Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program

 

To create a program to make direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants to agricultural producers (farmers and ranchers) and rural small businesses to help reduce energy costs and consumption and help meet the nation's critical energy needs.

Deleted 10/11/2010 (Archived.) 10.775 Agency: Department of Agriculture
Office: Rural Development Direct Loans; Loan Guarantees/Grants. In fiscal year 2007, 562 projects were funded. Based on funding levels, we anticipate approximately the same number of projects will be funded in fiscal year 2008. The Agency anticipates the program to be at or above the same funding level for fiscal year 2009, funding activity is anticipated to be 600. Pursuant to enactment of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, Title IX, Section 9006. An eligible applicant must be an agricultural producer or rural small business. Individual applicants must be citizens of the United States (U.S.) or reside in the U.S. after being legally admitted for permanent residence. The applicant or owner must not have an outstanding judgment, delinquent on any Federal debt or debarred from receiving Federal assistance. Farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses. An Agricultural Producer (farmer or rancher) must be directly engaged in the production of agricultural products, including crops; livestock; forestry products; hydroponics; nursery stock; or aquaculture, whereby 50 percent or greater of their gross income is derived from the operations. A small business must meet the Small Business Administration's Business Size Standards by North American Industry Classification System; including all parent, affiliate, or subsidiary entities at other locations. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. The applicant must submit a complete application to the Rural Energy Coordinator in their respective State. A complete application includes standards forms 424, 424C and 424D plus Rural Development forms, feasibility studies, energy audits, environmental assessment (form RD 1940-20), and written technical requirements. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. State Rural Development Office personnel will review all applications. Ineligible and incomplete applications may be returned to the applicant and not evaluated further. projects not financially or technically feasible will not be considered for funding. Qualified industry experts will review the technical requirements of the applications. The State Rural Development Office will score the application based on the Evaluation Criteria and submit it to the National Office to be reviewed and ranked. The National Office will rank applications based on its total score. The highest scoring applications will be selected until all the funds are depleted. Recommendations for funding will be forwarded to the Administrator of RBS, who will award the grants. The Grant applications have two deadlines: Application must be postmarked no later than April 15, 2008 and June 16, 2008. The Combination loan and grant applications will be accepted and processed until June 16, 2008. Combination packages will be evaluated on a bi-weekly basis. Guaranteed loan applications will be accepted and processed until June 16, 2008, in a rolling application manner. From 60 to 180 days after the application is filed with RBS. Adverse actions made on applications are applicable. pursuant to 7 CFR part 11. None. State Rural Development Office personnel will review all applications and score it on bases of the Evaluation Criteria and submit it to the National Office to be reviewed and ranked. the National Office will rank applications based on its total score. The highest scoring applications will be selected until all the funds are depleted. Recommendations for funding will be forwarded to the Administrator of RBS, who will award the grants. The amount of a grant shall not exceed 25 percent of the cost of the eligible project costs. The maximum amount of combined grant and loan made or guaranteed shall not exceed 50 percent of the eligible project costs. The funds must be used for purchase of renewable energy systems or energy efficiency improvements. A financial status report and a project performance report will be required on a quarterly basis (due 30 working days after end of the quarter). Grantees shall constantly monitor performance to ensure that time schedules are being met and projected goals by time periods are being accomplished. Accounting records prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and supported by source documentation. Applicant will provide a financial management system in accordance with 7 CFR Part 3015. The applicant will also retain financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and other records pertinent to the award for a period of at least three years after final disbursement, except that the records shall be retained beyond the three-year period if audit findings have not been resolved. The applicant must provide at least 75 percent of leveraged funds if the request is for grant funds. For a combination grant, loan and loan guarantee, the applicant must provide at least 50 percent of leveraged funds. In-kind contributions and other Federal grants may not be used to meet the 75 percent requirement. Grant funds will be provided on a reimbursement basis unless the funding partners require the funds to be disbursed on a pro rata basis. The NOFA that was published in the Federal Register on March 6, 2008, provides the names, addresses and phone numbers of the contacts for each State. Rural Business-Cooperative Services, Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20013. Telephone: (202) 720-1400. Use the same number for FTS. http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/. Not available at this time. (Loans) FY 07 $55,846,437; FY 08 est $204,953,560; and FY 09 est not reported. (Grants) FY 07 $20,553,428; FY 08 est $15,888,000; and FY 09 est not reported. Range $2,500 to $500,000; Average $125,000. Notice of Funds Availability was published in the Federal Register for this fiscal year's funding. Regulations will be developed and published in the Federal Register this fiscal year. (1) a $20,000 grant for the purchase and installation of a small solar system. (2) a $224,000 grant for the purchase of a large wind turbine. (3) a $50,000 grant to make energy efficiency improvements to an existing facility. (4) a $171,386 grant for an anaerobic digester. (5) a $10 million guaranteed loan for the purchase and installation of a biomass electric generation facility.