USDA program announces funding for renewables, efficiency
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a notice of funding availability (NOFA) for grants and loan guarantees for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. The notice appeared on page 19183 of the Federal Register for March 29. The application deadline for a number of the funding choices is April 30.
The NOFA included a list of the state offices where applications must be filed. The balance of the notice is reprinted below:
Notice of Funding Availability for the Rural Energy for America Program
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: This Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) announces the acceptance of applications under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for Fiscal Year 2013 for financial assistance as follows: grants, guaranteed loans, and combined grants and guaranteed loans for the development and construction of renewable energy systems and for energy efficiency improvement projects; and grants for conducting renewable energy system feasibility studies. The Notice also announces the availability of up to $20.8 million of Fiscal Year 2013 budget authority to fund these REAP activities, which will support up to $10.4 million in grant program level and up to $43.4 million in guaranteed loan program level.
DATES: In order to be considered for Fiscal Year 2013 funds, complete applications under this Notice must be received by the appropriate USDA Rural Development State Office no later than 4:30 p.m. local time of the dates as follows:
For renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant applications and combination grant and guaranteed loan applications: April 30, 2013.
For renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement guaranteed loan only applications: On a continuous basis up to July 15, 2013.
For renewable energy system feasibility study applications: April 30, 2013.
Energy audits and renewable energy development assistance grant funding will not be available for Fiscal Year 2013, due to the statutory timeframe to award and obligate funds by April 1, 2013.
ADDRESSES: See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for addresses concerning applications for the Rural Energy for America Program for Fiscal Year 2013 funds.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this Notice, please contact Mr. Kelley Oehler, Branch Chief, USDA Rural Development, Energy Division, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 720–6819. Email: kelley.oehler@wdc.usda.gov.
For further information on this program, please contact the applicable USDA Rural Development Energy Coordinator for your respective State, as provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this Notice.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Fiscal Year 2013 Applications for the Rural Energy for America Program Applications. Application materials may be obtained by contacting one of Rural Development’s Energy Coordinators. In addition, for grant applications, applicants may access the electronic grant application for the Rural Energy for America Program at http://www.grants.gov. To locate the downloadable application package for this program, the applicant must use the program’s Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number 10.868 or FedGrants Funding Opportunity Number, which can be found at http://www.grants.gov.
Application submittal. For renewable energy system, energy efficiency improvement, and feasibility study applications, submit complete paper applications to the Rural Development State Office in the State in which the applicant’s proposed project is located. Submit electronic grant only applications at http://www.grants.gov, following the instructions found on this Web site.