following:
    (1) After DOE evaluates the bids received during the open window, 
it shall, within 45 days following the close of the open window for 
submission of bids for the reverse auction, announce on DOE's website 
and by direct mail the names of the successful bidders and the terms of 
their bids.
    (2) DOE shall issue awards for the bid production amounts beginning 
with the bidder that submitted the bid for the lowest level of 
production incentive on a per gallon basis.
    (3) In the event of a tie among the lowest bids, preference will be 
given to the lowest tied bidder based on DOE's evaluation of the extent 
to which the tied bids meet the following criteria:
    (i) Demonstrates outstanding potential for local and regional 
economic development;
    (ii) Includes agricultural producers or cooperatives of 
agricultural producers as equity partners in the ventures; and
    (iii) Has a strategic agreement in place to fairly reward feedstock 
suppliers.
    (4) In the event more than one lowest tied bid equally meets the 
standards in paragraph (c)(3) of this section, the award will be 
distributed equally on a per capita basis among those lowest tied 
bidders meeting the standards.


Sec.  452.6  Incentive award terms and limitations.

    (a) Amount of incentive. Subject to the availability of 
appropriated funds and the limitations in paragraph (c) of this 
section, an eligible cellulosic biofuels producer selected to receive 
an award shall receive the amount of the production incentive on the 
per gallon basis requested in the auction solicitation for each gallon 
produced and sold by the entity during the first six years of operation 
of its eligible cellulosic biofuels production facility.
    (b) Failure to commence production. Except in the circumstance of a 
force majeure event, as solely determined by DOE, failure by an 
eligible cellulosic biofuels producer that made a successful bid to 
commence production of cellulosic biofuels, at the eligible cellulosic 
biofuels production facility that was the subject of the successful 
bid, by the end of the third year after the close of submission of the 
open window of bids for the reverse auction in which it submitted a 
successful bid, shall result in immediate revocation of DOE's award to 
that producer.
    (c) Failure of the successful bidder to meet annual production 
obligations. Except in the circumstance of a force majeure event, as 
solely determined by DOE, a successful bidder's failure to produce at 
least 50 percent of the volumes specified in its production agreement 
by December 31 of any year covered by the bid shall result in immediate 
revocation of DOE's award; if the successful bidder produces 50 percent 
or more of the volumes set forth in the production agreement on an

[[Page 52873]]

annual basis by December 31 of any year covered by the agreement, any 
production shortfall will be carried forward and added to the 
successful bidder's production obligations for next year covered by the 
agreement.
    (d) Shortfalls remaining at the end of the production period. If, 
for any reason, by December 31 of the last year of the production 
agreement, the bidder has failed to produce the total production 
volumes for all years covered by the agreement, any such remaining 
shortfall shall be awarded to the bidder with the next lowest bid in 
the auction round for which the award was made. If, however, the next 
best bidder is unable to enter into a production agreement with DOE 
within 30 days after being notified of its award, the shortfall shall 
be allocated instead to the next reverse auction.
    (e) Incentive award limitations. The following limits shall apply 
to awards of cellulosic biofuels production incentives under this part:
    (1) During the first four years after the commencement of the 
program, the incentive shall be limited to $1.00 per gallon. For 
purposes of this limitation, the program shall be deemed to have 
commenced on the date that the first solicitation for a reverse auction 
is issued;
    (2) A per gallon cap over the remaining lifetime of the program of 
$.95 per gallon provided that--
    (i) This cap shall be lowered by $.05 each year commencing the 
first year after annual cellulosic biofuels production in the United 
States exceeds 1 billion gallons;
    (ii) Not more than 25 percent of the funds committed within each 
reverse auction shall be awarded to any single project;
    (iii) Not more than $100 million in production incentives shall be 
awarded in any one calendar year; and
    (iv) Not more than $1 billion in production incentives shall be 
awarded over the lifetime of the program.
    (f) Participation in subsequent auctions. A successful bidder in a 
reverse auction under this part may participate in subsequent reverse 
auctions if the incentives sought will assist the addition of plant 
production capacity for the eligible cellulosic biofuels production 
facility associated with its previously successful bid.

    (g) Transferability of awards. A production incentive award under 
this part may be transferred to a successor entity at the same 
production facility for which the award was made, provided that the 
successor entity meets all eligibility requirements of this part, 
including execution of an agreement with DOE to commence production of 
cellulosic biofuels in commercially significant quantities not later 
than three years of the date that bidding closes on the reverse auction 
in which the predecessor entity submitted a successful bid.
[FR Doc. E9-24778 Filed 10-14-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P