Document Headings

                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
                -                       the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document                    
                -                       the number of the CFR title and the number of each part                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly                      related to                    
                -                       the agency docket number / agency internal file number                    
                -                       the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory                      Actions                    

                    See the                                          Document Drafting Handbook                                        for more details.                  

###### Department of Energy

# AGENCY:

Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy (DOE). 

# ACTION:

Notice. 

# SUMMARY:

Section 136 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, as amended, provides for grants and loans to eligible automobile manufacturers and component suppliers for projects that reequip, expand, and establish manufacturing facilities in the United States to produce light-duty vehicles and components for such vehicles, which provide meaningful improvements in fuel economy performance beyond certain specified levels. Section 136 also provides that grants and loans may cover engineering integration costs associated with such projects. The program established by section 136 is referred to as the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program. 

This notice announces that DOE has determined to change the previously announced process for submission of applications for a loan under section 136. Henceforth, DOE will consider and evaluate substantially complete applications as and when they are submitted and may make decisions on such applications and close loans with respect to such applications at any time. 

# DATES:

DOE will consider and evaluate substantially complete loan applications as and when they are submitted. 

# ADDRESSES:

Applications for loans under section 136 may be submitted or hand delivered to Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585. 

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lachlan Seward, Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, 202-586-8146. 

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Section 136 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, enacted on December 19, 2007, Public Law 110-140, authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make grants and direct loans to eligible applicants for projects that reequip, expand, or establish manufacturing facilities in the United States to produce qualified advanced technology vehicles, or qualifying components and also for engineering integration costs associated with such projects. The program established by section 136 is referred to as the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program (ATVMIP). 

                    DOE issued an interim final rule to established regulations necessary to implement the loan and grant programs authorized by section 136. Additionally, concurrent with the issuance of that interim final rule, the Department announced that it would consider and evaluate substantially complete applications for loans under the ATVMIP as and when they are submitted during a first tranche period, which closed on December 31, 2008. DOE stated that it may make decisions on such applications and close loans with respect to such applications at any time. After December 31, 2008, subsequent tranche periods were established to close on the last day of each calendar year quarter (                    *i.e.*, March 31, 2009; June 30, 2009, etc.) For applications submitted during those subsequent periods, no final decisions would be made with respect to such applications until after the close of the particular tranche period.                 

                    In order to expedite the processing of all applications for loans, DOE has determined to change the previously announced process and henceforth will consider and evaluate substantially complete applications for loans under the ATVMIP as and when they are submitted. Further, DOE may make decisions on such applications and                           ( print page 10727)                        close loans with respect to such applications at any time. Accordingly, applications submitted after December 31, 2008, will be treated in the same manner as applications submitted prior to December 31, 2008.                 

Issued in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2009. 

Owen Barwell, 

Deputy Chief Financial Officer.

[FR Doc. E9-5274 Filed 3-11-09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P