Announcement of Loan Applications Procedures and Deadlines for the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP); Update, 18475-18476 [2019-08796]

Download as PDF jbell on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 84 / Wednesday, May 1, 2019 / Notices Section 319.56–4 contains a performance-based process for approving the importation of certain fruits and vegetables that, based on the findings of a pest risk analysis, can safely be imported into the United States subject to one or more of the five designated phytosanitary measures listed in paragraph (b) of that section. Based on the new RMD that we have prepared, we have concluded that fresh pomelo, Nanfeng honey mandarin, ponkan, sweet orange, and Satsuma mandarin can safely be imported from China into the continental United States using one or more of the five designated phytosanitary measures listed in § 319.56–4(b). The NPPO of China would have to enter into an operational workplan with APHIS that sets forth the daily procedures that the NPPO of China will take to implement the measures identified in the RMD. These measures are summarized below: • Importation in commercial consignments only. • Registration of places of production and packinghouses with the NPPO of China. • Certification by the NPPO of propagative material used at places of production as being free of quarantine pests. • Periodic inspections of places of production throughout the shipping season. • Grove sanitation. • Pest-free places of production for Bactrocera minax and B. tsuneonis. • Pest-free places of production for B. correcta, B. cucurbitae, B. dorsalis, B. orientalis, B. pedestris, and B. tau; or determination that places of production are located in areas of low pest prevalence for these species of fruit fly based on trapping, and in-transit cold treatment as an additional phytosanitary safeguard. • Maintaining the identity and origin of the lot of fruit throughout the export process to the United States. • Safeguarding of harvested fruit. • Post-harvest visual inspection of fruit by the NPPO or officials authorized by the NPPO according to a biometric sample. • Cutting a portion of the fruit in the sample to inspect for quarantine pests. • Washing, brushing, and treatment with a surface disinfectant. • Issuance of a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration. • Port of entry inspections. • Importation under a permit issued by APHIS. • Possible remedial measures in the event of detection of quarantine pests at registered places of production or VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:24 Apr 30, 2019 Jkt 247001 packinghouses, or in/on consignments of citrus fruit from China at ports of entry into the United States. We are also proposing to exempt pomelos that are grown in areas that are free of B. minax and B. tsuneonis and that are of low pest prevalence (identified by the NPPO as having low levels for the specified pests and subject to effective surveillance, control, or eradication measures) for B. correcta, B. cucurbitae, B. dorsalis, B. orientalis, B. pedestris, and B. tau from cold treatment for fruit flies, if the pomelos are bagged with double-layered paper bags no more than 2 months before harvest. Each of the pest mitigation measures that would be required, along with evidence of their efficacy in removing pests of concern from the pathway, are described in detail in the RMD. Therefore, in accordance with § 319.56–4(c)(3)(ii), we are announcing the availability of our PRA and RMD for public review and comment. Those documents, as well as a description of the economic considerations associated with the importation of fresh citrus fruit from China, may be viewed on the Regulations.gov website or in our reading room (see ADDRESSES above for a link to Regulations.gov and information on the location and hours of the reading room). You may request paper copies of these documents by calling or writing to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer to the subject of the analysis you wish to review when requesting copies. After reviewing any comments we receive, we will announce our decision regarding the import status of fresh citrus fruit from China in a subsequent notice. If the overall conclusions of our analysis and determination of risk remain unchanged following our consideration of the comments, then we will authorize the importation of fresh citrus fruit from China into the continental United States subject to the requirements specified in the RMD. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1633, 7701–7772, and 7781–7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3. Done in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2019. Kevin Shea, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2019–08767 Filed 4–30–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 18475 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Announcement of Loan Applications Procedures and Deadlines for the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP); Update Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, published a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) in the Federal Register on Monday, August 6, 2018 (83 FR 38273) announcing funding availability, soliciting letters of intent for loan applications, outlining the application process for those loans, and setting forth deadlines for applications from eligible entities under the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP). Since the publication of the NOFA, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) became law on December 20, 2018, and included statutory changes affecting RESP. The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of changes made to RESP pursuant to section 6303 of the Farm Bill. SUMMARY: Effective May 1, 2019 and remaining in effect until further notice or publication of a regulation. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Coates, Engineering Branch, Office of Loan Origination and Approval, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 1567, (Room 0221), Washington, DC 20250–1567. Telephone: (202) 260–5415. Email: Robert.Coates@wdc.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: RUS is amending the funding availability and solicited letters of intent for loan applications under RESP in the Federal Register on Monday, August 6, 2018 (83 FR 38273). Since the publication of the NOFA, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, (2018 Farm Bill) became law (Pub. L. 115–334) which included statutory changes to the RESP statute (7 U.S.C. 8107a). The following changes became effective on the date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (December 20, 2018): 1. Cost-effective on-or off grid renewable energy is added to the list of eligible energy efficiency measures; 2. cost-effective storage systems is added to the list of eligible energy efficiency measures; 3. the maximum permitted interest rate that can be charged by a borrower DATES: E:\FR\FM\01MYN1.SGM 01MYN1 18476 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 84 / Wednesday, May 1, 2019 / Notices to a qualified consumer is raised from 3% to 5%; and 4. recurring service bills were added as approved methods of repayment of RESP loans by Qualified consumers to RESP borrowers (the previous statutory language only allowed repayment through the electric service bill). 5. Additionally, the 2018 Farm Bill included new legislative language that directs the Agency not to consider any debt incurred by a borrower under this program in the calculation of the debtequity ratio of the borrower for purposes of eligibility for loans under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.). All new and pending RESP letters of intent as well as all new and pending RESP loan applications will be reviewed consistent with the new statutory provisions. Requests to modify previously approved RESP loan agreements consistent with the new statutory provisions and other relevant law will be considered on a case-by-case basis where RESP funds have not been advanced. Applicants may amend their application and reapply if they were denied under the existing NOFA of August 6, 2018 (83 FR 38273) or not invited to proceed in the application process if the new statutory provisions apply to their energy efficiency proposal. Such amendments will not interrupt continued acceptance of applications. The current NOFA provided for a first come, first served process, and this process will continue, and any reapplications will move into line with the reapplication date. In the Federal Register on August 6, 2018 (83 FR 38273) make the following correction: jbell on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES Summary of Changes 19:24 Apr 30, 2019 Chad Rupe, Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2019–08796 Filed 4–30–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION Sunshine Act Meeting Notice United States Commission on Civil Rights. AGENCY: Notice of Commission Telephonic Business Meeting. ACTION: Monday, May 6, 2019, at 1:30 p.m. ET. DATES: ADDRESSES: Meeting to take place by telephone. 1. On page 38275, in the second column, under section A. Program Description, revise the fourth sentence to read as follows: Loans made by RESP borrowers under this program may be repaid through charges added to the Qualified consumer’s recurring service bill for the property or properties for, or at which, energy efficiencies are or will be implemented. 2. On page 38279, in the second column, under d. EE Program Compliance, second paragraph, revise the second sentence to read as follows: Nonetheless, under no circumstances will the RESP borrower be able to charge more than 5 percent interest rate to its customers. 3. On page 38279, in the second column, under section d. EE Program VerDate Sep<11>2014 Compliance, revise the first sentence in the third paragraph to read as follows: Qualified consumers must ordinarily repay their loans to the RESP borrower through charges added by the RESP borrower to the consumer’s recurring service bill associated with the property where the energy efficiency measures are or will be implemented. 4. On page 38280, in the second column, under the B. Variable frequency drive section, revise (ix) to read as follows: Efficient cost-effective on- or off-grid renewable energy systems if consistent with the statutory purpose of RESP. 5. On page 38280, in the second column, under B. Variable frequency drive section, revise (x) to read as follows: Efficient cost-effective energy storage systems if permanently installed to reduce the energy cost or usage of small businesses and families within a rural area. Jkt 247001 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Walch, (202) 376–8371, publicaffairs@usccr.gov. This business meeting is open to the public by telephone only. Participant access instructions: public call-in line (listenonly): dial 1–800–682–9934; call ID # 796–3908. You can stay abreast of updates at www.usccr.gov and on Twitter and Facebook. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Meeting Agenda I. Approval of Agenda. II. Discussion of report update following April 12, 2019 public comment session on condition of immigration detention centers and treatment of immigrants in detention. III. Adjourn Meeting. PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Dated: April 29, 2019. Brian Walch, Director, Communications and Public Engagement. [FR Doc. 2019–09009 Filed 4–29–19; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 6335–01–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Materials Processing Equipment Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting The Materials Processing Equipment Technical Advisory Committee (MPETAC) will meet on May 14, 2019, 9:00 a.m., Room 3884, in the Herbert C. Hoover Building, 14th Street between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues NW, Washington, DC The Committee advises the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Export Administration with respect to technical questions that affect the level of export controls applicable to materials processing equipment and related technology. Agenda Open Session 1. Opening remarks and introductions. 2. Presentation of papers and comments by the Public. 3. Discussions on results from last, and proposals from last Wassenaar meeting. 4. Report on proposed and recently issued changes to the Export Administration Regulations. 5. Other business. Closed Session 6. Discussion of matters determined to be exempt from the provisions relating to public meetings found in 5 U.S.C. app. 2 §§ 10 (a) (1) and 10 (a) (3). The open session will be accessible via teleconference to 20 participants on a first come, first serve basis. To join the conference, submit inquiries to Ms. Yvette Springer at Yvette.Springer@ bis.doc.gov, no later than May 7, 2019. A limited number of seats will be available for the public session. Reservations are not accepted. To the extent that time permits, members of the public may present oral statements to the Committee. The public may submit written statements at any time before or after the meeting. However, to facilitate the distribution of public presentation materials to the Committee members, the Committee suggests that presenters forward the public presentation materials prior to the meeting to Ms. Springer via email. E:\FR\FM\01MYN1.SGM 01MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 1, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18475-18476]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-08796]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Announcement of Loan Applications Procedures and Deadlines for 
the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP); Update

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), a Rural Development agency 
of the United States Department of Agriculture, published a Notice of 
Funding Availability (NOFA) in the Federal Register on Monday, August 
6, 2018 (83 FR 38273) announcing funding availability, soliciting 
letters of intent for loan applications, outlining the application 
process for those loans, and setting forth deadlines for applications 
from eligible entities under the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP). 
Since the publication of the NOFA, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
2018 (2018 Farm Bill) became law on December 20, 2018, and included 
statutory changes affecting RESP. The purpose of this notice is to 
inform the public of changes made to RESP pursuant to section 6303 of 
the Farm Bill.

DATES: Effective May 1, 2019 and remaining in effect until further 
notice or publication of a regulation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Coates, Engineering Branch, 
Office of Loan Origination and Approval, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, 
Stop 1567, (Room 0221), Washington, DC 20250-1567. Telephone: (202) 
260-5415. Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: RUS is amending the funding availability and 
solicited letters of intent for loan applications under RESP in the 
Federal Register on Monday, August 6, 2018 (83 FR 38273). Since the 
publication of the NOFA, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, (2018 
Farm Bill) became law (Pub. L. 115-334) which included statutory 
changes to the RESP statute (7 U.S.C. 8107a). The following changes 
became effective on the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018 (December 20, 2018):
    1. Cost-effective on-or off grid renewable energy is added to the 
list of eligible energy efficiency measures;
    2. cost-effective storage systems is added to the list of eligible 
energy efficiency measures;
    3. the maximum permitted interest rate that can be charged by a 
borrower

[[Page 18476]]

to a qualified consumer is raised from 3% to 5%; and
    4. recurring service bills were added as approved methods of 
repayment of RESP loans by Qualified consumers to RESP borrowers (the 
previous statutory language only allowed repayment through the electric 
service bill).
    5. Additionally, the 2018 Farm Bill included new legislative 
language that directs the Agency not to consider any debt incurred by a 
borrower under this program in the calculation of the debt-equity ratio 
of the borrower for purposes of eligibility for loans under the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.).
    All new and pending RESP letters of intent as well as all new and 
pending RESP loan applications will be reviewed consistent with the new 
statutory provisions. Requests to modify previously approved RESP loan 
agreements consistent with the new statutory provisions and other 
relevant law will be considered on a case-by-case basis where RESP 
funds have not been advanced.
    Applicants may amend their application and reapply if they were 
denied under the existing NOFA of August 6, 2018 (83 FR 38273) or not 
invited to proceed in the application process if the new statutory 
provisions apply to their energy efficiency proposal. Such amendments 
will not interrupt continued acceptance of applications. The current 
NOFA provided for a first come, first served process, and this process 
will continue, and any reapplications will move into line with the 
reapplication date.
    In the Federal Register on August 6, 2018 (83 FR 38273) make the 
following correction:

Summary of Changes

    1. On page 38275, in the second column, under section A. Program 
Description, revise the fourth sentence to read as follows:
    Loans made by RESP borrowers under this program may be repaid 
through charges added to the Qualified consumer's recurring service 
bill for the property or properties for, or at which, energy 
efficiencies are or will be implemented.
    2. On page 38279, in the second column, under d. EE Program 
Compliance, second paragraph, revise the second sentence to read as 
follows:
    Nonetheless, under no circumstances will the RESP borrower be able 
to charge more than 5 percent interest rate to its customers.
    3. On page 38279, in the second column, under section d. EE Program 
Compliance, revise the first sentence in the third paragraph to read as 
follows:
    Qualified consumers must ordinarily repay their loans to the RESP 
borrower through charges added by the RESP borrower to the consumer's 
recurring service bill associated with the property where the energy 
efficiency measures are or will be implemented.
    4. On page 38280, in the second column, under the B. Variable 
frequency drive section, revise (ix) to read as follows:
    Efficient cost-effective on- or off-grid renewable energy systems 
if consistent with the statutory purpose of RESP.
    5. On page 38280, in the second column, under B. Variable frequency 
drive section, revise (x) to read as follows:
    Efficient cost-effective energy storage systems if permanently 
installed to reduce the energy cost or usage of small businesses and 
families within a rural area.

Chad Rupe,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-08796 Filed 4-30-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P

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