Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program, 48429-48430 [2023-15897]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 143 / Thursday, July 27, 2023 / Notices Respondents: Manufacturers and vendors of biobased products. Participation is voluntary. Estimated Number of Respondents: 220. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: One per manufacturer or vendor. Estimated Number of Responses: 220. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 8,800 hours, one time only. Manufacturers and vendors are only asked to respond once for each stand-alone product or product family. Therefore, there is no ongoing annual paperwork burden on respondents unless they wish to add additional stand-alone products or product families. Furthermore, their participation in the BioPreferred Program is entirely voluntary. Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Katherine Anne Mathis, Rural Development Innovation Center—Regulations Management Division, at (202) 713–7565. Email: katherine.mathis@usda.gov. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Karama Neal, Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA Rural Development. [FR Doc. 2023–15884 Filed 7–26–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions while advancing the longterm resiliency, reliability, and affordability of rural electric systems. This Notice announces an update on how to submit an LOI, additional information that must be submitted and an extension of time to submit LOIs. DATES: The Agency will begin accepting LOIs for the New ERA Program beginning at 11:59 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) on July 31, 2023, and until 11:59 p.m. ET on September 15, 2023. Letters of Interest will not be accepted after 11:59 p.m. ET on September 15, 2023. ADDRESSES: All LOIs must be submitted to RUS electronically at www.grants.gov. Additional information and resources are available at https:// www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/ electric-programs/empowering-ruralamerica-new-era-program. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 funding for Rural Development website is located at https://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: Authority: The New ERA Program is authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Pub. L. 117–169, ‘‘IRA’’), Subtitle C, Section 22004. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service [DOCKET #: RUS–23–ELECTRIC–0005] Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice; announcement of the opening of the online application window for the New ERA Program. AGENCY: ACTION: The Rural Utilities Service, a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), hereinafter referred to as ‘‘RUS’’ or ‘‘the Agency’’ 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 also announced the eligibility requirements, application process and deadlines, and the criteria that RUS will use to assess New ERA Applications. The New ERA funds will be used to assist Eligible Entities in achieving the greatest ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:21 Jul 26, 2023 Jkt 259001 Overview Federal Awarding Agency Name: Rural Utilities Service. Funding Opportunity Title: Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program. Announcement Type: Announcement of the Opening of the On-Line Application Window for the New ERA Program. Assistance Listing Number: 10.758. Funding Opportunity Number: RUS– NewERA–2023 LOI submission information: RUS will accept electronic submission of LOIs through Grants.gov. RUS will not accept paper, facsimile, or email transmission. I. Background On August 16, 2022, The Biden Harris Administration and the United State Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 which authorized the New ERA Program. The goal of the New ERA Program is to provide financial assistance to Eligible Entities to achieve PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 48429 the greatest reductions in GHG emissions through the cooperatives’ voluntary transformation of rural electric systems in a way that promotes resiliency and reliability of rural electric systems and affordability for their members. On May 16, 2023, the Agency published a NOFO in the Federal Register (88 FR 31218) that solicited LOIs for applications under the New ERA Program and announced the application process as well as provided deadlines for applications from Eligible Entities. The NOFO also informed potential Applicants that the Agency would finalize the specific requirements of submitting an LOI through the on-line application window by a separate notice in the Federal Register and on the RUS website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/ programs-services/electric-programs/ empowering-rural-america-new-eraprogram. In response to stakeholder requests, RUS is extending the deadline for accepting LOI submissions from August 31, 2023, to September 15, 2023, to provide stakeholders more time to prepare their LOIs. II. Letter of Interest Requirements and Submission A. Letter of Interest Requirements The Agency has added the requirement to submit an Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424) to the list of items needed for a complete LOI in order to accept the LOI’s through Grants.gov. In addition to the SF 424, Applicants will still be required to provide the information included in Section D.2.i. of the NOFO that published in the Federal Register on May 16, 2023, (88 FR 31218). The RUS New ERA website will include an LOI Guide at https://www.rd.usda.gov/ programs-services/electric-programs/ empowering-rural-america-new-eraprogram. The LOI Guide will provide details on the submission of the LOI on Grants.gov, including how to provide attachments. In addition, the LOI Guide will detail how Applicants should use the RUS geospatial mapping tool to draw the service areas associated with each New ERA project and then upload Shapefiles to Grants.gov as part of an LOI Application. The LOI Guide will also indicate where to attach the additional requirements for the LOI, such as a copy of the Applicant’s balance sheet and income statements. B. Letter of Interest Submission 1. Application of General Assistance. Prior to official submission of an LOI, Applicants may request general assistance from the Agency if such E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM 27JYN1 48430 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 143 / Thursday, July 27, 2023 / Notices requests are made prior to September 8, 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 General Field Representative (GFR). Please note that RUS GFRs shall not provide strategic submission or 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. Responses to questions regarding program provisions and this funding announcement will be posted to the New ERA FAQ page. Information on contacting an RUS GFR can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/ electric-gfr. For requests regarding speaking engagements, please email: SM.RD.RUS.IRA.Questions@usda.gov. 2. Letters of Interest Submission Deadlines: The Agency will begin accepting LOIs for the New ERA Program beginning at 11:59 a.m. ET on July 31, 2023, and until 11:59 p.m. ET on September 15, 2023. The LOIs must be submitted electronically thru www.grants.gov. The New ERA funding opportunity in Grants.gov can be found by searching for the funding opportunity number found in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this Notice. Please review the Grants.gov website at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/ register.html for instructions on the process of registering an organization as soon as possible to ensure that all electronic application deadlines are met. Grants.gov will not accept applications submitted after the deadline. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 III. Program Requirements To be eligible for an award, applications must meet all of the requirements contained in the NOFO published in the Federal Register on May 16, 2023, at 88 FR 31218. Information can also be found at https:// www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/ electric-programs/empowering-ruralamerica-new-era-program. Andrew Berke, Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2023–15897 Filed 7–26–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–15–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:21 Jul 26, 2023 Jkt 259001 COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Notice of Public Meeting of the Nebraska Advisory Committee; Correction Commission on Civil Rights. Notice; correction to meeting AGENCY: ACTION: type. The Commission on Civil Rights published a notice in the Federal Register on Friday, June 16, 2023, concerning a meeting of the Nebraska Advisory Committee. The meeting type has since changed. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Victoria Moreno, vmoreno@usccr.gov. Correction: In the Federal Register on Friday, June 16, 2023, in FR Document Number 2023–12875, on pages 39396– 39397, first column, correct the meeting type to: Community Forum, Wednesday, August 9, 2023 from 1:00pm–4:00pm CST. SUMMARY: Dated: July 21, 2023. David Mussatt, Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit. [FR Doc. 2023–15885 Filed 7–26–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Notice of Public Meeting of the Wyoming Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, that the Wyoming Advisory Committee (Committee) to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will hold a public forum via Zoom at 1 p.m. MT on Monday, September 18, 2023. The purpose of this meeting is to hear testimony from individuals impacted by housing discrimination in the state. DATES: Monday, September 18, 2023, from 1 p.m.–3 p.m. Mountain Time. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held via Zoom. Registration Link (Audio/Visual): https://www.zoomgov.com/j/ 1603845385. Join by Phone (Audio Only): (833) 435–1820 USA Toll-Free; Meeting ID: 160 384 5385. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kayla Fajota, Designated Federal Officer, at kfajota@usccr.gov or (434) 515–2395. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 This committee meeting is available to the public through the registration link above. Any interested member of the public may listen to the meeting. An open comment period will be provided to allow members of the public to make a statement as time allows. Per the Federal Advisory Committee Act, public minutes of the meeting will include a list of persons who are present at the meeting. If joining via phone, callers can expect to incur regular charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, according to their wireless plan. The Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Callers will incur no charge for calls they initiate over landline connections to the toll-free telephone number. Closed captioning will be available for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have certain cognitive or learning impairments. To request additional accommodations, please email Liliana Schiller, Support Services Specialist, at lschiller@usccr.gov at least 10 business days prior to the meeting. Members of the public are entitled to submit written comments; the comments must be received in the regional office within 30 days following the meeting. Written comments may be emailed to Kayla Fajota at kfajota@ usccr.gov. Persons who desire additional information may contact the Regional Programs Coordination Unit at (312) 353–8311. Records generated from this meeting may be inspected and reproduced at the Regional Programs Coordination Unit Office, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Records of the meetings will be available via www.facadatabase.gov under the Commission on Civil Rights, Wyoming Advisory Committee link. Persons interested in the work of this Committee are directed to the Commission’s website, https://www.usccr.gov, or may contact the Regional Programs Coordination Unit at lschiller@ usccr.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Agenda I. Welcome & Roll Call II. Opening Remarks III. Public Forum IV. Public Comment V. Closing Remarks VI. Adjournment Dated: July 24, 2023. David Mussatt, Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit. [FR Doc. 2023–15943 Filed 7–26–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM 27JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 143 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48429-48430]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15897]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

[DOCKET #: RUS-23-ELECTRIC-0005]


Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; announcement of the opening of the online application 
window for the New ERA Program.

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

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service, a Rural Development agency of the 
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), hereinafter referred to 
as ``RUS'' or ``the Agency'' 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 also announced the 
eligibility requirements, application process and deadlines, and the 
criteria that RUS will use to assess New ERA Applications. The New ERA 
funds will be used to assist Eligible Entities in achieving the 
greatest reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions while advancing 
the long-term resiliency, reliability, and affordability of rural 
electric systems. This Notice announces an update on how to submit an 
LOI, additional information that must be submitted and an extension of 
time to submit LOIs.

DATES: The Agency will begin accepting LOIs for the New ERA Program 
beginning at 11:59 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) on July 31, 2023, and until 
11:59 p.m. ET on September 15, 2023. Letters of Interest will not be 
accepted after 11:59 p.m. ET on September 15, 2023.

ADDRESSES: All LOIs must be submitted to RUS electronically at 
www.grants.gov. Additional information and resources are available at 
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/electric-programs/empowering-rural-america-new-era-program. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 
funding for Rural Development website is located at https://www.rd.usda.gov/inflation-reduction-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: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Authority: The New ERA Program is authorized under the Inflation 
Reduction Act of 2022 (Pub. L. 117-169, ``IRA''), Subtitle C, Section 
22004.

Overview

    Federal Awarding Agency Name: Rural Utilities Service.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Empowering Rural America (New ERA) 
Program.
    Announcement Type: Announcement of the Opening of the On-Line 
Application Window for the New ERA Program.
    Assistance Listing Number: 10.758.
    Funding Opportunity Number: RUS-NewERA-2023
    LOI submission information: RUS will accept electronic submission 
of LOIs through Grants.gov. RUS will not accept paper, facsimile, or 
email transmission.

I. Background

    On August 16, 2022, The Biden Harris Administration and the United 
State Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 which 
authorized the New ERA Program. The goal of the New ERA Program is to 
provide financial assistance to Eligible Entities to achieve the 
greatest reductions in GHG emissions through the cooperatives' 
voluntary transformation of rural electric systems in a way that 
promotes resiliency and reliability of rural electric systems and 
affordability for their members.
    On May 16, 2023, the Agency published a NOFO in the Federal 
Register (88 FR 31218) that solicited LOIs for applications under the 
New ERA Program and announced the application process as well as 
provided deadlines for applications from Eligible Entities. The NOFO 
also informed potential Applicants that the Agency would finalize the 
specific requirements of submitting an LOI through the on-line 
application window by a separate notice in the Federal Register and on 
the RUS website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/electric-programs/empowering-rural-america-new-era-program. In response to 
stakeholder requests, RUS is extending the deadline for accepting LOI 
submissions from August 31, 2023, to September 15, 2023, to provide 
stakeholders more time to prepare their LOIs.

II. Letter of Interest Requirements and Submission

A. Letter of Interest Requirements

    The Agency has added the requirement to submit an Application for 
Federal Assistance (SF 424) to the list of items needed for a complete 
LOI in order to accept the LOI's through Grants.gov. In addition to the 
SF 424, Applicants will still be required to provide the information 
included in Section D.2.i. of the NOFO that published in the Federal 
Register on May 16, 2023, (88 FR 31218). The RUS New ERA website will 
include an LOI Guide at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/electric-programs/empowering-rural-america-new-era-program. The LOI 
Guide will provide details on the submission of the LOI on Grants.gov, 
including how to provide attachments. In addition, the LOI Guide will 
detail how Applicants should use the RUS geospatial mapping tool to 
draw the service areas associated with each New ERA project and then 
upload Shapefiles to Grants.gov as part of an LOI Application. The LOI 
Guide will also indicate where to attach the additional requirements 
for the LOI, such as a copy of the Applicant's balance sheet and income 
statements.

B. Letter of Interest Submission

    1. Application of General Assistance. Prior to official submission 
of an LOI, Applicants may request general assistance from the Agency if 
such

[[Page 48430]]

requests are made prior to September 8, 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 General 
Field Representative (GFR). Please note that RUS GFRs shall not provide 
strategic submission or 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. Responses to questions regarding program 
provisions and this funding announcement will be posted to the New ERA 
FAQ page. Information on contacting an RUS GFR can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/electric-gfr. For requests regarding 
speaking engagements, please email: [email protected].
    2. Letters of Interest Submission Deadlines: The Agency will begin 
accepting LOIs for the New ERA Program beginning at 11:59 a.m. ET on 
July 31, 2023, and until 11:59 p.m. ET on September 15, 2023.
    The LOIs must be submitted electronically thru www.grants.gov. The 
New ERA funding opportunity in Grants.gov can be found by searching for 
the funding opportunity number found in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this Notice. Please review the Grants.gov website at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html for instructions on the 
process of registering an organization as soon as possible to ensure 
that all electronic application deadlines are met. Grants.gov will not 
accept applications submitted after the deadline.

III. Program Requirements

    To be eligible for an award, applications must meet all of the 
requirements contained in the NOFO published in the Federal Register on 
May 16, 2023, at 88 FR 31218. Information can also be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/electric-programs/empowering-rural-america-new-era-program.

Andrew Berke,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-15897 Filed 7-26-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P

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