Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) for Inviting Applications for Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grants and Guaranteed Loans Under the Rural Energy for America Program, 21584-21591 [2010-9580]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Rural Business-Cooperative Service

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 79 (Monday, April 26, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21584-21591]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-9580]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business--Cooperative Service


Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) for Inviting 
Applications for Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency 
Improvements Grants and Guaranteed Loans Under the Rural Energy for 
America Program

AGENCY: Rural Business--Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Energy for America Program, formerly section 9006 
under the 2002 Farm Bill, is composed of several types of grants and 
guaranteed loan programs. These are: Guaranteed loans and grants for 
the development/construction of renewable energy systems and for energy 
efficiency improvement projects; grants for conducting energy audits; 
grants for conducting renewable energy development assistance; and 
grants for conducting renewable energy feasibility studies.
    The Agency is implementing the Rural Energy for America Program 
(REAP) for Fiscal Year 2010 through the publication of three REAP 
notices:
     Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement 
grants and guaranteed loans;
     Energy audit and renewable energy development assistance 
grants; and
     Renewable energy feasibility study grants.
    This REAP notice announces that Rural Business--Cooperative Service 
is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2010 for the purchase of 
renewable energy systems and the making of energy efficiency 
improvements for agriculture producers and rural small businesses in 
eligible rural areas. The amount of funds available for renewable 
energy systems and energy efficiency improvements in FY 2010 will be 
approximately 88 percent of mandatory and discretionary funding. 
Funding will be available in the form of grants and loan guarantees. In 
addition to grants and loan guarantees, applicants may apply for 
combination loan guarantee and grant funding (combination package).
    Lastly, the Agency intends to publish a proposed rule that will 
revise the current program at 7 CFR part 4280, subpart B to include 
renewable energy feasibility study grants, and that will add a new 
subpart C to address energy audit and renewable energy development 
assistance grants. Together, these two subparts will represent the 
Rural Energy for America Program as authorized under section 9007 of 
the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 as amended by 
section 9001 of the Food, Energy, and Conservation Act of 2008. The 
Agency anticipates publishing final regulations to operate the Rural 
Energy for America Program in fiscal year 2011.

DATES: Complete applications under this Notice must be received by the 
appropriate USDA Rural Development State Office no later than 4:30 
local time June 30, 2010. Neither complete nor incomplete applications 
received after this date and time will be considered for funding in FY 
2010, regardless of the postmark on the application.

ADDRESSES: Application materials may be obtained by contacting one of 
Rural Development's Energy Coordinators or by downloading through 
https://www.grants.gov.
    Submit electronic applications at https://www.grants.gov, following 
the instructions found on this Web site. To use Grants.gov, all 
applicants (unless the applicant is an individual) must have a Dun and 
Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, which can be 
obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at 1-866-705-5711 or 
online at https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. Submit completed paper 
applications to the Rural Development State Office in the State in 
which the applicant's proposed project is located.

Rural Development Energy Coordinators

    Note:  Telephone numbers listed are not toll-free.

Alabama

Quinton Harris, USDA Rural Development, Sterling Centre, Suite 601, 
4121 Carmichael Road, Montgomery, AL 36106-3683, (334) 279-3623, 
Quinton.Harris@al.usda.gov

Alaska

Dean Stewart, USDA Rural Development, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 201, 
Palmer, AK 99645-6539, (907) 761-7722, dean.stewart@ak.usda.gov

American Samoa (See Hawaii)

Arizona

Alan Watt, USDA Rural Development, 230 North First Avenue, Suite 
206, Phoenix, AZ 85003-1706, (602) 280-8769, Alan.Watt@az.usda.gov

[[Page 21585]]

Arkansas

Tim Smith, USDA Rural Development, 700 West Capitol Avenue, Room 
3416, Little Rock, AR 72201-3225, (501) 301-3280, 
Tim.Smith@ar.usda.gov

California

Philip Brown, USDA Rural Development, 430 G Street, 4169, 
Davis, CA 95616, (530) 792-5811, Phil.brown@ca.usda.gov

Colorado

April Dahlager, USDA Rural Development, 655 Parfet Street, Room E-
100, Lakewood, CO 80215, (720) 544-2909, april.dahlager@co.usda.gov

Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands--CNMI (See Hawaii)

Connecticut (See Massachusetts)

Delaware/Maryland

Bruce Weaver, USDA Rural Development, 1221 College Park Drive, Suite 
200, Dover, DE 19904, (302) 857-3626, Bruce.Weaver@de.usda.gov

Federated States of Micronesia (See Hawaii)

Florida/Virgin Islands

Joe Mueller, USDA Rural Development, 4440 NW. 25th Place, 
Gainesville, FL 32606, (352) 338-3482, joe.mueller@fl.usda.gov

Georgia

J. Craig Scroggs, USDA Rural Development, 111 E. Spring St., Suite 
B, Monroe, GA 30655, Phone 770-267-1413 ext. 113, 
craig.scroggs@ga.usda.gov

Guam (See Hawaii)

Hawaii/Guam/Republic of Palau/Federated States of Micronesia/Republic 
of the Marshall Islands/America Samoa/Commonwealth of the Northern 
Marianas Islands--CNMI

Tim O'Connell, USDA Rural Development, Federal Building, Room 311, 
154 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720, (808) 933-8313, 
Tim.Oconnell@hi.usda.gov

Idaho

Brian Buch, USDA Rural Development, 9173 W. Barnes Drive, Suite A1, 
Boise, ID 83709, (208) 378-5623, Brian.Buch@id.usda.gov

Illinois

Molly Hammond, USDA Rural Development, 2118 West Park Court, Suite 
A, Champaign, IL 61821, (217) 403-6210, Molly.Hammond@il.usda.gov

Indiana

Jerry Hay, USDA Rural Development, 5975 Lakeside Boulevard, 
Indianapolis, IN 46278, (812) 873-1100, Jerry.Hay@in.usda.gov

Iowa

Teresa Bomhoff, USDA Rural Development, 873 Federal Building, 210 
Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, (515) 284-4447, 
teresa.bomhoff@ia.usda.gov

Kansas

David Kramer, USDA Rural Development, 1303 SW First American Place, 
Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66604-4040, (785) 271-2730, 
david.kramer@ks.usda.gov

Kentucky

Scott Maas, USDA Rural Development, 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, 
Lexington, KY 40503, (859) 224-7435, scott.maas@ky.usda.gov

Louisiana

Kevin Boone, USDA Rural Development, 905 Jefferson Street, Suite 
320, Lafayette, LA 70501, (337) 262-6601, Ext. 133, 
Kevin.Boone@la.usda.gov

Maine

John F. Sheehan, USDA Rural Development, 967 Illinois Avenue, Suite 
4, P.O. Box 405, Bangor, ME 04402-0405, (207) 990-9168, 
john.sheehan@me.usda.gov

Maryland (See Delaware)

Massachusetts/Rhode Island/Connecticut

Charles W. Dubuc, USDA Rural Development, 451 West Street, Suite 2, 
Amherst, MA 01002, (401) 826-0842 X 306, Charles.Dubuc@ma.usda.gov

Michigan

Traci J. Smith, USDA Rural Development, 3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 
200, East Lansing, MI 48823, (517) 324-5157, Traci.Smith@mi.usda.gov

Minnesota

Lisa L. Noty, USDA Rural Development, 1400 West Main Street, Albert 
Lea, MN 56007, (507) 373-7960 Ext. 120, lisa.noty@mn.usda.gov

Mississippi

G. Gary Jones, USDA Rural Development, Federal Building, Suite 831, 
100 West Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 39269, (601) 965-5457, 
george.jones@ms.usda.gov

Missouri

Matt Moore, USDA Rural Development, 601 Business Loop 70 West 
Parkade Center, Suite 235, Columbia, MO 65203, (573) 876-9321, 
matt.moore@mo.usda.gov

Montana

John Guthmiller, USDA Rural Development, 900 Technology Blvd., Unit 
1, Suite B, P.O. Box 850, Bozeman, MT 59771, (406) 585-2540, 
John.Guthmiller@mt.usda.gov

Nebraska

Debra Yocum, USDA Rural Development, 100 Centennial Mall North, Room 
152, Federal Building, Lincoln, NE 68508, (402) 437-5554, 
Debra.Yocum@ne.usda.gov

Nevada

Herb Shedd, USDA Rural Development, 1390 South Curry Street, Carson 
City, NV 89703, (775) 887-1222, herb.shedd@nv.usda.gov

New Hampshire (See Vermont)

New Jersey

Victoria Fekete, USDA Rural Development, 8000 Midlantic Drive, 5th 
Floor North, Suite 500, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054, (856) 787-7752, 
Victoria.Fekete@nj.usda.gov

New Mexico

Jesse Bopp, USDA Rural Development, 6200 Jefferson Street, NE., Room 
255, Albuquerque, NM 87109, (505) 761-4952, Jesse.bopp@nm.usda.gov

New York

Scott Collins, USDA Rural Development, 9025 River Road, Marcy, NY 
13403, (315) 736-3316 Ext. 4, scott.collins@ny.usda.gov

North Carolina

David Thigpen, USDA Rural Development, 4405 Bland Rd. Suite 260, 
Raleigh, NC 27609, 919-873-2065, David.Thigpen@nc.usda.gov

North Dakota

Dennis Rodin, USDA Rural Development, Federal Building, Room 208, 
220 East Rosser Avenue, P.O. Box 1737, Bismarck, ND 58502-1737, 
(701) 530-2068, Dennis.Rodin@nd.usda.gov

Ohio

Randy Monhemius, USDA Rural Development, Federal Building, Room 507, 
200 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215-2418, (614) 255-2424, 
Randy.Monhemius@oh.usda.gov

Oklahoma

Jody Harris, USDA Rural Development, 100 USDA, Suite 108, 
Stillwater, OK 74074-2654, (405) 742-1036, Jody.harris@ok.usda.gov

Oregon

Don Hollis, USDA Rural Development, 200 SE Hailey Ave, Suite 105, 
Pendleton, OR 97801, (541) 278-8049, Ext. 129, 
Don.Hollis@or.usda.gov

Pennsylvania

Bernard Linn, USDA Rural Development, One Credit Union Place, Suite 
330, Harrisburg, PA 17110-2996, (717) 237-2182, 
Bernard.Linn@pa.usda.gov

Puerto Rico

Luis Garcia, USDA Rural Development, IBM Building, 654 Munoz Rivera 
Avenue, Suite 601, Hato Rey, PR 00918-6106, (787) 766-5091, Ext. 
251, Luis.Garcia@pr.usda.gov

Republic of Palau (See Hawaii)

Republic of the Marshall Islands (See Hawaii)

Rhode Island (See Massachusetts)

South Carolina

Shannon Legree, USDA Rural Development, Strom Thurmond Federal 
Building, 1835 Assembly Street, Room 1007, Columbia, SC 29201, (803) 
253-3150, Shannon.Legree@sc.usda.gov

South Dakota

Douglas Roehl, USDA Rural Development, Federal Building, Room 210, 
200 4th Street, SW., Huron, SD 57350, (605) 352-1145, 
doug.roehl@sd.usda.gov

Tennessee

Will Dodson, USDA Rural Development, 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 
300,

[[Page 21586]]

Nashville, TN 37203-1084, (615) 783-1350, will.dodson@tn.usda.gov

Texas

Daniel Torres, USDA Rural Development, Federal Building, Suite 102, 
101 South Main Street, Temple, TX 76501, (254) 742-9756, 
Daniel.Torres@tx.usda.gov

Utah

Roger Koon, USDA Rural Development, Wallace F. Bennett Federal 
Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4311, Salt Lake City, UT 
84138, (801) 524-4301, Roger.Koon@ut.usda.gov

Vermont/New Hampshire

Cheryl Ducharme, USDA Rural Development, 89 Main Street, 3rd Floor, 
Montpelier, VT 05602, 802-828-6083, cheryl.ducharme@vt.usda.gov

Virginia

Laurette Tucker, USDA Rural Development, Culpeper Building, Suite 
238, 1606 Santa Rosa Road, Richmond, VA 23229, (804) 287-1594, 
Laurette.Tucker@va.usda.gov

Virgin Islands (See Florida)

Washington

Mary Traxler, USDA Rural Development, 1835 Black Lake Blvd. SW., 
Suite B, Olympia, WA 98512, (360) 704-7762, Mary.Traxler@wa.usda.gov

West Virginia

Richard E. Satterfield, USDA Rural Development, 75 High Street, Room 
320, Morgantown, WV 26505-7500, (304) 284-4874, 
Richard.Satterfield@wv.usda.gov

Wisconsin

Brenda Heinen, USDA Rural Development, 4949 Kirschling Court, 
Stevens Point, WI 54481, (715) 345-7615, Ext. 139, 
Brenda.Heinen@wi.usda.gov

Wyoming

Jon Crabtree, USDA Rural Development, Dick Cheney Federal Building, 
100 East B Street, Room 1005, P.O. Box 11005, Casper, WY 82602, 
(307) 233-6719, Jon.Crabtree@wy.usda.gov


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this Notice, 
please contact the USDA Rural Development-Energy Division, Program 
Branch, STOP 3225, Room 6870, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-3225. Telephone: (202) 720-1400.
    For assistance on this program, please contact the applicable Rural 
Development Energy Coordinator, as provided in the ADDRESSES section of 
this notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
information collection requirements associated with renewable energy 
system and energy efficiency improvement grants and guaranteed loans, 
as covered in this REAP notice, has been approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0570-0050.
    The information collection requirements associated with energy 
audit and renewable energy development assistance grants and with 
renewable energy feasibility study grants, which will be addressed in 
their respective REAP notices, have also been approved by OMB under OMB 
Control Number 0570-0059 and OMB Control Number 0570-0061, 
respectively. When the Agency publishes the proposed rule for REAP, it 
will consolidate the information collection requirements associated 
with this REAP notice and the other two REAP notices into a single 
information collection package for OMB approval.

Overview Information

    Federal Agency Name. Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
    Funding Opportunity Title. Renewable Energy Systems and Energy 
Efficiency Improvements Grants and Guaranteed Loans under the Rural 
Energy for America Program.
    Announcement Type. Initial announcement.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number. This program 
is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under Number 
10.868.
    Dates. All applications must be completed and received in the 
appropriate United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) State Rural 
Development Office no later than 4:30 p.m. local time June 30, 2010, in 
order to be considered for funding in FY 2010. Applications received 
after 4:30 p.m. local time June 30, 2010, regardless of the 
application's postmark, will not be considered for funding in FY 2010.
    Availability of Notice. This Notice is available on the USDA Rural 
Development Web site at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    A. Purpose. This Notice is issued pursuant to section 9001 of the 
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill), which 
amends Title IX of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 
(2002 Farm Bill) and establishes the Rural Energy for America Program 
under section 9007 thereof. The program is designed to help 
agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs 
and consumption and help meet the Nation's critical energy needs. The 
2008 Farm Bill mandates the maximum percentages of funding that USDA 
Rural Development will provide. Within the maximum funding amounts 
specified in this Notice, funding approved for guaranteed loan only 
requests and for combination guaranteed loan and grant requests will 
not exceed 75 percent of eligible project costs, with the grant portion 
not to exceed 25 percent of eligible project costs, whether the grant 
is part of a combination request or is a stand-alone grant.
    B. Statutory Authority. This program is authorized under Title IX, 
Section 9001, of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. 
L. 110-246).
    C. Definition of Terms. The following terms and the terms defined 
in 7 CFR part 4280 are applicable to this Notice. If this Notice and 7 
CFR part 4280 both define the same term, that term shall have the 
meaning provided in this Notice.
    Administrator. The Administrator of Rural Business--Cooperative 
Service within the Rural Development Mission Area of the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture.
    Departmental regulations. The regulations of the Department of 
Agriculture's Office of Chief Financial Officer (or successor office) 
as codified in 7 CFR parts 3000 through 3099, including but not 
necessarily limited to 7 CFR parts 3015 through 3019, 7 CFR part 3021, 
and 7 CFR part 3052, and successor regulations to these parts.
    EEI. Energy efficiency improvement.
    Hydroelectric energy. Electrical energy created by use of various 
types of moving water including, but not limited to, diverted run-of-
river water, in-stream run-of-river water, and in-conduit water.
    Hydropower. Energy created by hydroelectric or ocean energy.
    Ocean Energy. Energy created by use of various types of moving 
water including, but not limited to, tidal, wave, current, and thermal 
changes.
    Rated power. The amount of energy that can be created at any given 
time.
    Renewable biomass.
    (i) Materials, pre-commercial thinnings, or invasive species from 
National Forest System land and public lands (as defined in section 103 
of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S. C. 
1702)) that:
    (A) Are byproducts of preventive treatments that are removed to 
reduce hazardous fuels; to reduce or contain disease or insect 
infestation; or to restore ecosystem health;
    (B) Would not otherwise be used for higher-value products; and
    (C) Are harvested in accordance with applicable law and land 
management plans and the requirements for old-

[[Page 21587]]

growth maintenance, restoration, and management direction of paragraphs 
(e)(2), (e)(3), and (e)(4) and large-tree retention of subsection (f) 
of section 102 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S. 
C. 6512); or
    (ii) Any organic matter that is available on a renewable or 
recurring basis from non-Federal land or land belonging to an Indian or 
Indian tribe that is held in trust by the United States or subject to a 
restriction against alienation imposed by the United States, including:
    (A) Renewable plant material, including feed grains; other 
agricultural commodities; other plants and trees; and algae; and
    (B) Waste material, including crop residue; other vegetative waste 
material (including wood waste and wood residues); animal waste and 
byproducts (including fats, oils, greases, and manure); and food waste 
and yard waste.
    Renewable energy. Energy derived from:
    (i) A wind, solar, renewable biomass, ocean (including tidal, wave, 
current, and thermal), geothermal or hydroelectric source; or
    (ii) Hydrogen derived from renewable biomass or water using wind, 
solar, ocean (including tidal, wave, current, and thermal), geothermal 
or hydroelectric energy sources.
    RES. Renewable energy system.
    Small hydropower. A hydropower project for which the rated power of 
the system is 30 megawatts or less.
    State. Any of the 50 states of the United States, the Commonwealth 
of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, 
Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 
the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the 
Republic of the Marshall Islands.

II. Funding Information

    A. Available Funds. The amount of funds available for renewable 
energy systems and energy efficiency improvements in FY 2010 will be 
approximately 88 percent of mandatory and discretionary funding made 
available for this REAP notice under the Rural Energy for America 
Program.
    Based on the quality of the applications received under this REAP 
notice, the Agency reserves the right, at its discretion, to move funds 
from this notice to fund applications received under the other two REAP 
notices. Conversely, the Agency may, at its discretion, move money for 
the other two REAP notices to fund applications received under this 
REAP notice. The Agency's ability to move funds is subject to the 
limitation contained in section 9007(c)(3)(B) of 2002 Farm Bill, which 
limits funding for feasibility studies to not exceed more than 10 
percent of the funds made available to carry out the total amount made 
available under this REAP notice and the feasibility study REAP notice.
    B. Number of Awards. The number of awards will depend on the number 
of eligible applicants participating in this program.
    C. Grant Funding Limitations. For the purposes of this Notice, the 
maximum amount of grant assistance to one individual or entity will not 
exceed $750,000 for FY 2010 based on the total amount of renewable 
energy system, energy efficiency improvement, and renewable energy 
feasibility study grants awarded to the individual or entity under the 
Rural Energy for America Program. In order to ensure that small 
projects have a fair opportunity to compete for the funding and 
consistent with the priorities set forth in the statute, the Agency 
will not use less than 20 percent of the funds allocated for grants of 
$20,000 or less.
    D. Types of Instrument. Grant, guaranteed loan, and grant/
guaranteed loan combinations.

III. Application Submission Information

    Applicants seeking to participate in this program must submit 
applications in accordance with this Notice and 7 CFR part 4280, 
subpart B, as applicable. Applicants must submit complete applications 
in order to be considered. Note that for the Agency to consider an 
application, the application must include all environmental review 
documents with supporting documentation in accordance with 7 CFR part 
1940 subpart G.

A. Where To Obtain Applications

    Applicants may obtain applications from the applicable Rural 
Development Energy Coordinator, as provided in the ADDRESSES section of 
this Notice. In addition, for grant applications, applicants may access 
the electronic grant application for the Rural Energy for America 
Program at https://www.Grants.gov. To locate the downloadable 
application package for this program, the applicant must use the 
program's CFDA Number (i.e., 10.868) or FedGrants Funding Opportunity 
Number, which can be found at https://www.Grants.gov. To use Grants.gov, 
all applicants must have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering 
System (DUNS) number (unless the applicant is an individual), which can 
be obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at 1-866-705-5711 
or online at https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform.

B. When To Submit

    Submit applications to the appropriate USDA Rural Development State 
Office. All applications must be received at the appropriate State 
Office by 4:30 p.m. local time on June 30, 2010 to be considered for 
funding in FY 2010. Applications are competed and funded periodically 
at times determined by each State Office. Applicants are encouraged to 
contact the appropriate Energy Coordinator to determine when their 
State intends to make awards. Applications received at the appropriate 
State Office after 4:30 p.m. local time on June 30, 2010 will not be 
considered for funding in FY 2010. Applications received after the 
deadline date will compete in FY 2011.

C. Where To Submit

    All applications are to be submitted to the Rural Development 
Energy Coordinator in the State in which the applicant's proposed 
project is located. A list of Rural Development Energy Coordinators is 
provided in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice. Alternatively, for 
grants, applicants may submit applications to the Agency via the 
Grants.gov Web site.

D. How To Submit

    Applicants may submit applications either as hard copy or 
electronically as specified in the following paragraphs. When 
submitting an application as hard copy, applicants must submit one 
original and one copy of the complete application.
    (1) Grant applications. Grant applications may be submitted either 
as hard copy to the appropriate Rural Development Energy Coordinator or 
electronically using the government-wide Grants.gov Web site. Users of 
Grants.gov who download a copy of the application package may complete 
it off line and then upload and submit the application via the 
Grants.gov site, including all information typically included on the 
application, and all necessary assurances and certifications. After 
electronically submitting an application through the Web site, the 
applicant will receive an automated acknowledgement from Grants.gov 
that contains a Grants.gov tracking number.
    (2) Guaranteed loan applications. Guaranteed loan only applications 
(i.e., those that are not part of a guaranteed loan/grant combination 
request) must be submitted as hard copy.

[[Page 21588]]

    (3) Guaranteed loan/grant combination applications. Applications 
for guaranteed loans/grants (combination applications) must be 
submitted as hard copy.

E. Other Submission Requirements and Information

    (1) Application restrictions. Applicants can apply for only one 
renewable energy system project and one energy efficiency improvement 
project in FY 2010. A renewable energy system application cannot be 
submitted in FY 2010 if a Rural Energy for America Program feasibility 
study grant application has also been submitted in FY 2010 for the same 
renewable energy system project.
    (2) Eligibility considerations. Eligibility is limited to projects 
that:
    (i) have completed the environmental review process according to 7 
CFR 4280.114(d);
    (ii) have demonstrated project eligibility according to 7 CFR 
4280.108;
    (iii) have demonstrated technical feasibility; and
    (iv) have submitted complete applications.
    (3) Grants.gov. When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site as well as the hours of operation. USDA Rural Development strongly 
recommends that applicants do not wait until the application deadline 
date to begin the application process through Grants.gov.
    (4) Original signatures. USDA Rural Development may request that 
the applicant provide original signatures on forms submitted through 
Grants.gov at a later date.
    (5) Intergovernmental review. The Rural Energy for America Program 
is subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, which requires 
intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials.
    (6) Award considerations. In determining the amount of a loan 
guarantee or grant provided, the Agency shall take into consideration 
the following six criteria:
    (i) The type of renewable energy system to be purchased;
    (ii) The estimated quantity of energy to be generated by the 
renewable energy system;
    (iii) The expected environmental benefits of the renewable energy 
system;
    (iv) The quantity of energy savings expected to be derived from the 
activity, as demonstrated by an energy audit;
    (v) The estimated period of time for the energy savings generated 
by the activity to equal the cost of the activity; and
    (vi) The expected energy efficiency of the renewable energy system.

F. Hydropower Eligibility

    For the purposes of this Notice, only hydropower projects with a 
rated power of 30 megawatts or less are eligible. The Agency refers to 
these hydropower sources as ``small hydropower,'' which includes 
hydropower projects commonly referred to as ``micro-hydropower'' and 
``mini-hydropower.''

IV. Program Provisions

    This section of the Notice identifies what information renewable 
energy system and energy efficiency improvement (RES/EEI) applications 
are to contain, funding limitations, and other submission requirements 
and award information. Except as provided in this Notice, RES/EEI 
applications are to follow the provisions specified in 7 CFR part 4280, 
subpart B.

A. Project Eligibility

    (1) The project eligibility requirements specified in 7 CFR 
4280.108 apply to applications submitted under this Notice. The Agency 
notes that energy efficiency improvements to existing renewable energy 
systems are eligible energy efficiency improvement projects.
    (2) In addition to the requirements specified in 7 CFR 4280.108, no 
renewable energy system or energy efficiency improvement, or portion 
thereof, can be used for any residential purpose, including any 
residential portion of a rural small business, farm, ranch, or 
agricultural facility. However, an applicant may apply for funding for 
the installation of a second meter or provide certification in the 
application that any excess power generated by the renewable energy 
system will be sold to the grid and will not be used by the applicant 
for residential purposes.

B. Applications

    In addition to the requirements found in 7 CFR 4280, subpart B, the 
following also applies to applications submitted under this Notice.
    (1) One funding type applications. Only one type of funding 
application (grant-only, guaranteed loan-only, or guaranteed loan/grant 
combination) for each project can be submitted.
    (2) Environmental information. Each application must include all 
environmental review documents with supporting documentation in 
accordance with 7 CFR part 1940 subpart G.
    (3) Foreign technology. As stated in 7 CFR 4280.108, projects must 
be for a pre-commercial or commercially available technology. The 
definition of ``pre-commercial'' and ``commercial'' are at 7 CFR 
4280.103. The Agency's position is that if the system is currently 
commercially available only outside the United States (U.S.), then 
applicants must provide authoritative evidence of the foreign operating 
history, performance, and reliability in order to address the proven 
operating history identified in the definition. ``Commercial'' 
applicants must provide evidence that professional service providers, 
trades, large construction equipment providers and labor are readily 
available domestically and familiar with installation procedures and 
practices, and spare parts and service are readily available in the 
U.S. to properly maintain and operate the system. All warranties must 
be valid in the U.S.
    (4) Commercial application demonstration of pre-commercial 
technologies. In accordance with the definition of ``pre-commercial'' 
technology found in 7 CFR 4280.103, technical and economic potential 
for commercial application must be demonstrated to the Agency. In order 
to demonstrate the system has emerged through research and development 
as well as the demonstration process, applicants must provide 
authoritative evidence of the operating history, performance, and 
reliability past completion of start-up, shake-down, and commissioning. 
Typically, and in line with financial and operating performance 
evaluation protocol, the documented operating history, which may be 
established domestically or outside the U.S., should provide 
performance data for a minimum of 12 months. The time period will 
address the economic and technical performance potential of the pre-
commercial technology, as defined in 7 CFR 4280.103. Lastly, in 
accordance with demonstrating the potential for commercial application, 
applicants must provide evidence that professional service providers, 
trades, large construction equipment providers, and labor are readily 
available domestically and sufficiently familiar with installation 
procedures and practices, and spare parts and service are available in 
the U.S. to properly maintain and operate the system. Any warranties 
have to be valid in the U.S.
    (5) Format. To ensure that projects are accurately scored by the 
Agency, applicants are requested to tab and number each evaluation 
criteria and include, in that section, its corresponding supporting 
documentation and calculations according to 7 CFR 4280.112.

[[Page 21589]]

    (6) Technical report appendices. Technical reports for hydropower 
projects shall conform to Appendix A of this Notice. Technical reports 
for other renewable energy projects shall continue to conform to 
Appendix A or B, as applicable, to 7 CFR part 4280, subpart B.

C. Funding Limitations

    (1) Grant-only applications. For renewable energy system grants, 
the minimum grant is $2,500 and the maximum is $500,000. For energy 
efficiency improvement grants, the minimum grant is $1,500 and the 
maximum grant is $250,000.
    (2) Loan guarantee-only applications. For loan guarantees, the 
minimum guaranteed loan amount is $5,000 and the maximum amount of a 
guarantee to be provided to a borrower is $25 million. The maximum loan 
guarantee for a guaranteed loan in excess of $10 million is 60 percent. 
For FY 2010, the guarantee fee amount is 1 percent of the guaranteed 
portion of the loan and the annual renewal fee is 0.250 percent (one-
quarter of one percent) of the guaranteed portion of the loan.
    (3) Guaranteed loan and grant combination applications. Funding for 
grant and loan combination packages are subject to the funding 
limitations specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this section. For 
grant and loan combination packages, the minimum grant portion of the 
combined funding request is $1,500 for energy efficiency improvement 
projects and $2,500 for renewable energy system projects.

D. Award Process

    In addition to the process for awarding funding under 7 CFR part 
4280, subpart B, the Agency will make awards using the following 
considerations:
    (1) Application period. Applications may be submitted at any time 
during FY 2010. Complete applications must be received by the 
appropriate State Office by 4:30 pm local time June 30, 2010, to be 
considered for funding in FY 2010. Applications received after that 
time and date will be retained by the State Office for consideration 
for funding in FY 2011.
    (2) Resubmittal of FY 2009 applications. If an applicant submitted 
an application for funding in FY 2009 and that application was 
determined eligible but was not funded, the Agency will consider that 
FY 2009 application for funding in FY 2010 as provided below.
    (i) An applicant for the program in FY 2009 must submit a written 
request for the Agency to reconsider its FY 2009 application in FY 
2010. Guarantee Loan and Grant Combination applications will require a 
written request from both the lender and grant applicant to maintain 
the application request.
    (ii) If the applicant will be revising its FY 2009 application, a 
new application must be submitted. If the applicant will not be 
revising its FY 2009 application, a new application is not required.
    (iii) The submission date of record of each FY 2009 application 
requesting consideration for FY 2010 will remain unchanged from its 
original FY 2009 submittal date.
    (iv) For all applicable applications, current financial statements 
that meet program requirements as outlined in 7 CFR 4280.111(b)(4) must 
be submitted with the written request. The submission of financial 
statements will not require a new application to be submitted, unless 
the financial information results in a change to the application's 
score.
    (v) Except as provided elsewhere in this section, applications for 
grants of $20,000 or less do not have to submit a new application 
because the Agency has decided not to assign ten (10) additional 
priority points to those grants under this Notice. The Agency will 
update the application score without requiring submittal of a new 
application.
    (vi) Request for funding consideration of FY 2009 applications in 
FY 2010 must be received no later than 4:30 pm local time June 30, 
2010, in order to be considered. Request for funding consideration of 
FY 2009 applications received after 4:30 pm local time June 30, 2010, 
regardless of the request's postmark, will not be considered further.
    (3) Demonstrated financial need. As required in 7 CFR 
4280.107(a)(5), 4280.109(b)(2), and 4280.193(a), the applicant for a 
grant or combination guaranteed loan and grant, must demonstrate 
financial need. Only those packages that demonstrate financial need 
will be considered for funding.
    (4) Funding awards. Considering the availability of funds, State 
Offices will fund those applications that score the highest; that is, 
the score an application receives will be compared to the scores of 
other applications, with higher scoring applications receiving first 
consideration for funding.
    (5) Grant-only applications of $20,000 or less. To ensure that 
small projects have a fair opportunity to compete for the funding and 
consistent with the priorities set forth in the statute, the Agency 
will use not less than 20 percent of the funds allocated to the Rural 
Energy for America Program for grants of $20,000 or less.
    (6) Combination applications. Applicants whose combination 
applications are approved for funding must utilize both the loan 
guarantee and the grant. The Agency reserves the right to reduce the 
total loan guarantee and grant award as appropriate.
    (7) Application withdrawal. During the period between the 
submission of an application and the execution of documents, the 
applicant must notify the Agency, in writing, if the project is no 
longer viable or the applicant is no longer requesting financial 
assistance for the project. When the applicant notifies the Agency, the 
selection will be rescinded or the application withdrawn.
    (8) Change of contractor or vendor. After an award has been made, 
the recipient of the award can request to change a contractor or vendor 
if the technical merit score for the project remains the same or is 
higher. Prior to changing a contractor or vendor, the recipient must 
submit to the Agency a written request providing information that 
allows the Agency to rescore the project's technical merit. If the 
Agency determines that the project achieves the same or higher 
technical merit score, the recipient may make the change. No additional 
funding will be available from the Agency if costs for the project have 
increased. If the Agency determines that the project does not achieve 
the same or higher technical merit score, the change will not be 
approved.
    (9) Evaluation criteria. Agency personnel will score each 
application based on the evaluation criteria specified in 7 CFR 
4280.112(e).
    (10) Intergovernmental review. If State or local governments raise 
objections to a proposed project under the intergovernmental review 
process that are not resolved within 90 days of the Agency's selection 
of the application, the Agency will rescind the selection and will 
provide the applicant with a written notice to that effect.

V. Administrative Information Applicable to This Notice

A. Notifications

    (1) Eligibility. If an applicant is determined by the Agency to be 
eligible for participation, the Agency will notify the applicant in 
writing. If an applicant is determined by the Agency to be ineligible, 
the Agency will notify the applicant, in writing, as to the reason(s) 
the applicant was rejected. Such applicant will have appeal rights as 
specified in this Notice.

[[Page 21590]]

    (2) Award. Each applicant will be notified of the Agency's decision 
on their application.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    (1) Review or appeal rights. A person may seek a review of an 
Agency decision under this Notice from the appropriate Agency official 
that oversees the program in question or appeal to the National Appeals 
Division in accordance with 7 CFR part 11 of this title. If the review 
or appeal involves a combination funding request, both the lender and 
borrower must request the review or appeal.
    (2) Notification. If at any time prior to application approval it 
is decided that favorable action will not be taken on an application, 
the Agency will notify the applicant in writing of the decision and of 
the reasons why the request was not favorably considered. The 
notification will inform applicants of their rights to informal review, 
mediation, and appeal of the decision in accordance with 7 CFR part 11 
and 7 CFR part 1900, subpart B.

C. Exception Authority

    This notice incorporates the exception authority found in 7 CFR 
4280.104.

D. Member or Delegate Clause

    No member of or delegate to Congress shall receive any share or 
part of this grant or any benefit that may arise therefrom; but this 
provision shall not be construed to bar as a contractor under the grant 
a publicly held corporation whose ownership might include a member of 
Congress.

VI. Agency Contacts

    Notice Contact. For further information about this Notice, please 
contact the USDA Rural Development-Energy Division, Program Branch, 
STOP 3225, Room 6867, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20250-3225. Telephone: (202) 720-1400.
    If you have any questions concerning this Notice, contact one of 
Rural Development's Energy Coordinators, as provided in the Addresses 
section of this Notice.

VII. Nondiscrimination Statement

    USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on 
the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where 
applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, 
religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, 
reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived 
from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to 
all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means 
for communication of program information (Braille, large print, 
audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 
(voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, 
Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 
720-6382 (TDD). ``USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and 
lender.''

VIII. Civil Rights Compliance Requirements

    All grants and guaranteed loans made under this Notice are subject 
to title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and part 1901, subpart E of 
this title.

    Dated: April 20, 2010.
Judith A. Canales,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.

Appendix A--Technical Reports for Hydropower Projects

    The technical requirements specified in this appendix apply to 
all hydropower projects. Hydropower projects are those projects that 
create hydroelectric or ocean energy.
    The Technical Report for hydropower projects must demonstrate 
that the project design, procurement, installation, startup, 
operation, and maintenance of the renewable energy system will 
operate or perform as specified over its design life in a reliable 
and a cost-effective manner. The Technical Report must also identify 
all necessary project agreements, demonstrate that those agreements 
will be in place, and that necessary project equipment and services 
are available over the design life.
    All technical information provided must follow the format 
specified in this appendix. Supporting information may be submitted 
in other formats. Design drawings and process flowcharts are 
encouraged as exhibits. A discussion of each topic is not necessary 
if the topic is not applicable to the specific project. Questions 
identified in the Agency's technical review of the project must be 
answered to the Agency's satisfaction before the application will be 
approved. The applicant must submit the original Technical Report 
plus one copy to the Rural Development State Office. Hydropower 
projects with total eligible project costs greater than $400,000 
require the services of a licensed professional engineer (PE) or 
team of PEs. Depending on the level of engineering required for the 
specific project or if necessary to ensure public safety, the 
services of a licensed PE or a team of licensed PEs may be required 
for smaller projects.
    (a) Qualifications of project team. The hydropower project team 
should consist of a system designer, a project manager, an equipment 
supplier, a project engineer, a construction contractor, and a 
system operator and maintainer. One individual or entity may serve 
more than one role. The project team must have demonstrated 
expertise in hydropower development, engineering, installation, and 
maintenance. Authoritative evidence that project team service 
providers have the necessary professional credentials or relevant 
experience to perform the required services must be provided. 
Authoritative evidence that vendors of proprietary components can 
provide necessary equipment and spare parts for the system to 
operate over its design life must also be provided. The application 
must:
    (1) Discuss the proposed project delivery method. Such methods 
include a design, bid, build where a separate engineering firm may 
design the project and prepare a request for bids and the successful 
bidder constructs the project at the applicant's risk, and a design/
build method, often referred to as turnkey, where the applicant 
establishes the specifications for the project and secures the 
services of a developer who will design and build the project at the 
developer's risk;
    (2) Discuss the hydropower equipment manufacturers of major 
components being considered in terms of the length of time in 
business and the number of units installed at the capacity and scale 
being considered;
    (3) Discuss the project manager, equipment supplier, system 
designer, project engineer, and construction contractor 
qualifications for engineering, designing, and installing hydropower 
systems, including any relevant certifications by recognized 
organizations. Provide a list of the same or similar projects 
designed, installed, or supplied and currently operating with 
references, if available; and
    (4) Describe the system operator's qualifications and experience 
for servicing, operating, and maintaining hydropower projects. 
Provide a list of the same or similar projects designed, installed, 
or supplied and currently operating with references, if available.
    (b) Agreements, permits, and certifications. Identify all 
necessary agreements and permits required for the project and the 
status and schedule for securing those agreements and permits, 
including the items specified in paragraphs (b)(1) through (6).
    (1) Identify zoning and code issues and required permits and the 
anticipated schedule for meeting those requirements and securing 
those permits. This list should include all local, state, and 
federal permits required, estimated timeline for each permit and 
current status of acquiring each permit.
    (2) Identify land use agreements required for the project and 
the anticipated schedule for securing the agreements and the term of 
those agreements.
    (3) Identify available component warranties for the specific 
project location and size.
    (4) For systems planning to interconnect with a utility, 
describe the utility's system interconnection requirements, power 
purchase arrangements, or licenses where required and the 
anticipated schedule for meeting those requirements and obtaining 
those agreements.
    (5) Identify all environmental issues, including environmental 
compliance issues, associated with the project on Form RD

[[Page 21591]]

1940-20, ``Request for Environmental Information,'' and in 
compliance with 7 CFR part 1940, subpart G, of this title. (Note: 
The environmental review process, including all required 
publications, must be completed prior to approval of any Rural 
Development funding.) The applicant may want to work with all 
federal organizations involved with the project, to promulgate a 
single environmental review document.
    (6) Submit a statement certifying that the project will be 
installed in accordance with applicable local, State, and national 
codes, regulations, and permits.
    (c) Resource assessment. Provide adequate and appropriate data 
to demonstrate the amount of renewable resource available. Indicate 
the quality of the resource, including temperature (if applicable), 
flow, and sustainability of the resource, including a summary of the 
resource evaluation process and the specifications of the 
measurement setup and the date and duration of the evaluation 
process and proximity to the proposed site. If less than 1 year of 
data is used, a qualified consultant must provide a detailed 
analysis of the correlation between the site data and a nearby, 
long-term measurement site.
    (d) Design and engineering. Provide authoritative evidence that 
the system will be designed and engineered so as to meet its 
intended purpose, will ensure public safety, and will comply with 
applicable laws, regulations, agreements, permits, codes, and 
standards. Projects shall be engineered by a qualified party. 
Systems must be engineered as a complete, integrated system with 
matched components. The engineering must be comprehensive, including 
site selection, system and component selection, conversion system 
component selection, design of the local collection grid, 
interconnection equipment selection, and system monitoring 
equipment. Systems must be constructed by a qualified party.
    (1) Provide a concise but complete description of the hydropower 
project, including location of the project, resource 
characteristics, system specifications, electric power system 
interconnection equipment and project monitoring equipment. Identify 
possible vendors and models of major system components. Provide the 
expected system energy production on a monthly and annual basis.
    (2) Describe the project site and address issues such as site 
access, proximity to the electrical grid, environmental concerns 
with emphasis on land use, air quality, water quality, habitat 
fragmentation, visibility, noise, construction, and installation 
issues. Identify any unique construction and installation issues.
    (e) Project development schedule. Identify each significant 
task, its beginning and end, and its relationship to the time needed 
to initiate and carry the project through startup and shakedown. 
Provide a detailed description of the project timeline, including 
resource assessment, system and site design, permits and agreements, 
equipment procurement, and system installation from excavation 
through startup and shakedown.
    (f) Project economic assessment. Provide a study that describes 
the costs and revenues of the proposed project to demonstrate the 
financial performance of the proposed project. Provide a detailed 
analysis and description of project costs, including project 
management, resource assessment, project design, project permitting, 
land agreements, equipment, site preparation, system installation, 
startup and shakedown, warranties, insurance, financing, 
professional services, and operations and maintenance costs. Provide 
a detailed description of applicable investment incentives, 
productivity incentives, loans, and grants. Provide a detailed 
analysis and description of annual project revenues, including 
electricity sales, production tax credits, revenues from green tags, 
and any other production incentive programs throughout the life of 
the project. Provide a description of planned contingency fees or 
reserve funds to be used for unexpected large component replacement 
or repairs and for low productivity periods. In addition, provide 
other information necessary to assess the project's cost 
effectiveness.
    (g) Equipment procurement. Demonstrate that equipment required 
by the system is available and can be procured and delivered within 
the proposed project development schedule. Hydropower systems may be 
constructed of components manufactured in more than one location. 
Provide a description of any unique equipment procurement issues 
such as scheduling and timing of component manufacture and delivery, 
ordering, warranties, shipping, receiving, and on-site storage or 
inventory. Provide a detailed description of equipment 
certification. Identify all the major equipment that is proprietary 
and justify how this unique equipment is needed to meet the 
requirements of the proposed design. Include a statement from the 
applicant certifying that ``open and free'' competition will be used 
for the procurement of project components in a manner consistent 
with the requirements of 7 CFR part 3015 of this title.
    (h) Equipment installation. Describe fully the management of and 
plan for site development and system installation, provide details 
regarding the scheduling of major installation equipment, including 
cranes, barges or other devices, needed for project construction, 
and provide a description of the startup and shakedown 
specifications and process and the conditions required for startup 
and shakedown for each equipment item individually and for the 
system as a whole. Include a statement from the applicant certifying 
that equipment installation will be made in accordance with all 
applicable safety and work rules.
    (i) Operations and maintenance. Identify the operations and 
maintenance requirements of the system necessary for the system to 
operate as designed over the design life. The application must:
    (1) Ensure that systems must have at least a 3-year warranty for 
equipment. Provide information regarding turbine warranties and 
availability of spare parts;
    (2) Describe the routine operations and maintenance requirements 
of the proposed project, including maintenance schedules for the 
mechanical and electrical systems and system monitoring and control 
requirements;
    (3) Provide information that supports expected design life of 
the system and timing of major component replacement or rebuilds;
    (4) Provide and discuss the risk management plan for handling 
large, potential failures of major components such as the turbine 
gearbox or rotor. Include in the discussion, costs and labor 
associated with the operation and maintenance of the system, and 
plans for in-sourcing or out-sourcing;
    (5) Describe opportunities for technology transfer for long-term 
project operations and maintenance by a local entity or owner/
operator; and
    (6) For owner maintained portions of the system, describe any 
unique knowledge, skills, or abilities needed for service operations 
or maintenance.
    (j) Dismantling and disposal of project components. Describe a 
plan for dismantling and disposing of project components and 
associated wastes at the end of their useful lives. Describe the 
budget for and any unique concerns associated with the dismantling 
and disposal of project components and their wastes.

[FR Doc. 2010-9580 Filed 4-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P