Amended Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) Program, 39394-39395 [2023-12848]

Download as PDF 39394 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 116 / Friday, June 16, 2023 / Notices The Forest Service has determined that the changes to the handbook formulate standards, criterion, or guidelines applicable to a Forest Service program and are therefore publishing the proposed manual for public comment in accordance with 36 CFR part 216. The Forest Service is seeking public comment on the proposed directive, including the sufficiency of the proposed directive in meeting its stated objectives, ways to enhance the utility and clarity of information within the direction, or ways to streamline processes outlined. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures exclude from documentation in an environmental assessment or impact statement ‘‘rules, regulations, or policies to establish service wide administrative procedures, program processes, or instructions’’ (36 CFR 220.6(d)(2)). The Agency’s conclusion is that these proposed directives fall within this category of actions and that no extraordinary circumstances exist as currently defined that require preparation of an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement. After the public comment period closes, the Forest Service will consider timely comments that are within the scope of the proposed directive in the development of the final directive. A notice of the final directive, including a response to timely comments, will be posted on the Forest Service’s web page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/aboutagency/regulations-policies/commenton-directives. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: June 12, 2023. Troy Heithecker, Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. 2023–12922 Filed 6–15–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411–15–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service [Docket No. RUS–23–ELECTRIC–0003] Amended Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) Program Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice; amendment. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 AGENCY: ACTION: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announced its intent to solicit Letters of Interest (LOI) for Applications under the Powering Affordable Clean SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:43 Jun 15, 2023 Jkt 259001 Energy (PACE) Program in a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on May 16, 2023, in the Federal Register. In addition, the NOFO announced the Application process and deadlines, and the criteria that RUS will use to evaluate applications under the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) Program. These loan funds will be made to qualified PACE Applicants to finance power generation Projects for Renewable Energy Resource (RER) systems or Energy Storage Systems (ESS) that support RER Projects. The PACE Program has $1,000,000,000 available in appropriated funds under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). This notice is making amendments to ensure applicants know they are required to establish a Verified eAuthentication ID, to inform applicants that they are eligible for the PACE Program even if they are subject to a ‘‘cooling off period’’ under the Rural Electrification Act, and to notify applicants that the Agency will provide general assistance to applicants through the RUS’ General Field Representatives (GFRs) prior to LOI submissions. DATES: Letters of Interest (LOIs) can be submitted beginning at 11:59 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) on June 30, 2023, until 11:59 a.m. ET September 29, 2023. An applicant that is invited by RUS to proceed with the loan Application will have 60 days, or a time agreeable to the Agency, to complete and submit a loan Application beginning from the date the Invitation to Proceed is emailed to the PACE Applicant. If the deadline to submit the completed Application falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a Federal holiday, the Application is due the next business day. RUS reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to extend the deadline upon the written request of the applicant if the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Administrator that exceptional circumstances exist to warrant the extension. ADDRESSES: Letters of Interest (LOI) Submissions. All LOIs must be submitted to RUS electronically through an on-line application window. The Agency will finalize the specific requirements of submitting the LOI through the on-line application window by notice in the Federal Register and the RUS website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programsservices/electric-programs/poweringaffordable-clean-energy-pace-program on or before June 30, 2023. Application Submissions. LOI submitters chosen to proceed with the loan Application must submit a completed loan Application package in accordance with the instructions PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 provided in the RUS’ Invitation to Proceed. Other information. Additional information and resources are available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programsservices/electric-programs/poweringaffordable-clean-energy-pace-program. Information on IRA Funding for RD is located at the following website: https:// www.rd.usda.gov/inflation-reductionact#fn. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher A. McLean, Assistant Administrator, Electric Program, RUS, RD, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1568, Washington, DC 20250–1560; Telephone: 202–690–4492; Email: SM.RD.RUS.IRA.Questions@ usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Corrections and Amendments This program was initially announced in the Federal Register on May 16, 2023, in FR Document 2023–10388. As of this publication, the following changes are being implemented. 1. On page 31239, in the second column, section D.7, is being amended to add two new paragraphs, (g) and (h), to read as follows: (g) Prior to accessing the on-line application window to submit an LOI or an Application, PACE Applicants must obtain a Verified USDA eAuthentication (eAuth) account for each member of their staff requiring access to the online application window. If an Applicant or staff member does not have a Verified eAuth account, then they will need to create an account or upgrade an existing account. To do so, a person will need to follow the instructions on the USDA eAuth website to create a Verified eAuth account or upgrade an existing account from ‘‘unverified’’ to ‘‘verified.’’ The USDA eAuth website can be found at: https://www.eauth.usda.gov/eauth/b/ usda/home. (h) The 120-month or 180-month exclusions referenced in sec. 306B of the Rural Electrification Act and related regulations do not apply to financing under this program. 2. On page 31243, in the first column, section I is being amended to add a new paragraph 9. to read as follows: 9. Application of General Assistance. Prior to official submission of an LOI, Applicants may request general assistance from the Agency if such requests are made prior to August 17, 2023. The Agency may provide general assistance as it is able, and Applicants may request assistance in the form of general assistance and consultation with an RUS GFR. Please note that RUS GFRs shall not provide strategic submission or E:\FR\FM\16JNN1.SGM 16JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 116 / Friday, June 16, 2023 / Notices Rural Utilities Service Application Process: Applicants must submit an LOI in order to be considered for an Invitation to Proceed. An Eligible Entity that is invited by RUS to proceed will receive an Invitation to Proceed and will have sixty (60) days to complete and submit a New ERA Application beginning from the date the Invitation to Proceed is emailed to the Applicant. If the sixty (60)-day deadline to submit the completed application falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a Federal holiday, the application is due the next business day. RUS reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to extend the sixty (60)-day deadline upon the written request of the Applicant if the Applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Administrator that exceptional circumstances exist to warrant the extension. New ERA Awards will be made as soon as possible following the submission of a New ERA Application, and all New ERA funds must be fully disbursed on or before September 30, 2031. [Docket No. RUS–23–ELECTRIC–0005] ADDRESSES: strategic LOI advice, and applicants are fully responsible for their submissions. Assistance may also be requested to Agency staff in the form of requests to speak at meetings, events, and conferences to explain program provisions and answer questions about this funding announcement. Such requests and responses will be posted to the PACE FAQ page. Information on contacting an RUS GFR can be found here: https://www.rd.usda.gov/contactus/electric-gfr. For requests regarding speaking engagements, please email: SM.RD.RUS.IRA.Questions@usda.gov. Andrew Berke, Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, USDA Rural Development. [FR Doc. 2023–12848 Filed 6–15–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–15–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Amended Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice; amendment. AGENCY: ACTION: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announced its intent to solicit Letters of Interest (LOI) for applications under the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program in a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on May 16, 2023, in the Federal Register. In addition, the NOFO announced the eligibility requirements, application process and deadlines, and the criteria that RUS will use to assess New ERA Applications. This notice is making corrections and amendments to clarify timelines for application submission, ensure applicants know they are required to establish a Verified eAuthentication ID, inform applicants that they are eligible for the New ERA Program even if they are subject to a ‘‘cooling off period’’ under the Rural Electrification Act, and to notify applicants that the Agency will provide general assistance to applicants through the RUS’ General Field Representatives (GFRs) prior to LOI submissions. DATES: Letters of Interest can be submitted beginning at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on July 31, 2023, and until 11:59 p.m. ET on August 31, 2023. Letters of Interest will not be accepted after 11:59 p.m. ET on August 31, 2023. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:43 Jun 15, 2023 Jkt 259001 Letters of Interest (LOI) Submissions. All LOIs must be submitted to RUS electronically through an RUS on-line application portal. The Agency will finalize the specific requirements of submitting the LOI through the on-line application portal by separate notice in the Federal Register, the RUS website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programsservices/electric-programs/empoweringrural-america-new-era-program, and Grants.gov on or before July 31, 2023. Application Submissions. Eligible Entities selected to proceed with the New ERA Application must submit a completed New ERA Application package in accordance with the instructions that will be provided in the RUS Invitation to Proceed. Other Information: Additional information, resources, and sample LOI are available at https:// www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/ electric-programs/empowering-ruralamerica-new-era-program. The IRA Funding for Rural Development website is located at www.rd.usda.gov/inflationreduction-act. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher McLean, Assistant Administrator, Electric Program, Rural Utilities Service, Rural Development, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1568, Washington, DC 20250–1560; Telephone: 202–690–4492. Email to: SM.RD.RUS.IRA.Questions@ usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 39395 Corrections and Amendments This program was initially announced in the Federal Register on May 16, 2023, in FR Doc 2023–10393. As of this publication, the following changes are being implemented. 1. On page 31225, in the first column, section D.2. in paragraph ii, the number of days to submit an application package after receipt of an Invitation to Proceed is amended from 90 day to 60 days. This section is amended and restated to read as follows: ii. Phase 2—Application Submission. Upon receiving an Invitation to Proceed, the Applicant must submit its application package within sixty (60) days of receipt of such invitation. The Applicant’s application package must contain the applicable information and documents required in 7 CFR part 1710, subpart D as well as the following information and documentation: 2. On page 31227, in the third column, section D.7, paragraph ii is being corrected from ninety (90) days to sixty (60) days. This section is amended and restated to read as follows: ii. By submitting the LOI, the Eligible Entity certifies to RUS that it has the intent and ability to submit a complete New ERA Application within sixty (60) days of RUS emailing an Invitation to Proceed should RUS provide such Invitation to Proceed. 3. On page 31228, in the second column, section D.7 is being amended to add two new paragraphs, ix and x to read as follows: ix. Prior to accessing the online application window to submit an LOI or an Application, an Applicant must obtain a Verified USDA eAuthentication (eAuth) account for each member of their staff requiring access to the online application window. If an Applicant or staff member does not have a Verified eAuth account, they will need to create an account or upgrade an existing account. To do so, a person will need to follow the instructions on the USDA eAuth website to create a Verified eAuth account or upgrade an existing account from ‘‘unverified’’ to ‘‘verified.’’ The USDA eAuth website can be found at: https://www.eauth.usda.gov/eauth/b/ usda/home. x. The 120-month or 180-month exclusions referenced in sec. 306B of the RE Act and related regulations do not apply to financing under this program. 4. On page 31232, in the second column, section I is being amended to add a new paragraph 9 to read as follows: 9. Application of General Assistance. Prior to official submission of an LOI, E:\FR\FM\16JNN1.SGM 16JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 116 (Friday, June 16, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39394-39395]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-12848]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

[Docket No. RUS-23-ELECTRIC-0003]


Amended Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Powering Affordable 
Clean Energy (PACE) Program

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; amendment.

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

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the Agency), a Rural 
Development (RD) Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture 
(USDA), announced its intent to solicit Letters of Interest (LOI) for 
Applications under the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) Program 
in a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on May 16, 2023, in the 
Federal Register. In addition, the NOFO announced the Application 
process and deadlines, and the criteria that RUS will use to evaluate 
applications under the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) Program. 
These loan funds will be made to qualified PACE Applicants to finance 
power generation Projects for Renewable Energy Resource (RER) systems 
or Energy Storage Systems (ESS) that support RER Projects. The PACE 
Program has $1,000,000,000 available in appropriated funds under the 
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). This notice is making amendments 
to ensure applicants know they are required to establish a Verified 
eAuthentication ID, to inform applicants that they are eligible for the 
PACE Program even if they are subject to a ``cooling off period'' under 
the Rural Electrification Act, and to notify applicants that the Agency 
will provide general assistance to applicants through the RUS' General 
Field Representatives (GFRs) prior to LOI submissions.

DATES: Letters of Interest (LOIs) can be submitted beginning at 11:59 
a.m. Eastern Time (ET) on June 30, 2023, until 11:59 a.m. ET September 
29, 2023. An applicant that is invited by RUS to proceed with the loan 
Application will have 60 days, or a time agreeable to the Agency, to 
complete and submit a loan Application beginning from the date the 
Invitation to Proceed is emailed to the PACE Applicant. If the deadline 
to submit the completed Application falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a 
Federal holiday, the Application is due the next business day. RUS 
reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to extend the deadline upon 
the written request of the applicant if the applicant demonstrates to 
the satisfaction of the Administrator that exceptional circumstances 
exist to warrant the extension.

ADDRESSES: 
    Letters of Interest (LOI) Submissions. All LOIs must be submitted 
to RUS electronically through an on-line application window. The Agency 
will finalize the specific requirements of submitting the LOI through 
the on-line application window by notice in the Federal Register and 
the RUS website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/electric-programs/powering-affordable-clean-energy-pace-program on or before 
June 30, 2023.
    Application Submissions. LOI submitters chosen to proceed with the 
loan Application must submit a completed loan Application package in 
accordance with the instructions provided in the RUS' Invitation to 
Proceed.
    Other information. Additional information and resources are 
available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/electric-programs/powering-affordable-clean-energy-pace-program. Information on 
IRA Funding for RD is located at the following website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/inflation-reduction-act#fn.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher A. McLean, Assistant 
Administrator, Electric Program, RUS, RD, USDA, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW, STOP 1568, Washington, DC 20250-1560; Telephone: 202-690-
4492; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Corrections and Amendments

    This program was initially announced in the Federal Register on May 
16, 2023, in FR Document 2023-10388. As of this publication, the 
following changes are being implemented.
    1. On page 31239, in the second column, section D.7, is being 
amended to add two new paragraphs, (g) and (h), to read as follows:
    (g) Prior to accessing the on-line application window to submit an 
LOI or an Application, PACE Applicants must obtain a Verified USDA 
eAuthentication (eAuth) account for each member of their staff 
requiring access to the online application window. If an Applicant or 
staff member does not have a Verified eAuth account, then they will 
need to create an account or upgrade an existing account. To do so, a 
person will need to follow the instructions on the USDA eAuth website 
to create a Verified eAuth account or upgrade an existing account from 
``unverified'' to ``verified.'' The USDA eAuth website can be found at: 
https://www.eauth.usda.gov/eauth/b/usda/home.
    (h) The 120-month or 180-month exclusions referenced in sec. 306B 
of the Rural Electrification Act and related regulations do not apply 
to financing under this program.
    2. On page 31243, in the first column, section I is being amended 
to add a new paragraph 9. to read as follows:
    9. Application of General Assistance. Prior to official submission 
of an LOI, Applicants may request general assistance from the Agency if 
such requests are made prior to August 17, 2023. The Agency may provide 
general assistance as it is able, and Applicants may request assistance 
in the form of general assistance and consultation with an RUS GFR. 
Please note that RUS GFRs shall not provide strategic submission or

[[Page 39395]]

strategic LOI advice, and applicants are fully responsible for their 
submissions. Assistance may also be requested to Agency staff in the 
form of requests to speak at meetings, events, and conferences to 
explain program provisions and answer questions about this funding 
announcement. Such requests and responses will be posted to the PACE 
FAQ page. Information on contacting an RUS GFR can be found here: 
https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/electric-gfr. For requests regarding 
speaking engagements, please email: [email protected].

Andrew Berke,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, USDA Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 2023-12848 Filed 6-15-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P

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