Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program (10.775)
Program
10.775 Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program
Federal Agency
Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Department of Agriculture
Authorization
Pursuant to enactment of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, Title IX, Section 9006.
Program Number
10.775
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
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.
Types of Assistance
Direct loans, loan guarantees and grants
Uses and Use Restrictions
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.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
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.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Farmers, ranchers and rural small businessses.
Credentials/Documentation
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 Classificaiton System; provided the entity has 500 or fewer employees and $20 million or less total annual receipts including all parent, affiliate, or subsidiary entities at other locations.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None
Application Procedure
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, fesibility studies, energy audits, and written technical requirements.
Award Procedure
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 applicaitons. The State Rural Development Office will score the applicaiton 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.
Deadlines
The applications must be postmarked no later than June 27, 2003 (for this years funding). Following fiscal years, the program will operate under a continuous sign-up process.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Adverse actions made on applications are appealable purusant to 7 CFR part 11.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
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 perecent of leveraged funds. In-kind contributions and other Federal grants may not be used to mee the 75 percent requirement.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grant funds will be provided on a reimbursement basis unless the funding partners require the funds to be disbursed on a pro rata basis.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
A financial status report and a project performance report will be rquired 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 acoomplished.
Audits
Accounting records prepared in accordance with generally accepted accountin principles (GAAP) and supported by source documentation.
Records
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 3 years after final disbursement, except that hte records shall be retained beyond the 3-year period if audit findings have not been resolved.
Program Accomplishments
Not applicable.
Financial Information
Account Identification
(at this time do not have information)
Obligations
FY 03 $23,000,000; FY 04 est $3,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
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 next fiscal year.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
The NOFA that was published in the Federal Register on April 8, 2003 provide the names, addresses and phone numbers of the contacts for each state.
Headquarters Office
Rural Business-Cooperative Services, Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue S.W., Washington, DC 20013. Telephone: (202) 720-1400. Use the same number for FTS.
Web Site Address
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
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 or RBS, who will award the grants.
