Notice of Funding Availability for the Rural Energy for America Program, 2948-2954 [2012-755]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
2948
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 13 / Friday, January 20, 2012 / Notices
requirements of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37
CFR 404.7.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Richard J. Brenner,
Assistant Administrator.
Notice of Funding Availability for the
Rural Energy for America Program
[FR Doc. 2012–1102 Filed 1–19–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–03–P
Rural Business-Cooperative
Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability
(NOFA).
AGENCY:
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Lake Tahoe Basin Federal Advisory
Committee (LTFAC)
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Lake Tahoe Federal
Advisory Committee will hold a
meeting on February 9, 2012 at the
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, 128
Market Street, Stateline, NV 89449. This
Committee, established by the Secretary
of Agriculture on December 15, 1998 (64
FR 2876), is chartered to provide advice
to the Secretary on implementing the
terms of the Federal Interagency
Partnership on the Lake Tahoe Region
and other matters raised by the
Secretary.
SUMMARY:
The meeting will be held
February 9, 2012, beginning at 9 a.m.
and ending at 12 p.m.
ADDRESSES: Tahoe Regional Planning
Agency, 128 Market Street, Stateline,
NV 89449.
DATES:
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO
REQUEST AN ACCOMMODATION CONTACT:
Arla Hains, Lake Tahoe Basin
Management Unit, Forest Service, 35
College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA
96150, (530) 543–2773.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Items to
be covered on the agenda: (1) Review
and confirm the LTFAC Vision and
Strategic Planning Session outcomes,
and (2) public comment.
All Lake Tahoe Basin Federal
Advisory Committee meetings are open
to the public. Interested citizens are
encouraged to attend at the above
address. Issues may be brought to the
attention of the Committee during the
open public comment period at the
meeting or by filing written statements
with the secretary for the Committee
before or after the meeting. Please refer
any written comments to the Lake
Tahoe Basin Management Unit at the
contact address stated above.
Dated: January 13, 2012.
Michael Gabor,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2012–1117 Filed 1–19–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:12 Jan 19, 2012
This NOFA announces the
acceptance of applications under the
Rural Energy for America Program
(REAP) for Fiscal Year 2012 for financial
assistance as follows: grants, guaranteed
loans, and combined grants and
guaranteed loans for the development
and 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 system
feasibility studies. The Notice also
announces the availability of $25.4
million of Fiscal Year 2012 budget
authority to fund these REAP activities,
which will support at least $12.5
million in grant program level and up to
approximately $48.5 million in
guaranteed loan program level.
DATES: In order to be considered for
Fiscal Year 2012 funds, complete
applications under this Notice must be
received by the appropriate USDA Rural
Development State Office no later than
4:30 p.m. local time of the dates as
follows:
For renewable energy system and
energy efficiency improvement grant
applications and combination grant and
guaranteed loan applications: March 30,
2012.
For renewable energy system and
energy efficiency improvement
guaranteed loan only applications: On a
continuous basis up to June 29, 2012.
For renewable energy system
feasibility study applications: March 30,
2012.
For energy audits and renewable
energy development assistance
applications: February 21, 2012.
ADDRESSES: See the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION for addresses concerning
applications for the Rural Energy for
America Program for Fiscal Year 2012
funds.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
information about this Notice, please
contact Mr. Kelley Oehler, Branch Chief,
USDA Rural Development, Energy
Division, 1400 Independence Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20250. Telephone:
(202) 720–6819. Email:
kelley.oehler@wdc.usda.gov.
SUMMARY:
Jkt 226001
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
For further information on this
program, please contact the applicable
USDA Rural Development Energy
Coordinator for your respective State, as
provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section of this Notice.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Fiscal Year 2012 Applications for the
Rural Energy for America Program
Applications. Application materials
may be obtained by contacting one of
Rural Development’s Energy
Coordinators. 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 Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (CFDA) Number 10.868 or
FedGrants Funding Opportunity
Number, which can be found at https://
www.Grants.gov.
Application submittal. For renewable
energy system, energy efficiency
improvement, and feasibility study
applications, submit complete paper
applications to the Rural Development
State Office in the State in which the
applicant’s proposed project is located.
For energy audit and renewable energy
development assistance applications,
submit complete paper applications to
the Rural Development State Office in
the State in which the applicant is
headquartered.
Submit electronic grant only
applications at https://www.grants.gov,
following the instructions found on this
Web site.
Rural Development Energy
Coordinators
Note: Telephone numbers listed are not
toll-free.
Alabama
Marcia Johnson, USDA Rural
Development, Sterling Centre, Suite
601, 4121 Carmichael Road,
Montgomery, AL 36106–3683, (334)
279–3453,
marcia.johnson@al.usda.gov.
Alaska
Chad Stovall, USDA Rural
Development, 800 West Evergreen,
Suite 201, Palmer, AK 99645–6539,
(907) 761–7718,
chad.stovall@ak.usda.gov.
American Samoa (See Hawaii)
Arizona
Gary Mack, USDA Rural Development,
230 North First Avenue, Suite 206,
E:\FR\FM\20JAN1.SGM
20JAN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 13 / Friday, January 20, 2012 / Notices
Suite A, Champaign, IL 61821, (217)
403–6218, mary.warren@il.usda.gov.
Phoenix, AZ 85003–1706, (602) 280–
8717, Gary.Mack@az.usda.gov.
Arkansas
Laura Tucker, USDA Rural
Development, 700 West Capitol
Avenue, Room 3416, Little Rock, AR
72201–3225, (501) 301–3280,
Laura.Tucker@ar.usda.gov.
California
Philip Brown, USDA Rural
Development, 430 G Street, #4169,
Davis, CA 95616, (530) 792–5811,
Phil.brown@ca.usda.gov.
David Kramer, USDA Rural
Development, 1303 SW First
American Place, Suite 100, Topeka,
KS 66604–4040, (785) 271–2730,
david.kramer@ks.usda.gov.
Montana
John Guthmiller, USDA Rural
Development, 2229 Boot Hill Court,
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
Mark Williams, USDA Rural
Development, 1390 South Curry
Street, Carson City, NV 89703, (775)
887–1222,
mark.williams@nv.usda.gov.
Louisiana
New Hampshire (See Vermont)
Kevin Boone, USDA Rural
Development, 905 Jefferson Street,
Suite 320, Lafayette, LA 70501, (337)
262–6601, Ext. 133,
Kevin.Boone@la.usda.gov.
Delaware/Maryland
Bruce Weaver, USDA Rural
Development, 1221 College Park
Drive, Suite 200, Dover, DE 19904,
(302) 857–3629,
Bruce.Weaver@de.usda.gov.
Federated States of Micronesia (See
Hawaii)
Florida/Virgin Islands
Angela Prioleau, USDA Rural
Development, 4440 NW. 25th Place,
Gainesville, FL 32606, (352) 338–
3412, angela.prioleua@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/
American 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.
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Kansas
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.
Scott Maas, USDA Rural Development,
771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200,
Lexington, KY 40503, (859) 224–7435,
scott.maas@ky.usda.gov.
Connecticut (see Massachusetts)
Idaho
Brian Buch, USDA Rural Development,
9173 W. Barnes Drive, Suite A1,
Boise, ID 83709, (208) 378–5623,
Brian.Buch@id.usda.gov.
Illinois
Mary Warren, USDA Rural
Development, 2118 West Park Court,
Jkt 226001
Iowa
Maine
New Jersey
Victoria Fekete, USDA Rural
Development, 8000 Midlantic Drive,
Suite 500N, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054,
(856) 787–7752,
Victoria.Fekete@nj.usda.gov.
Beverly Stone, USDA Rural
Development, 967 Illinois Avenue,
Suite 4, P.O. Box 405, Bangor, ME
04402–0405, (207) 990–9125,
Beverly.Stone@me.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.
Maryland (see Delaware)
New York
Scott Collins, USDA Rural
Development, 9025 River Road,
Marcy, NY 13403, (315) 736–3316 Ext.
127, scott.collins@ny.usda.gov.
Kentucky
Commonwealth of the Northern
Marianas Islands-CNMI (See Hawaii)
14:12 Jan 19, 2012
Jerry Hay, USDA Rural Development,
5975 Lakeside Boulevard,
Indianapolis, IN 46278, (812) 346–
3411, Ext. 126, Jerry.Hay@in.usda.gov.
Kate Sand, USDA Rural Development,
909 E. 2nd Avenue, Suite C,
Indianola, IA 50125, (515) 961–5365
Ext.130, kate.sand@ia.usda.gov.
Colorado
Janice Pond, USDA Rural Development,
Denver Federal Center, Building 56,
Room 2300, P.O. Box 25426, Denver,
CO 80225–0426, (720) 544–2907,
Janice.pond@co.usda.gov.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
Indiana
2949
Massachusetts/Rhode Island/
Connecticut
Charles W. Dubuc, USDA Rural
Development, 60 Quaker Lane, Suite
44, Warwick, RI 02886, (401) 822–
8867, Charles.Dubuc@ma.usda.gov.
Michigan
Rick Vanderbeek, USDA Rural
Development, 3001 Coolidge Road,
Suite 200, East Lansing, MI 48823,
(517) 324–5157,
rick.vanderbeek@mi.usda.gov.
Minnesota
Ron Oman, USDA Rural Development,
375 Jackson St., Suite 410, St. Paul,
MN 55101, (651) 602–7796,
Ron.Omann@mn.usda.gov.
Mississippi
G. Gary Jones, USDA Rural
Development, 100 W. Capital Street,
Suite 831, Jackson, MS 39269, (601)
965–5457, george.jones@ms.usda.gov.
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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.
E:\FR\FM\20JAN1.SGM
20JAN1
2950
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 13 / Friday, January 20, 2012 / Notices
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.
Floor, Montpelier, VT 05602, (802)
828–6083,
cheryl.ducharme@vt.usda.gov.
Virginia
Laurette Tucker, USDA Rural
Development, 1606 Santa Rosa Road,
Suite 238, Richmond, VA 23229, (434)
392–4906 Ext. 125, (804) 287–1606,
Laurette.Tucker@va.usda.gov.
Virgin Islands (see Florida)
Pennsylvania
Amanda Krugh, USDA Rural
Development, 1 Credit Union Place,
Suite 330, Harrisburg, PA 17110–
2996, Phone: (717) 237–2289,
Amanda.Krugh@pa.usda.gov.
Washington
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.
West Virginia
Republic of Palau (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.
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.
Tennessee
Will Dodson, USDA Rural Development,
3322 West End Avenue, Suite 300,
Nashville, TN 37203–1084, (615) 783–
1350, will.dodson@tn.usda.gov.
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Texas
Billy Curb, USDA Rural Development,
Federal Building, Suite 102, 101
South Main Street, Temple, TX 76501,
(254) 742–9775,
billy.curb@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.
14:12 Jan 19, 2012
Jkt 226001
Wisconsin
Wyoming
South Dakota
Kenneth Lynch, USDA Rural
Development, Federal Building, Room
210, 200 4th Street SW., Huron, SD
57350, (605) 352–1120,
ken.lynch@sd.usda.gov.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
Lisa Sharp, USDA Rural Development,
1550 Earl Core Road, Suite 101,
Morgantown, WV 26505–7500, (304)
284–4871, lisa.sharp@wv.usda.gov.
Brenda Heinen, USDA Rural
Development, 4949 Kirschling Court,
Stevens Point, WI 54481, (715) 345–
7615, Ext. 139,
Brenda.Heinen@wi.usda.gov.
Republic of the Marshall Islands (See
Hawaii)
Vermont/New Hampshire
Cheryl Ducharme, USDA Rural
Development, 89 Main Street, 3rd
Mary Traxler, USDA Rural
Development, 1835 Black Lake Blvd.
SW., Suite B, Olympia, WA 98512,
(360) 704–7762,
Mary.Traxler@wa.usda.gov.
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
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 have also
been approved by OMB under OMB
Control Number 0570–0059 and OMB
Control Number 0570–0061,
respectively.
Overview
Federal Agency Name: Rural
Business-Cooperative Service.
Contract Proposal Title: Rural Energy
for America Program.
Announcement Type: Initial
announcement.
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance Number: 10.868.
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Dates: Grant applications and
combined grant and guaranteed loan
applications for renewable energy
systems and energy efficiency
improvement projects under this Notice
will be accepted up to March 30, 2012.
Guaranteed loan only applications for
renewable energy system and energy
efficiency improvement projects will be
accepted on a continuous basis, but to
compete for Fiscal Year 2012 funding,
complete applications must be
submitted to the Agency by June 29,
2012. Applications for renewable energy
feasibility studies will be accepted up to
March 30, 2012. Energy audit and
renewable energy development
assistance grants will be accepted up to
February 21, 2012.
For all applications submitted under
this Notice, complete applications must
be received by the appropriate USDA
Rural Development State Office no later
than 4:30 p.m. local time of the
applicable application deadline date in
order to be considered for Fiscal Year
2012 funds. Any application received
after its applicable date and time,
regardless of the postmark on the
application, will not be considered for
Fiscal Year 2012 funds.
Availability of Notice: This Notice for
the Rural Energy for America Program is
available through the USDA Rural
Development Web site at https://
www.rurdev.usda.gov/Energy.html.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Purpose of the Rural Energy for
America Program. 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.
B. Statutory Authority. This program
is authorized under 7 U.S.C. 8107.
C. Definition of Terms. The
definitions applicable to this Notice are
published at 7 CFR 4280.103. In
addition, the following definition
applies to this Notice.
Hybrid. A combination of two or more
renewable energy technologies that are
incorporated into a unified system to
support a single project.
II. Award Information
A. Available funds. The amount of
funds available for renewable energy
systems and energy efficiency
improvements in Fiscal Year 2012 will
be approximately $59.6 million. For
renewable energy system and energy
efficiency improvement projects only,
there will be an allocation of funds to
each State, and the Rural Development’s
National Office will maintain a reserve
of funds.
E:\FR\FM\20JAN1.SGM
20JAN1
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 13 / Friday, January 20, 2012 / Notices
The amount of grant funds available
for renewable energy system feasibility
studies in Fiscal Year 2012 will be
$500,000. The balance of the funds
unused for the feasibility study grants
may be utilized in any of the renewable
energy system and energy efficiency
improvement National competitions.
The amount of funds available for
energy audits and renewable energy
development assistance in Fiscal Year
2012 will be $880,000. Obligations of
these funds will take place through
March 31, 2012. Any unobligated
balances will be moved to the renewable
energy subsidy account as of April 1,
2012. These funds may be utilized in
any of the renewable energy system and
energy efficiency improvement National
competitions. In order to ensure that
small projects have a fair opportunity to
compete for the funding and are
consistent with the priorities set forth in
the statute, the Agency will set-aside
approximately $5 million to fund grants
of $20,000 or less. Obligations of these
funds will take place through June 30,
2012. Any unobligated balances will be
moved to the renewable energy subsidy
account as of July 1, 2012. These funds
may be utilized in any of the renewable
energy system and energy efficiency
improvement National competitions.
B. Approximate number of awards.
The number of awards will depend on
the amount of funds made available and
on the number of eligible applicants
participating in this program.
C. State and National competitions.
Renewable energy system and energy
efficiency improvement applications for
Fiscal Year 2012 funds will compete for
funds allocated to their State for
competition. Separate competitions will
be held for (1) grant only and grant and
guaranteed loan combination
applications; (2) grants of $20,000 or
less applications, and (3) guaranteed
loan only applications. Grant only and
grant and guaranteed loan combination
applications and grants of $20,000 or
less applications will each have one
State competition. All unfunded eligible
grant only and grant and guaranteed
loan combination applications received
by March 30, 2011, will be competed
against other grant only and grant and
guaranteed loan combination
applications from other States at a final
National competition. However, the
Agency reserves the right to hold a
separate National competition for grants
of $20,000 or less if funding remains
after the State competition. Obligations
of these funds will take place through
June 30, 2012. State competitions will
be held bi-weekly for guaranteed loan
only applications. A minimum score of
50 is required for guaranteed loan only
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:12 Jan 19, 2012
Jkt 226001
applications to compete in the State
competitions. If a State does not have
sufficient funds to make a guaranteed
loan award, funding may be obtained
from the guaranteed loan reserves held
at the National Office. The guaranteed
loan application will not have to
compete any further. Finally, all
unfunded eligible guaranteed loan only
applications received by June 29, 2011,
will be competed against other
guaranteed loan only applications from
other States at a final National
competition if the guaranteed loan
reserves have not been completely
depleted. If funds remain after the final
guaranteed loan only National
competition, the Agency may elect to
utilize budget authority to fund
additional grant only and grant and
guaranteed loan combination
applications that competed in the
National competition. Renewable energy
system feasibility study grant
applications and energy audits and
renewable energy development
assistance grant applications will
compete in separate National
competitions.
D. Type of instrument. Grant,
guaranteed loan, and grant/guaranteed
loan combinations.
E. Funding limitations. The following
funding limitations apply to
applications submitted under to this
Notice.
(1) Maximum grant assistance to an
entity. For the purposes of this Notice,
the maximum amount of grant
assistance to an entity will not exceed
$750,000 for Fiscal Year 2012 based on
the total amount of renewable energy
system, energy efficiency improvement,
and renewable energy feasibility study
grants awarded to an entity under the
Rural Energy for America Program.
(2) Maximum percentage of Agency
funding. The Food, Conservation, and
Energy Act of 2008, Pub. L. No. 110–
234, 122 Stat. 93 (May 22, 2008) (2008
Farm Bill) mandates the maximum
percentages of funding that USDA Rural
Development will provide. Within the
maximum funding amounts specified in
this Notice, renewable energy system
and energy efficiency improvement
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 total eligible
project costs, whether the grant is part
of a combination request or is a standalone grant.
(3) Reallocation of loan and grants
funds. The Agency reserves the right, at
its discretion, to move funds between
grant and loan budget authority based
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
2951
upon the demand of applications
received under this Notice after June 29,
2012.
(4) Universal identifier and Central
Contract Registration (CCR). Unless
exempt under 2 CFR § 25.110, all
applicants must:
(a) Be registered in the CCR prior to
submitting an application or plan;
(b) Maintain an active CCR
registration with current information at
all times during which it has an active
Federal award or an application or plan
under consideration by the Agency; and
(c) Provide its DUNS number in each
application or plan it submits to the
Agency.
(5) Transparency Act Reporting. All
recipients of Federal financial assistance
are required to report information about
first-tier subawards and executive
compensation in accordance with 2 CFR
part 170. So long as an entity applicant
does not have an exception under 2 CFR
section 170.110(b), the applicant must
have the necessary processes and
systems in place to comply with the
reporting requirements should the
applicant receive funding. See 2 CFR
section 170.200(b).
(6) Renewable energy system and
energy efficiency improvement grantonly 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.
(7) Renewable energy system and
energy efficiency improvement loan
guarantee-only applications. For
renewable energy system and energy
efficiency improvement loan guarantees,
the minimum guaranteed loan amount
is $5,000 and the maximum amount of
a guaranteed loan to be provided to a
borrower is $25 million.
(8) Renewable energy system and
energy efficiency improvement
guaranteed loan and grant combination
applications. Funding for grant and loan
combination packages for renewable
energy systems and energy efficiency
improvement projects are subject to the
funding limitations specified in Section
II.E.(2). The maximum amount for the
grant portion is $500,000 for renewable
energy systems and $250,000 for energy
efficiency improvements. The minimum
amount of the grant portion is $1,500 for
either renewable energy systems or
energy efficiency improvements. For the
guarantee portion, the maximum
amount is $25 million and the
minimum amount is $5,000.
(9) Renewable energy system
feasibility study grant applications. The
maximum amount of grant funds that
will be made available for an eligible
E:\FR\FM\20JAN1.SGM
20JAN1
2952
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 13 / Friday, January 20, 2012 / Notices
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
feasibility study project under this
subpart to any one recipient will not
exceed $50,000 or 25 percent of the total
eligible project cost of the study,
whichever is less.
(10) Energy audit and renewable
energy development assistance grant
applications. The maximum aggregate
amount of energy audit and renewable
energy development assistance grants
awarded to any one recipient under this
Notice cannot exceed $100,000 for
Fiscal Year 2012. In addition, the 2008
Farm Bill mandates that the recipient of
a grant that conducts an energy audit for
an agricultural producer or a rural small
business must require the agricultural
producer or rural small business to pay
at least 25 percent of the cost of the
energy audit, which shall be retained by
the eligible entity for the cost of the
audit.
III. Eligibility Information
A. Eligible applicants. To be eligible
for this program, an applicant must
meet the eligibility requirements
specified in 7 CFR 4280.109, 7 CFR
4280.110(c), and, as applicable, 7 CFR
4280.112, 7 CFR 4280.122, 7 CFR
4280.170, or 7 CFR 4280.186.
For the purpose of this Notice, and in
addition to meeting the small business
size determination as defined under
small business in 7 CFR 4280.103, rural
small business applicants must
demonstrate that the majority (i.e. 51
percent or more) of their past 3 years’
annual receipts from their business
operation are derived from a rural area.
If the rural small business applicant has
not engaged in business operations for
the past 3 years, than information for as
long as the rural small business
applicant has been in business must be
submitted. To ensure that there is
sufficient information for the Agency to
make this determination; rural small
business applicants, as part of their
application requirements in 7 CFR
4280.116 (b)(v)(A), should list the
physical address, total annual receipts
and number of employees for each
urban or rural location. The Agency will
make this determination for rural small
business applicants that do not have any
annual receipts (new businesses only)
on the location of the rural small
business applicant.
B. Eligible lenders. To be eligible for
this program, lenders must meet the
eligibility requirements in 7 CFR
4280.130.
C. Eligible projects. To be eligible for
this program, a project must meet the
eligibility requirements specified in 7
CFR 4280.113, 7 CFR 4280.123, 7 CFR
4280.171, and 7 CFR 4280.187, as
applicable.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:12 Jan 19, 2012
Jkt 226001
IV. Fiscal Year 2012 Application and
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 containing all parts
necessary for the Agency to determine
applicant and project eligibility, to score
the application, and to conduct the
technical evaluation, as applicable in
order to be considered.
applicant’s proposed project is located.
All energy audit and renewable energy
development assistance applications are
to be submitted to the USDA Rural
Development Energy Coordinator in the
State in which the applicant is
headquartered. A list of USDA Rural
Development Energy Coordinators is
provided in the ADDRESSES section of
this Notice. Alternatively, for grant only
applications, applicants may submit
their electronic applications to the
Agency via the Grants.gov Web site.
A. Where To Obtain Applications
Applicants may obtain applications
from any USDA 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 10.868 or
FedGrants Funding Opportunity
Number, which can be found at https://
www.Grants.gov.
When you enter the Grants.gov site,
you will find information about
submitting an application electronically
through the site. 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. USDA Rural Development
strongly recommends that applicants do
not wait until the application deadline
date to begin the application process
through Grants.gov.
D. How To Submit
Applicants may submit their
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.
(1) Grant applications. All grant
applications may be submitted either as
hard copy to the appropriate Rural
Development Energy Coordinator or
electronically using the Governmentwide 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.
(3) Guaranteed loan/grant
combination applications. Applications
for guaranteed loans/grants
(combination applications) must be
submitted as hard copy.
B. When To Submit
Complete applications submitted
under this Notice must be received by
the appropriate USDA Rural
Development State Office no later than
4:30 p.m. local time on the applicable
date as identified in the DATES section
of this Notice, in order to be considered
for Fiscal Year 2012 funds. Any
application received after 4:30 p.m.
local time on the applicable date,
regardless of the postmark on the
application, will not be considered for
Fiscal Year 2012 funds.
C. Where To Submit
All renewable energy system, energy
efficiency improvement, and renewable
energy system feasibility study
applications are to be submitted to the
USDA Rural Development Energy
Coordinator in the State in which the
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E. Other Submission Requirements and
Information
(1) Application restrictions.
Applicants may apply for only one
renewable energy system project and
one energy efficiency improvement
project in Fiscal Year 2012. A renewable
energy system application cannot be
submitted in Fiscal Year 2012 if a REAP
feasibility study grant application for
the same renewable energy system is
submitted in Fiscal Year 2012 and vice
versa.
Applicants may only submit one
renewable energy system feasibility
study grant for Fiscal Year 2012 funds.
Applicants may only submit one
energy audit grant application and one
renewable energy development
E:\FR\FM\20JAN1.SGM
20JAN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 13 / Friday, January 20, 2012 / Notices
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
assistance grant application for Fiscal
Year 2012 funds.
(2) Environmental information. 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. Applications for financial
assistance for planning purposes or
management and feasibility studies are
typically categorically excluded from
the environmental review process by 7
CFR 1940.310(e)(1). Any required
environmental review must be
completed in full prior to obligation of
funds or the approval of the application.
(3) Original signatures. USDA Rural
Development may request that the
applicant provide original signatures on
forms submitted through Grants.gov at a
later date.
(4) Award considerations. In
determining the amount of a renewable
energy system or energy efficiency
improvement grant or loan guarantee,
the Agency will consider the six criteria
specified in 7 CFR 4280.115(g) or 7 CFR
4280.124(f), as applicable.
(5) Hybrid projects. If the application
is for a hybrid project, technical reports,
as required under 7 CFR 4280.116(b)(7),
must be prepared for each technology
that comprises the hybrid project.
(6) Multiple facilities. Applicants may
submit a single application that
proposes to apply the same renewable
energy system (including the same
hybrid project) or energy efficiency
improvement across multiple facilities.
For example, a rural small business
owner owns five retail stores and wishes
to install solar panels on each store. The
rural small business owner may submit
a single application for installing the
solar panels on the five stores. However,
if this same owner wishes to install
solar panels on three of the five stores
and wind turbines for the other two
stores, the owner can only submit an
application for either the solar panels or
for the wind turbines in the same fiscal
year.
(7) Applications from cooperatives. In
recognition of the International Year of
Cooperatives, the Agency encourages
cooperatives to submit applications for
Fiscal Year 2012.
V. Program Provisions
This section of the Notice identifies
the provisions of 7 CFR 4280, subpart B
applicable to each type of funding
available under REAP.
A. General
The provisions specified in 7 CFR
4280.101 through 4280.111 apply to this
Notice.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:12 Jan 19, 2012
Jkt 226001
B. Renewable Energy System and Energy
Efficiency Improvement Project Grants
In addition to the other provisions of
this Notice, the requirements specified
in 7 CFR 4280.112 through 4280.121
apply to renewable energy system and
energy efficiency improvement projects
grants.
C. Renewable Energy System and Energy
Efficiency Improvement Project
Guaranteed Loans
In addition to the other provisions of
this Notice, the requirements specified
in 7 CFR 4280.122 through 4280.160
apply to guaranteed loans for renewable
energy system and energy efficiency
improvement projects. For Fiscal Year
2012, 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 1 percent) of the
guaranteed portion of the loan.
D. Renewable Energy System and Energy
Efficiency Improvement Project Grant
and Guaranteed Loan Combined
Requests
In addition to the other provisions of
this Notice, the requirements specified
in 7 CFR 4280.165 apply to a combined
grant and guaranteed loan for renewable
energy system and energy efficiency
improvement projects.
E. Renewable Energy System Feasibility
Study Grants
In addition to the other provisions of
this Notice, the requirements specified
in 7 CFR 4280.170 through 4280.182
apply to renewable energy system
feasibility study grants.
F. Energy Audit and Renewable Energy
Development Assistance Grants
In addition to the other provisions of
this Notice, the requirements specified
in 7 CFR 4280.186 through 4820.196
apply to energy audit and renewable
energy development assistance grants.
G. Resubmittal of Fiscal Year 2011
Renewable Energy System and Energy
Efficiency Improvement Applications
If an applicant submitted an
application for funding in Fiscal Year
2011 and that application was
determined eligible but was not funded,
the Agency will consider that Fiscal
Year 2011 application for funding in
Fiscal Year 2012 as provided in this
section.
(1) Written request. An applicant must
submit a written request for the Agency
to consider its Fiscal Year 2011
application for Fiscal Year 2012 funds.
(i) For a guarantee loan and grant
combination application, both the
lender and grant applicant must submit
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
2953
the written request to the Agency in
order to be considered for Fiscal Year
2012 funds.
(ii) Except for simplified applications,
applicants must provide current
financial statements that meet the
program requirements outlined in 7 CFR
4280.116(b)(4) with the written request.
(iii) Written requests to consider
Fiscal Year 2011 applications for Fiscal
Year 2012 funds may be submitted at
any time during Fiscal Year 2012, up to
and including 4:30 p.m. local time on
March 30, 2012, to be considered for
Fiscal Year 2012 funds. Written requests
received after this time and date will not
be accepted by the Agency and the
applicant’s Fiscal Year 2011 application
will not be considered for Fiscal Year
2012 funds.
(2) Revisions/change in score to Fiscal
Year 2011 applications. If an applicant
plans to make any revisions to its Fiscal
Year 2011 application or if the required
current financial statements results in a
change to the application’s score (even
if no other revisions to the Fiscal Year
2011 application are planned), a new
application meeting the requirements of
this Notice must be submitted in order
to be considered for Fiscal Year 2012
funds and a new submission date of
record will be established.
(3) No revisions/changes in score to
Fiscal Year 2011 applications. If an
applicant does not plan to make any
revisions to its Fiscal Year 2011
application and the required current
financial statements do not result in a
change to the application’s score, a new
application is not required and the
submission date of record remains
unchanged from its original Fiscal Year
2011 submittal date.
H. Award Process
In addition to the process for
awarding funding under 7 CFR 4280,
subpart B, the Agency will make awards
using the following considerations:
(1) Funding renewable energy system
and energy efficiency improvement
grant and grant/guaranteed loan
awards. Considering the availability of
funds, the Agency will fund those grant
only applications and grant/guaranteed
loan applications that score the highest
based on the grant score of the
application; that is, the grant score an
application receives will be compared to
the grant scores of other applications,
with higher scoring applications
receiving first consideration for funding.
(2) Guaranteed loan only awards.
Considering the availability of funds,
the Agency will fund those guaranteed
loan only applications that score the
highest compared to the scores of other
applications, with higher scoring
E:\FR\FM\20JAN1.SGM
20JAN1
2954
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 13 / Friday, January 20, 2012 / Notices
applications receiving first
consideration for funding.
(3) Evaluation criteria. Agency
personnel will score each application
based on the evaluation criteria
specified in 7 CFR 4280.117(c), 7 CFR
4280.129(c), 7 CFR 4280.178, or 7 CFR
4280.192, as applicable.
For hybrid applications, each
technical report will be evaluated and
scored based on its own merit. The
scores for the technologies will be
consolidated using a weighted average
approach based on the percentage of the
cost for each system to the total eligible
project cost.
Example: A hybrid project contains a wind
and solar photovoltaic components. The
wind system will cost $30,000 (75 percent of
total eligible project cost) and the solar will
cost $10,000 (25 percent of total eligible
project cost). The wind technical report was
evaluated and assigned a total score of 22
points, while the solar report was evaluated
and assigned a total score of 31 points. In this
scenario, the final technical score would be
assigned as follows: (22 × 75 percent) + (31
× 25 percent) = 24.25.
(4) Applications that receive the same
score. If applications score the same and
if remaining funds are insufficient to
fund each such application, the Agency
may distribute the remaining funds to a
lower scoring application. Before this
occurs, the Agency will provide the
applicant of the higher scoring
application the opportunity to reduce
the amount of the applicant’s grant
request to the amount of funds
available. If the applicant agrees to
lower its grant request, the applicant
must certify that the purposes of the
project will be met and provide the
remaining total funds needed to
complete the project. At its discretion,
the Agency may also elect to allow the
remaining funds to be carried over to
the next fiscal year rather than selecting
a lower scoring application or
distributing funds on a pro-rata basis.
(3) Conflict of interest. The provisions
of 7 CFR 4280.106 apply to this Notice.
(4) USDA Departmental Regulations
and other laws that contains other
compliance requirements. The
provisions of 7 CFR 4280.107 and 7 CFR
4280.108 apply to this Notice.
VII. Agency Contacts
For assistance on this program, please
contact a USDA Rural Development
Energy Coordinator, as provided in the
ADDRESSES section of this Notice.
VIII. 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
Adjudication and Compliance, 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.
Dated: January 11, 2012.
Judith A. Canales,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012–755 Filed 1–19–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
A. Notifications
(1) Applicants. The notification
provisions of 7 CFR 4280.111 apply to
this Notice.
(2) Lenders. The notification
provisions of 7 CFR 4280.129(a) apply
to this Notice.
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
B. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements
(1) Exception authority. The
provisions of 7 CFR 4280.104 apply to
this Notice.
(2) Appeals. A person may seek a
review of an Agency decision or appeal
to the National Appeals Division in
accordance with 7 CFR 4280.105.
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:12 Jan 19, 2012
Jkt 226001
The stakeholder meetings will be
held during the first quarter of calendar
year 2012. Please contact the Rural
Development State Office for your State,
as identified in the ADDRESSES section of
this Notice, for the specific date and
time.
DATES:
RBS intends to hold the
stakeholder meetings at Rural
Development’s State Offices. To confirm
the location of the meeting for your
State, please contact the applicable
USDA Rural Development Energy
Coordinator for your State. These
Energy Coordinators are listed below.
ADDRESSES:
Rural Development Energy
Coordinators
Note: Telephone numbers listed are not
toll-free.
Alabama
Marcia Johnson, USDA Rural
Development, Sterling Centre, Suite
601, 4121 Carmichael Road,
Montgomery, AL 36106–3683, (334)
279–3453, marcia.johnson@al.usda.gov.
Alaska
Chad Stovall, USDA Rural
Development, 800 West Evergreen, Suite
201, Palmer, AK 99645–6539, (907)
761–7718, chad.stovall@ak.usda.gov.
American Samoa (See Hawaii)
Arizona
Gary Mack, USDA Rural
Development, 230 North First Avenue,
Suite 206, Phoenix, AZ 85003–1706,
(602) 280–8717,
Gary.Mack@az.usda.gov.
Arkansas
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
VI. Administration Information
Development State Directors.
Stakeholders must contact the
appropriate Rural Development State
Office in order to participate.
Notice of Stakeholder Meetings on
Rural Energy for America Program
Rural Business-Cooperative
Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of public meetings.
AGENCY:
The Rural BusinessCooperative Service (RBS) will hold
meetings for stakeholders focusing on
Rural Development’s Rural Energy for
America Program implemented under
the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act
of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) during the first
quarter of calendar year 2012. These
meetings will be hosted by Rural
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Laura Tucker, USDA Rural
Development, 700 West Capitol Avenue,
Room 3416, Little Rock, AR 72201–
3225, (501) 301–3280,
Laura.Tucker@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
Janice Pond, USDA Rural
Development, Denver Federal Center,
Building 56, Room 2300, P.O. Box
25426, Denver, CO 80225–0426, (720)
544–2907, Janice.pond@co.usda.gov.
E:\FR\FM\20JAN1.SGM
20JAN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 13 (Friday, January 20, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2948-2954]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-755]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Notice of Funding Availability for the Rural Energy for America
Program
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This NOFA announces the acceptance of applications under the
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for Fiscal Year 2012 for
financial assistance as follows: grants, guaranteed loans, and combined
grants and guaranteed loans for the development and 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 system feasibility studies. The Notice also announces
the availability of $25.4 million of Fiscal Year 2012 budget authority
to fund these REAP activities, which will support at least $12.5
million in grant program level and up to approximately $48.5 million in
guaranteed loan program level.
DATES: In order to be considered for Fiscal Year 2012 funds, complete
applications under this Notice must be received by the appropriate USDA
Rural Development State Office no later than 4:30 p.m. local time of
the dates as follows:
For renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant
applications and combination grant and guaranteed loan applications:
March 30, 2012.
For renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement
guaranteed loan only applications: On a continuous basis up to June 29,
2012.
For renewable energy system feasibility study applications: March
30, 2012.
For energy audits and renewable energy development assistance
applications: February 21, 2012.
ADDRESSES: See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for addresses concerning
applications for the Rural Energy for America Program for Fiscal Year
2012 funds.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this Notice,
please contact Mr. Kelley Oehler, Branch Chief, USDA Rural Development,
Energy Division, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250.
Telephone: (202) 720-6819. Email: kelley.oehler@wdc.usda.gov.
For further information on this program, please contact the
applicable USDA Rural Development Energy Coordinator for your
respective State, as provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section
of this Notice.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Fiscal Year 2012 Applications for the Rural Energy for America Program
Applications. Application materials may be obtained by contacting
one of Rural Development's Energy Coordinators. 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 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
(CFDA) Number 10.868 or FedGrants Funding Opportunity Number, which can
be found at https://www.Grants.gov.
Application submittal. For renewable energy system, energy
efficiency improvement, and feasibility study applications, submit
complete paper applications to the Rural Development State Office in
the State in which the applicant's proposed project is located. For
energy audit and renewable energy development assistance applications,
submit complete paper applications to the Rural Development State
Office in the State in which the applicant is headquartered.
Submit electronic grant only applications at https://www.grants.gov,
following the instructions found on this Web site.
Rural Development Energy Coordinators
Note: Telephone numbers listed are not toll-free.
Alabama
Marcia Johnson, USDA Rural Development, Sterling Centre, Suite 601,
4121 Carmichael Road, Montgomery, AL 36106-3683, (334) 279-3453,
marcia.johnson@al.usda.gov.
Alaska
Chad Stovall, USDA Rural Development, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 201,
Palmer, AK 99645-6539, (907) 761-7718, chad.stovall@ak.usda.gov.
American Samoa (See Hawaii)
Arizona
Gary Mack, USDA Rural Development, 230 North First Avenue, Suite 206,
[[Page 2949]]
Phoenix, AZ 85003-1706, (602) 280-8717, Gary.Mack@az.usda.gov.
Arkansas
Laura Tucker, USDA Rural Development, 700 West Capitol Avenue, Room
3416, Little Rock, AR 72201-3225, (501) 301-3280,
Laura.Tucker@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
Janice Pond, USDA Rural Development, Denver Federal Center, Building
56, Room 2300, P.O. Box 25426, Denver, CO 80225-0426, (720) 544-2907,
Janice.pond@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) 857-3629, Bruce.Weaver@de.usda.gov.
Federated States of Micronesia (See Hawaii)
Florida/Virgin Islands
Angela Prioleau, USDA Rural Development, 4440 NW. 25th Place,
Gainesville, FL 32606, (352) 338-3412, angela.prioleua@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/American 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
Mary Warren, USDA Rural Development, 2118 West Park Court, Suite A,
Champaign, IL 61821, (217) 403-6218, mary.warren@il.usda.gov.
Indiana
Jerry Hay, USDA Rural Development, 5975 Lakeside Boulevard,
Indianapolis, IN 46278, (812) 346-3411, Ext. 126,
Jerry.Hay@in.usda.gov.
Iowa
Kate Sand, USDA Rural Development, 909 E. 2nd Avenue, Suite C,
Indianola, IA 50125, (515) 961-5365 Ext.130, kate.sand@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
Beverly Stone, USDA Rural Development, 967 Illinois Avenue, Suite 4,
P.O. Box 405, Bangor, ME 04402-0405, (207) 990-9125,
Beverly.Stone@me.usda.gov.
Maryland (see Delaware)
Massachusetts/Rhode Island/Connecticut
Charles W. Dubuc, USDA Rural Development, 60 Quaker Lane, Suite 44,
Warwick, RI 02886, (401) 822-8867, Charles.Dubuc@ma.usda.gov.
Michigan
Rick Vanderbeek, USDA Rural Development, 3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200,
East Lansing, MI 48823, (517) 324-5157, rick.vanderbeek@mi.usda.gov.
Minnesota
Ron Oman, USDA Rural Development, 375 Jackson St., Suite 410, St. Paul,
MN 55101, (651) 602-7796, Ron.Omann@mn.usda.gov.
Mississippi
G. Gary Jones, USDA Rural Development, 100 W. Capital Street, Suite
831, 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, 2229 Boot Hill Court, 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
Mark Williams, USDA Rural Development, 1390 South Curry Street, Carson
City, NV 89703, (775) 887-1222, mark.williams@nv.usda.gov.
New Hampshire (See Vermont)
New Jersey
Victoria Fekete, USDA Rural Development, 8000 Midlantic Drive, Suite
500N, 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. 127, 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.
[[Page 2950]]
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
Amanda Krugh, USDA Rural Development, 1 Credit Union Place, Suite 330,
Harrisburg, PA 17110-2996, Phone: (717) 237-2289,
Amanda.Krugh@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
Kenneth Lynch, USDA Rural Development, Federal Building, Room 210, 200
4th Street SW., Huron, SD 57350, (605) 352-1120, ken.lynch@sd.usda.gov.
Tennessee
Will Dodson, USDA Rural Development, 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 300,
Nashville, TN 37203-1084, (615) 783-1350, will.dodson@tn.usda.gov.
Texas
Billy Curb, USDA Rural Development, Federal Building, Suite 102, 101
South Main Street, Temple, TX 76501, (254) 742-9775,
billy.curb@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, 1606 Santa Rosa Road, Suite
238, Richmond, VA 23229, (434) 392-4906 Ext. 125, (804) 287-1606,
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
Lisa Sharp, USDA Rural Development, 1550 Earl Core Road, Suite 101,
Morgantown, WV 26505-7500, (304) 284-4871, lisa.sharp@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.
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 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 have also been approved by OMB under
OMB Control Number 0570-0059 and OMB Control Number 0570-0061,
respectively.
Overview
Federal Agency Name: Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
Contract Proposal Title: Rural Energy for America Program.
Announcement Type: Initial announcement.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.868.
Dates: Grant applications and combined grant and guaranteed loan
applications for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency
improvement projects under this Notice will be accepted up to March 30,
2012. Guaranteed loan only applications for renewable energy system and
energy efficiency improvement projects will be accepted on a continuous
basis, but to compete for Fiscal Year 2012 funding, complete
applications must be submitted to the Agency by June 29, 2012.
Applications for renewable energy feasibility studies will be accepted
up to March 30, 2012. Energy audit and renewable energy development
assistance grants will be accepted up to February 21, 2012.
For all applications submitted under this Notice, complete
applications must be received by the appropriate USDA Rural Development
State Office no later than 4:30 p.m. local time of the applicable
application deadline date in order to be considered for Fiscal Year
2012 funds. Any application received after its applicable date and
time, regardless of the postmark on the application, will not be
considered for Fiscal Year 2012 funds.
Availability of Notice: This Notice for the Rural Energy for
America Program is available through the USDA Rural Development Web
site at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/Energy.html.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Purpose of the Rural Energy for America Program. 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.
B. Statutory Authority. This program is authorized under 7 U.S.C.
8107.
C. Definition of Terms. The definitions applicable to this Notice
are published at 7 CFR 4280.103. In addition, the following definition
applies to this Notice.
Hybrid. A combination of two or more renewable energy technologies
that are incorporated into a unified system to support a single
project.
II. Award Information
A. Available funds. The amount of funds available for renewable
energy systems and energy efficiency improvements in Fiscal Year 2012
will be approximately $59.6 million. For renewable energy system and
energy efficiency improvement projects only, there will be an
allocation of funds to each State, and the Rural Development's National
Office will maintain a reserve of funds.
[[Page 2951]]
The amount of grant funds available for renewable energy system
feasibility studies in Fiscal Year 2012 will be $500,000. The balance
of the funds unused for the feasibility study grants may be utilized in
any of the renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement
National competitions.
The amount of funds available for energy audits and renewable
energy development assistance in Fiscal Year 2012 will be $880,000.
Obligations of these funds will take place through March 31, 2012. Any
unobligated balances will be moved to the renewable energy subsidy
account as of April 1, 2012. These funds may be utilized in any of the
renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement National
competitions. In order to ensure that small projects have a fair
opportunity to compete for the funding and are consistent with the
priorities set forth in the statute, the Agency will set-aside
approximately $5 million to fund grants of $20,000 or less. Obligations
of these funds will take place through June 30, 2012. Any unobligated
balances will be moved to the renewable energy subsidy account as of
July 1, 2012. These funds may be utilized in any of the renewable
energy system and energy efficiency improvement National competitions.
B. Approximate number of awards. The number of awards will depend
on the amount of funds made available and on the number of eligible
applicants participating in this program.
C. State and National competitions. Renewable energy system and
energy efficiency improvement applications for Fiscal Year 2012 funds
will compete for funds allocated to their State for competition.
Separate competitions will be held for (1) grant only and grant and
guaranteed loan combination applications; (2) grants of $20,000 or less
applications, and (3) guaranteed loan only applications. Grant only and
grant and guaranteed loan combination applications and grants of
$20,000 or less applications will each have one State competition. All
unfunded eligible grant only and grant and guaranteed loan combination
applications received by March 30, 2011, will be competed against other
grant only and grant and guaranteed loan combination applications from
other States at a final National competition. However, the Agency
reserves the right to hold a separate National competition for grants
of $20,000 or less if funding remains after the State competition.
Obligations of these funds will take place through June 30, 2012. State
competitions will be held bi-weekly for guaranteed loan only
applications. A minimum score of 50 is required for guaranteed loan
only applications to compete in the State competitions. If a State does
not have sufficient funds to make a guaranteed loan award, funding may
be obtained from the guaranteed loan reserves held at the National
Office. The guaranteed loan application will not have to compete any
further. Finally, all unfunded eligible guaranteed loan only
applications received by June 29, 2011, will be competed against other
guaranteed loan only applications from other States at a final National
competition if the guaranteed loan reserves have not been completely
depleted. If funds remain after the final guaranteed loan only National
competition, the Agency may elect to utilize budget authority to fund
additional grant only and grant and guaranteed loan combination
applications that competed in the National competition. Renewable
energy system feasibility study grant applications and energy audits
and renewable energy development assistance grant applications will
compete in separate National competitions.
D. Type of instrument. Grant, guaranteed loan, and grant/guaranteed
loan combinations.
E. Funding limitations. The following funding limitations apply to
applications submitted under to this Notice.
(1) Maximum grant assistance to an entity. For the purposes of this
Notice, the maximum amount of grant assistance to an entity will not
exceed $750,000 for Fiscal Year 2012 based on the total amount of
renewable energy system, energy efficiency improvement, and renewable
energy feasibility study grants awarded to an entity under the Rural
Energy for America Program.
(2) Maximum percentage of Agency funding. The Food, Conservation,
and Energy Act of 2008, Pub. L. No. 110-234, 122 Stat. 93 (May 22,
2008) (2008 Farm Bill) mandates the maximum percentages of funding that
USDA Rural Development will provide. Within the maximum funding amounts
specified in this Notice, renewable energy system and energy efficiency
improvement 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 total eligible project costs, whether the grant is part
of a combination request or is a stand-alone grant.
(3) Reallocation of loan and grants funds. The Agency reserves the
right, at its discretion, to move funds between grant and loan budget
authority based upon the demand of applications received under this
Notice after June 29, 2012.
(4) Universal identifier and Central Contract Registration (CCR).
Unless exempt under 2 CFR Sec. 25.110, all applicants must:
(a) Be registered in the CCR prior to submitting an application or
plan;
(b) Maintain an active CCR registration with current information at
all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application
or plan under consideration by the Agency; and
(c) Provide its DUNS number in each application or plan it submits
to the Agency.
(5) Transparency Act Reporting. All recipients of Federal financial
assistance are required to report information about first-tier
subawards and executive compensation in accordance with 2 CFR part 170.
So long as an entity applicant does not have an exception under 2 CFR
section 170.110(b), the applicant must have the necessary processes and
systems in place to comply with the reporting requirements should the
applicant receive funding. See 2 CFR section 170.200(b).
(6) Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement
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.
(7) Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement loan
guarantee-only applications. For renewable energy system and energy
efficiency improvement loan guarantees, the minimum guaranteed loan
amount is $5,000 and the maximum amount of a guaranteed loan to be
provided to a borrower is $25 million.
(8) Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement
guaranteed loan and grant combination applications. Funding for grant
and loan combination packages for renewable energy systems and energy
efficiency improvement projects are subject to the funding limitations
specified in Section II.E.(2). The maximum amount for the grant portion
is $500,000 for renewable energy systems and $250,000 for energy
efficiency improvements. The minimum amount of the grant portion is
$1,500 for either renewable energy systems or energy efficiency
improvements. For the guarantee portion, the maximum amount is $25
million and the minimum amount is $5,000.
(9) Renewable energy system feasibility study grant applications.
The maximum amount of grant funds that will be made available for an
eligible
[[Page 2952]]
feasibility study project under this subpart to any one recipient will
not exceed $50,000 or 25 percent of the total eligible project cost of
the study, whichever is less.
(10) Energy audit and renewable energy development assistance grant
applications. The maximum aggregate amount of energy audit and
renewable energy development assistance grants awarded to any one
recipient under this Notice cannot exceed $100,000 for Fiscal Year
2012. In addition, the 2008 Farm Bill mandates that the recipient of a
grant that conducts an energy audit for an agricultural producer or a
rural small business must require the agricultural producer or rural
small business to pay at least 25 percent of the cost of the energy
audit, which shall be retained by the eligible entity for the cost of
the audit.
III. Eligibility Information
A. Eligible applicants. To be eligible for this program, an
applicant must meet the eligibility requirements specified in 7 CFR
4280.109, 7 CFR 4280.110(c), and, as applicable, 7 CFR 4280.112, 7 CFR
4280.122, 7 CFR 4280.170, or 7 CFR 4280.186.
For the purpose of this Notice, and in addition to meeting the
small business size determination as defined under small business in 7
CFR 4280.103, rural small business applicants must demonstrate that the
majority (i.e. 51 percent or more) of their past 3 years' annual
receipts from their business operation are derived from a rural area.
If the rural small business applicant has not engaged in business
operations for the past 3 years, than information for as long as the
rural small business applicant has been in business must be submitted.
To ensure that there is sufficient information for the Agency to make
this determination; rural small business applicants, as part of their
application requirements in 7 CFR 4280.116 (b)(v)(A), should list the
physical address, total annual receipts and number of employees for
each urban or rural location. The Agency will make this determination
for rural small business applicants that do not have any annual
receipts (new businesses only) on the location of the rural small
business applicant.
B. Eligible lenders. To be eligible for this program, lenders must
meet the eligibility requirements in 7 CFR 4280.130.
C. Eligible projects. To be eligible for this program, a project
must meet the eligibility requirements specified in 7 CFR 4280.113, 7
CFR 4280.123, 7 CFR 4280.171, and 7 CFR 4280.187, as applicable.
IV. Fiscal Year 2012 Application and 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
containing all parts necessary for the Agency to determine applicant
and project eligibility, to score the application, and to conduct the
technical evaluation, as applicable in order to be considered.
A. Where To Obtain Applications
Applicants may obtain applications from any USDA 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 10.868 or FedGrants Funding Opportunity Number, which can be
found at https://www.Grants.gov.
When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find information about
submitting an application electronically through the site. 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.
USDA Rural Development strongly recommends that applicants do not wait
until the application deadline date to begin the application process
through Grants.gov.
B. When To Submit
Complete applications submitted under this Notice must be received
by the appropriate USDA Rural Development State Office no later than
4:30 p.m. local time on the applicable date as identified in the DATES
section of this Notice, in order to be considered for Fiscal Year 2012
funds. Any application received after 4:30 p.m. local time on the
applicable date, regardless of the postmark on the application, will
not be considered for Fiscal Year 2012 funds.
C. Where To Submit
All renewable energy system, energy efficiency improvement, and
renewable energy system feasibility study applications are to be
submitted to the USDA Rural Development Energy Coordinator in the State
in which the applicant's proposed project is located. All energy audit
and renewable energy development assistance applications are to be
submitted to the USDA Rural Development Energy Coordinator in the State
in which the applicant is headquartered. A list of USDA Rural
Development Energy Coordinators is provided in the ADDRESSES section of
this Notice. Alternatively, for grant only applications, applicants may
submit their electronic applications to the Agency via the Grants.gov
Web site.
D. How To Submit
Applicants may submit their 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.
(1) Grant applications. All 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.
(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 may apply for only one
renewable energy system project and one energy efficiency improvement
project in Fiscal Year 2012. A renewable energy system application
cannot be submitted in Fiscal Year 2012 if a REAP feasibility study
grant application for the same renewable energy system is submitted in
Fiscal Year 2012 and vice versa.
Applicants may only submit one renewable energy system feasibility
study grant for Fiscal Year 2012 funds.
Applicants may only submit one energy audit grant application and
one renewable energy development
[[Page 2953]]
assistance grant application for Fiscal Year 2012 funds.
(2) Environmental information. 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. Applications for financial assistance for planning
purposes or management and feasibility studies are typically
categorically excluded from the environmental review process by 7 CFR
1940.310(e)(1). Any required environmental review must be completed in
full prior to obligation of funds or the approval of the application.
(3) Original signatures. USDA Rural Development may request that
the applicant provide original signatures on forms submitted through
Grants.gov at a later date.
(4) Award considerations. In determining the amount of a renewable
energy system or energy efficiency improvement grant or loan guarantee,
the Agency will consider the six criteria specified in 7 CFR
4280.115(g) or 7 CFR 4280.124(f), as applicable.
(5) Hybrid projects. If the application is for a hybrid project,
technical reports, as required under 7 CFR 4280.116(b)(7), must be
prepared for each technology that comprises the hybrid project.
(6) Multiple facilities. Applicants may submit a single application
that proposes to apply the same renewable energy system (including the
same hybrid project) or energy efficiency improvement across multiple
facilities. For example, a rural small business owner owns five retail
stores and wishes to install solar panels on each store. The rural
small business owner may submit a single application for installing the
solar panels on the five stores. However, if this same owner wishes to
install solar panels on three of the five stores and wind turbines for
the other two stores, the owner can only submit an application for
either the solar panels or for the wind turbines in the same fiscal
year.
(7) Applications from cooperatives. In recognition of the
International Year of Cooperatives, the Agency encourages cooperatives
to submit applications for Fiscal Year 2012.
V. Program Provisions
This section of the Notice identifies the provisions of 7 CFR 4280,
subpart B applicable to each type of funding available under REAP.
A. General
The provisions specified in 7 CFR 4280.101 through 4280.111 apply
to this Notice.
B. Renewable Energy System and Energy Efficiency Improvement Project
Grants
In addition to the other provisions of this Notice, the
requirements specified in 7 CFR 4280.112 through 4280.121 apply to
renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement projects
grants.
C. Renewable Energy System and Energy Efficiency Improvement Project
Guaranteed Loans
In addition to the other provisions of this Notice, the
requirements specified in 7 CFR 4280.122 through 4280.160 apply to
guaranteed loans for renewable energy system and energy efficiency
improvement projects. For Fiscal Year 2012, 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 1 percent) of the guaranteed
portion of the loan.
D. Renewable Energy System and Energy Efficiency Improvement Project
Grant and Guaranteed Loan Combined Requests
In addition to the other provisions of this Notice, the
requirements specified in 7 CFR 4280.165 apply to a combined grant and
guaranteed loan for renewable energy system and energy efficiency
improvement projects.
E. Renewable Energy System Feasibility Study Grants
In addition to the other provisions of this Notice, the
requirements specified in 7 CFR 4280.170 through 4280.182 apply to
renewable energy system feasibility study grants.
F. Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants
In addition to the other provisions of this Notice, the
requirements specified in 7 CFR 4280.186 through 4820.196 apply to
energy audit and renewable energy development assistance grants.
G. Resubmittal of Fiscal Year 2011 Renewable Energy System and Energy
Efficiency Improvement Applications
If an applicant submitted an application for funding in Fiscal Year
2011 and that application was determined eligible but was not funded,
the Agency will consider that Fiscal Year 2011 application for funding
in Fiscal Year 2012 as provided in this section.
(1) Written request. An applicant must submit a written request for
the Agency to consider its Fiscal Year 2011 application for Fiscal Year
2012 funds.
(i) For a guarantee loan and grant combination application, both
the lender and grant applicant must submit the written request to the
Agency in order to be considered for Fiscal Year 2012 funds.
(ii) Except for simplified applications, applicants must provide
current financial statements that meet the program requirements
outlined in 7 CFR 4280.116(b)(4) with the written request.
(iii) Written requests to consider Fiscal Year 2011 applications
for Fiscal Year 2012 funds may be submitted at any time during Fiscal
Year 2012, up to and including 4:30 p.m. local time on March 30, 2012,
to be considered for Fiscal Year 2012 funds. Written requests received
after this time and date will not be accepted by the Agency and the
applicant's Fiscal Year 2011 application will not be considered for
Fiscal Year 2012 funds.
(2) Revisions/change in score to Fiscal Year 2011 applications. If
an applicant plans to make any revisions to its Fiscal Year 2011
application or if the required current financial statements results in
a change to the application's score (even if no other revisions to the
Fiscal Year 2011 application are planned), a new application meeting
the requirements of this Notice must be submitted in order to be
considered for Fiscal Year 2012 funds and a new submission date of
record will be established.
(3) No revisions/changes in score to Fiscal Year 2011 applications.
If an applicant does not plan to make any revisions to its Fiscal Year
2011 application and the required current financial statements do not
result in a change to the application's score, a new application is not
required and the submission date of record remains unchanged from its
original Fiscal Year 2011 submittal date.
H. Award Process
In addition to the process for awarding funding under 7 CFR 4280,
subpart B, the Agency will make awards using the following
considerations:
(1) Funding renewable energy system and energy efficiency
improvement grant and grant/guaranteed loan awards. Considering the
availability of funds, the Agency will fund those grant only
applications and grant/guaranteed loan applications that score the
highest based on the grant score of the application; that is, the grant
score an application receives will be compared to the grant scores of
other applications, with higher scoring applications receiving first
consideration for funding.
(2) Guaranteed loan only awards. Considering the availability of
funds, the Agency will fund those guaranteed loan only applications
that score the highest compared to the scores of other applications,
with higher scoring
[[Page 2954]]
applications receiving first consideration for funding.
(3) Evaluation criteria. Agency personnel will score each
application based on the evaluation criteria specified in 7 CFR
4280.117(c), 7 CFR 4280.129(c), 7 CFR 4280.178, or 7 CFR 4280.192, as
applicable.
For hybrid applications, each technical report will be evaluated
and scored based on its own merit. The scores for the technologies will
be consolidated using a weighted average approach based on the
percentage of the cost for each system to the total eligible project
cost.
Example: A hybrid project contains a wind and solar photovoltaic
components. The wind system will cost $30,000 (75 percent of total
eligible project cost) and the solar will cost $10,000 (25 percent
of total eligible project cost). The wind technical report was
evaluated and assigned a total score of 22 points, while the solar
report was evaluated and assigned a total score of 31 points. In
this scenario, the final technical score would be assigned as
follows: (22 x 75 percent) + (31 x 25 percent) = 24.25.
(4) Applications that receive the same score. If applications score
the same and if remaining funds are insufficient to fund each such
application, the Agency may distribute the remaining funds to a lower
scoring application. Before this occurs, the Agency will provide the
applicant of the higher scoring application the opportunity to reduce
the amount of the applicant's grant request to the amount of funds
available. If the applicant agrees to lower its grant request, the
applicant must certify that the purposes of the project will be met and
provide the remaining total funds needed to complete the project. At
its discretion, the Agency may also elect to allow the remaining funds
to be carried over to the next fiscal year rather than selecting a
lower scoring application or distributing funds on a pro-rata basis.
VI. Administration Information
A. Notifications
(1) Applicants. The notification provisions of 7 CFR 4280.111 apply
to this Notice.
(2) Lenders. The notification provisions of 7 CFR 4280.129(a) apply
to this Notice.
B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
(1) Exception authority. The provisions of 7 CFR 4280.104 apply to
this Notice.
(2) Appeals. A person may seek a review of an Agency decision or
appeal to the National Appeals Division in accordance with 7 CFR
4280.105.
(3) Conflict of interest. The provisions of 7 CFR 4280.106 apply to
this Notice.
(4) USDA Departmental Regulations and other laws that contains
other compliance requirements. The provisions of 7 CFR 4280.107 and 7
CFR 4280.108 apply to this Notice.
VII. Agency Contacts
For assistance on this program, please contact a USDA Rural
Development Energy Coordinator, as provided in the ADDRESSES section of
this Notice.
VIII. 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 Adjudication and Compliance, 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.
Dated: January 11, 2012.
Judith A. Canales,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-755 Filed 1-19-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
