Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 248 / Monday, December 29, 2014 / Notices 78029 

Dated: December 16, 2014. 

Audrey Rowe, 

Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service. 

[FR Doc. 2014–30373 Filed 12–24–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–30–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Rural Business-Cooperative Service 

Notice of Solicitation of Applications 

for the Rural Energy for America 

Program for Fiscal Year 2015 

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative 

Service, USDA. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: The Rural BusinessCooperative Service (Agency) 

announces the acceptance of 

applications under the Rural Energy for 

America Program (REAP) which is 

designed to help agricultural producers 

and rural small businesses reduce 

energy costs and consumption and help 

meet the Nation’s critical energy needs. 

REAP has two types of funding 

assistance: Renewable Energy Systems 

and Energy Efficiency Improvements 

Assistance, and Energy Audit and 

Renewable Energy Development 

Assistance Grants. 

The Renewable Energy Systems and 

Energy Efficiency Improvement 

Assistance provides grants and 

guaranteed loans to agricultural 

producers and rural small businesses to 

purchase and install renewable energy 

systems and make energy efficiency 

improvements to their operations. 

Eligible renewable energy systems for 

REAP provide energy from: Wind, solar, 

renewable biomass (including anaerobic 

digesters), small hydro-electric, ocean, 

geothermal, or hydrogen derived from 

these renewable resources. 

The Energy Audit and Renewable 

Energy Development Assistance Grant is 

available to a unit of State, Tribal, or 

local government; instrumentality of a 

State, Tribal, or local government; 

institution of higher education; rural 

electric cooperative; a public power 

entity; or a council, as defined in 16 

U.S.C. 3451. The recipient of grant 

funds, (grantee), will establish a 

program to assist agricultural producers 

and rural small businesses with 

evaluating the energy efficiency and the 

potential to incorporated renewable 

energy technologies into their 

operations. 

DATES: Grant applications, guaranteed 

loan-only applications, and combined 

grant and guaranteed loan applications 

for financial assistance under this 

subpart may be submitted at any time 

on an ongoing basis. Section IV. E., of 

this Notice establishes the deadline 

dates for the applications to be received 

in order to be considered for funding 

provided by Public Law 113–79, 

commonly referred to as the 2014 Farm 

Bill Act, for fiscal year 2014 and fiscal 

year 2015. In summary: 

(1) Renewable energy system and 

energy efficiency improvement grant 

applications and combination grant and 

guaranteed loan applications. There 

will be two application deadline dates 

to facilitate the use of fiscal years 2014 

and 2015 grant funds. These dates apply 

to both fiscal year 2014 and 2015 grant 

funds. 

(a) For applicants requesting $20,000 

or less that wish to have their 

application compete for the ‘‘Grants of 

$20,000 or less set aside,’’ complete 

applications must be received no later 

than 4:30 p.m. local time on April 30, 

2015. 

(b) For applicants requesting grant 

funds of either $20,000 or less, or grant 

funds over $20,000 (unrestricted), 

complete applications must be received 

no later than: 

(i) 4:30 p.m. local time on April 30, 

2015, or 

(ii) 4:30 p.m. local time on June 30, 

2015. 

(2) Renewable energy system and 

energy efficiency improvement 

guaranteed loan-only applications. 

Applications will be reviewed and 

processed when received with monthly 

competitions on the first business day of 

each month for those applications ready 

to be funded, however the first monthly 

competition will not take place until 

eight guaranteed loan only applications 

are received and ready to be competed. 

(3) Energy audits and renewable 

energy development assistance grant 

applications. Complete applications 

must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. 

local time on February 12, 2015. 

Application Application window 

opening dates 

Application window 

closing dates 

Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Grants (Over $20,000 and 

Combinations).

July 8, 2014 ................ April 30, 2015. 

Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Grants ($20,000 or less not 

competing for set aside funds, Over $20,000 and Combinations).

May 1, 2015 ................ June 30, 2015.* 

Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Grants ($20,000 or less 

competing for set aside funds).

July 8, 2014 ................ April 30, 2015. 

Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans .............. August 1, 2014 ............ Continuous application 

cycle. 

Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants ..................................... December 29, 2014 .... February 12, 2015.* 

* Applications received after this date will be considered for the next cycle. 

ADDRESSES: This solicitation is for 

agricultural producers and rural small 

businesses, as well as units of State, 

Tribal, or local government; 

instrumentalities of a State, Tribal, or 

local government; institutions of higher 

education; rural electric cooperatives; a 

public power entities; and Councils, as 

defined in 16 U.S.C. 3451, who serve 

agricultural producers and rural small 

businesses. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The 

applicable USDA Rural Development 

Energy Coordinator for your respective 

State, as identified via the following 

link: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_

Energy_CoordinatorList.html. 

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. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Program Description 

The REAP is designed to help 

agricultural producers and rural small 

businesses reduce energy costs and 

consumption and help meet the 

Nation’s critical energy needs. REAP has 

two types of funding assistance: (1) 

Renewable Energy Systems and Energy 

Efficiency Improvements Assistance, 

and (2) Energy Audit and Renewable 

Energy Development Assistance Grants. 

A. General. Applications for REAP 

can be submitted on an ongoing basis. 


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78030 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 248 / Monday, December 29, 2014 / Notices 

This Notice announces the deadline 

dates to submit applications for the 

REAP funds provided by the 

Agricultural Act of 2014, Pub. L. 113– 

79, on February 7, 2014, (2014 Farm 

Bill) for fiscal year 2014, and fiscal year 

2015, for: grants, guaranteed loans, and 

combined grants and guaranteed loans 

to purchase and install renewable 

energy systems, and make energy 

efficiency improvements; and for grants 

to conduct energy audits, and renewable 

energy development assistance. 

The Renewable Energy Systems and 

Energy Efficiency Improvement 

Assistance provides grants and 

guaranteed loans to agricultural 

producers and rural small businesses to 

purchase and install renewable energy 

systems and make energy efficiency 

improvements to their operations. 

Eligible renewable energy systems for 

REAP provide energy from: wind, solar, 

renewable biomass (including anaerobic 

digesters), small hydro-electric, ocean, 

geothermal, or hydrogen derived from 

these renewable resources. 

The Energy Audit and Renewable 

Energy Development Assistance Grant is 

available to a unit of State, Tribal, or 

local government; instrumentality of a 

State, Tribal, or local government; 

institution of higher education; rural 

electric cooperative; a public power 

entity; or a council, as define in 16 

U.S.C. 3451. The recipient of grant 

funds, (grantee), will establish a 

program to assist agricultural producers 

and rural small businesses with 

evaluating the energy efficiency and the 

potential to incorporate renewable 

energy technologies into their 

operations. 

The administrative requirements 

applicable to each type of funding 

available under REAP are described in 

7 CFR, part 4280, subpart B. The 

provisions specified in 7 CFR 4280.101 

through 4280.111 apply to each funding 

type described in this Notice. 

B. Renewable Energy System and 

Energy Efficiency Improvement Project 

Grants. In addition to the other 

provisions of this Notice, the 

requirements specified in 7 CFR 

4280.112 through 4280.124 apply to 

renewable energy system and energy 

efficiency improvement project grants. 

C. Renewable Energy System and 

Energy Efficiency Improvement Project 

Guaranteed Loans. In addition to the 

other provisions of this Notice the 

requirements specified in 7 CFR 

4280.125 through 4280.152, apply to 

guaranteed loans for renewable energy 

system and energy efficiency 

improvement projects. For fiscal year 

2015, the guarantee fee amount is 1 

percent of the guaranteed portion of the 

loan and the annual renewal fee is 0.250 

percent (one-quarter of 1 percent) of the 

guaranteed portion of the loan. 

D. Renewable Energy System and 

Energy Efficiency Improvement Project 

Combined Grant and Guaranteed Loan 

Requests. In addition to the other 

provisions of this Notice, the 

requirements specified in 7 CFR 

4280.165 apply to a combined grant and 

guaranteed loan for renewable energy 

system and energy efficiency 

improvement projects. 

E. Energy Audit and Renewable 

Energy Development Assistance Grants. 

In addition to the other provisions of 

this Notice, the requirements specified 

in 7 CFR 4280.186 through 4280.196 

apply to energy audit and renewable 

energy development assistance grants. 

II. Federal Award Information 

A. Statutory Authority. This program 

is authorized under 7 U.S.C. 8107. 

B. Catalog of Federal Domestic 

Assistance (CFDA) Number. 10.868. 

C. Funds Available. This Notice is 

announcing deadline dates for 

applications to be submitted for the 

REAP funds provided by the 2014 Farm 

Bill for fiscal year 2014 and fiscal year 

2015. This Notice is being published 

prior to the Congressional enactment of 

a full-year appropriation for fiscal year 

2015. The Agency will continue to 

process applications received under this 

announcement and should REAP 

receive appropriated funds, these funds 

will be announced on the following 

Web site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/

BCP_Reap.html and subject to the same 

provisions in this Notice. 

(1) Renewable energy system and 

energy efficiency improvement grantonly funds. For renewable energy 

system and energy efficiency 

improvement projects only, there will 

be an allocation of grant funds to each 

Rural Development State Office. The 

state allocations will include an 

allocation for grants of $20,000 or less 

funds and an allocation of grant funds 

that can be used to fund renewable 

energy system and energy efficiency 

improvement grants of either $20,000 or 

less or grants of more than $20,000, as 

well as the grant portion of a 

combination grant and guaranteed loan. 

The funds for grants of $20,000 or less 

can only be used to fund grants 

requesting $20,000 or less. 

(a) To ensure that small projects have 

a fair opportunity to compete for the 

funding and are consistent with the 

priorities set forth in the statute, the 

Agency will set-aside 20 percent of the 

fiscal year 2015 funds until June 30, 

2015, to fund grants of $20,000 or less. 

(b) Grant funds available for 

renewable energy system and energy 

efficiency improvement in fiscal year 

2015, regardless of the amount of 

funding requested, will consist of both 

fiscal years 2014 and 2015 funds. 

(2) Renewable energy system and 

energy efficiency improvement loan 

guarantee funds. Rural Development’s 

National Office will maintain a reserve 

of grant and guaranteed loan funds. The 

amount of loan guarantee program level 

available will consist of both fiscal years 

2014 and 2015 funds. 

(3) Renewable energy system and 

energy efficiency improvement 

guaranteed loan and grant combination 

funds. The amount of funds available 

for guaranteed loan and grant 

combination applications are outlined 

in paragraphs II.C(1)(b) and C(2). 

(4) Energy audit and renewable energy 

development assistance grant funds. 

The amount of funds available for 

energy audits and renewable energy 

development assistance in fiscal year 

2015 will be 4 percent of fiscal year 

2015 mandatory funds. Obligations of 

these funds will take place through 

March 31, 2015. Any unobligated 

balances will be moved to the renewable 

energy subsidy account as of April 1, 

2015. These funds may be utilized in 

any of the renewable energy system and 

energy efficiency improvement national 

competitions. 

D. Approximate Number of Awards. 

The estimated number of awards is 

2,000, but will depend on amount of 

funds made available and on the 

number of eligible applicants 

participating in this program. 

E. Type of Instrument. Grant, 

guaranteed loan, and grant/guaranteed 

loan combinations. 

III. Eligibility Information 

A. Eligible Applicants. To be eligible 

for the grant portion of the program, an 

applicant must meet the requirements 

specified in 7 CFR 4280.109, 7 CFR 

4280.110, and 7 CFR 4280.112, or 7 CFR 

4280.186, as applicable. 

B. Eligible Lenders and Borrowers. To 

be eligible for the guaranteed portion of 

the program, lenders and borrowers 

must meet the eligibility requirements 

in 7 CFR 4280.125 and 7 CFR 4280.127, 

as applicable. 

C. Eligible Projects. To be eligible for 

this program, a project must meet the 

eligibility requirements specified in 7 

CFR 4280.113, 7 CFR 4280.128, and 7 

CFR 4280.187, as applicable. 

D. Cost Sharing or Matching. The 

2014 Farm Bill, formally Public Law 

113–79, mandates the maximum 

percentages of funding that REAP can 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 248 / Monday, December 29, 2014 / Notices 78031 

provide. Within the maximum funding 

amounts specified in this Notice: 

(1) Renewable energy system and 

energy efficiency improvement funding 

approved for guaranteed loan-only 

requests and for combination 

guaranteed loan and grant requests will 

not exceed 75 percent of eligible project 

costs, with any grant portion not to 

exceed 25 percent of total eligible 

project costs, whether the grant is part 

of a combination request or is a grantonly. 

(2) Under the energy audit and 

renewable energy development 

assistance grants, a grantee that 

conducts energy audits must require 

that, as a condition of providing the 

energy audit, the agricultural producer 

or rural small business pay at least 25 

percent of the cost of the energy audit. 

E. Other. The definitions applicable to 

this Notice are published at 7 CFR 

4280.103. Ineligible project costs can be 

found in 7 CFR 4280.114(d), 7 CFR 

4280.129(f), and 7 CFR 4280.188(c), as 

applicable. 

IV. Application and Submission 

Information 

A. Address to Request Application. 

Application materials may be obtained 

by contacting one of Rural 

Development’s Energy Coordinators, as 

identified via the following link: 

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_

Energy_CoordinatorList.html. 

In addition, for grant applications, 

applicants may obtain electronic grant 

applications for REAP from http://

www.Grants.gov. When you enter the 

Grants.gov site, you will find 

information about submitting an 

application electronically through the 

site. To use Grants.gov, all applicants 

must have a DUNS number (unless the 

applicant is an individual), which can 

be obtained at no cost via a toll-free 

request line at 1 (866) 705–5711 or 

online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/

webform. USDA Rural Development 

strongly recommends that applicants do 

not wait until the application deadline 

date to begin the application process 

through Grants.gov. 

B. Application Submittal. 

(1) Grant applications. All grant 

applications may be submitted either as 

hard copy to the appropriate Rural 

Development Energy Coordinator or 

electronically using the Governmentwide Grants.gov Web site. When 

submitting an application as hard copy, 

applicants must submit one original. 

(a) All renewable energy system and 

energy efficiency improvement 

applications are to be submitted to the 

USDA Rural Development Energy 

Coordinator in the State in which the 

applicant’s proposed project is located. 

(b) All energy audit and renewable 

energy development assistance 

applications are to be submitted to the 

USDA Rural Development Energy 

Coordinator in the State in which the 

applicant is headquartered. A list of 

USDA Rural Development Energy 

Coordinators is available via the 

following link: http://

www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_Energy_

CoordinatorList.html. 

(c) For grant-only applicants 

submitting their electronic applications 

to the Agency via the Grants.gov Web 

site may download a copy of the 

application package to complete it off 

line and then upload and submit the 

application via the Grants.gov site, 

including all information typically 

included in the application, and all 

necessary assurances and certifications. 

After electronically submitting an 

application through the Web site, the 

applicant will receive an automated 

acknowledgement from Grants.gov that 

contains a Grants.gov tracking number. 

(2) Guaranteed loan applications. 

Guaranteed loan-only applications (i.e., 

those that are not part of a guaranteed 

loan/grant combination request) must be 

submitted as hard copy. 

(3) Guaranteed loan and grant 

combination applications. Applications 

for guaranteed loans/grants 

(combination applications) must be 

submitted as hard copy. 

C. Content and Form of Application 

Submission. Applicants seeking to 

participate in this program must submit 

applications in accordance with this 

Notice and 7 CFR part 4280, subpart B. 

Applicants must submit complete 

applications containing all parts 

necessary for the Agency to determine 

applicant and project eligibility, to score 

the application, and to conduct the 

technical evaluation, as applicable, in 

order to be considered. 

(1) Competition. The application dates 

published in Section IV.E. of this 

Notice, establishes the dates by which 

complete applications must be received, 

in order to compete for the funds 

available. 

(2) Grant applications. Information 

required for an application to be 

considered complete can be found in 7 

CFR part 4280, subpart B. 

(a) Grant applications for renewable 

energy systems and energy efficiency 

improvement projects with total project 

costs of $80,000 or less must provide 

information required by 7 CFR 

4280.119. 

(b) Grant applications for renewable 

energy systems and energy efficiency 

improvement projects with total projects 

costs of $200,000 or less, but more than 

$80,000, must provide information 

required by 7 CFR 4280.118. 

(c) Grant applications for renewable 

energy systems and energy efficiency 

improvement projects with total projects 

costs of greater than $200,000 must 

provide information required by 7 CFR 

4280.117. 

(d) Guaranteed loan applications for 

renewable energy systems and energy 

efficiency improvement projects must 

provide information required by 7 CFR 

4280.137. 

(e) Combined grant and guaranteed 

loan applications for renewable energy 

systems and energy efficiency 

improvement projects must provide 

information required by 7 CFR 

4280.165(c). 

(f) Applications for energy audits or 

renewable energy development 

assistance grants must provide 

information required by 7 CFR 

4280.190. 

(3) Race, ethnicity, and gender. The 

Agency is requesting that each applicant 

provide race, ethnicity, and gender 

information about the applicant. The 

information will allow the Agency to 

evaluate its outreach efforts to underserved and under-represented 

populations. Applicants are encouraged 

to furnish this information with their 

application, but are not required to do 

so. An applicant’s eligibility or the 

likelihood of receiving an award will 

not be impacted by furnishing or not 

furnishing this information. 

(4) Hybrid projects. If the application 

is for a hybrid project, as defined in 7 

CFR 4280.103, technical reports, as 

required under 7 CFR 4280.110(h)(1), 

must be prepared for each technology 

that comprises the hybrid project. 

(5) Multiple facilities. Applicants may 

submit a single application that 

proposes to apply the same renewable 

energy system (including the same 

hybrid project) or energy efficiency 

improvement across multiple facilities. 

For example, a rural small business 

owner owns five retail stores and wishes 

to install solar panels on each store. The 

rural small business owner may submit 

a single application for installing the 

solar panels on the five stores. However, 

if this same owner wishes to install 

solar panels on three of the five stores 

and wind turbines for the other two 

stores, the owner can only submit an 

application for either the solar panels or 

for the wind turbines in the same fiscal 

year. 

(6) Fiscal year 2014 Renewable Energy 

System and Energy Efficiency 

Improvement Applications. If an 

application for a project was submitted 

for the first time for fiscal year 2014 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
78032 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 248 / Monday, December 29, 2014 / Notices 

funding and that initial application was 

determined eligible, but was not funded, 

the Agency will consider that initial 

fiscal year 2014 application for funding 

in fiscal year 2015. The applicants that 

qualify under this paragraph will be 

allowed to provide additional 

information to document the 

environmental benefits scoring criterion 

without creating a new complete 

application date. If an applicant 

submitted the initial application on or 

prior to June 14, 2013, the applicant 

must submit a new application meeting 

the requirements of this Notice in order 

to be considered for fiscal year 2015 

funds for that project and a new 

submission date of record will be 

established. 

D. System for Award Management 

(SAM) and Dun and Bradstreet 

Universal Number System (DUNS) 

Number. Unless exempt under 2 CFR 

25.110, all applicants must: 

(1) Be registered in the SAM prior to 

submitting an application or plan; 

(2) Maintain an active SAM 

registration with current information at 

all times during which it has an active 

Federal award or an application or plan 

under consideration by the Agency; and 

(3) Provide its DUNS number in each 

application or plan it submits to the 

Agency. 

(4) At the time the Agency is ready to 

make an award, if the applicant has not 

complied with paragraph IV.A(1) 

through A(3), the Agency may 

determine the applicant is not eligible to 

receive the award. 

E. Submission Dates and Times. Grant 

applications, guaranteed loan-only 

applications, and combined grant and 

guaranteed loan applications for 

financial assistance under this subpart 

may be submitted at any time on an 

ongoing basis. When an application 

window closes, the next application 

window opens on the following day. 

This Notice establishes the deadline 

dates for the applications to be received 

in order to be considered for funding 

provided by the 2014 Farm Bill for fiscal 

year 2014 and fiscal year 2015. An 

application received after these dates 

will be considered with other 

applications received in the next 

application window. In order to be 

considered for funds under this Notice, 

complete applications must be received 

by the appropriate USDA Rural 

Development State Office or via 

grants.gov. The deadline for 

applications to be received to be 

considered for funding in fiscal year 

2015 are outlined in the following 

paragraphs and also summarized in a 

table at the end of paragraph IV.E: 

(1) Renewable energy system and 

energy efficiency improvement grant 

applications and combination grant and 

guaranteed loan applications. The 

Agency is establishing two application 

deadline dates to facilitate the use of 

fiscal years 2014 and 2015 grant funds. 

Combination grant and guaranteed loan 

applications will compete for grant 

funds based on their grant score. The 

two dates that complete applications 

must be received by the Agency in order 

to compete for available funds are: 

(a) For applicants requesting $20,000 

or less that wish to have their 

application compete for the ‘‘Grants of 

$20,000 or less set aside,’’ complete 

applications must be received no later 

than 4:30 p.m. local time on April 30, 

2015. 

(b) For applicants requesting grant 

funds of either $20,000 or less, or grant 

funds over $20,000 (unrestricted), 

complete applications must be received 

no later than: 

(i) 4:30 p.m. local time on April 30, 

2015, or 

(ii) 4:30 p.m. local time on June 30, 

2015. 

(2) Renewable energy system and 

energy efficiency improvement 

guaranteed loan-only applications. 

Applications will be reviewed and 

processed when received with monthly 

competitions on the first business day of 

each month for those applications ready 

to be funded, however the first monthly 

competition will not take place until 

eight guaranteed loan only applications 

are received and ready to be competed. 

(3) Energy audits and renewable 

energy development assistance grant 

applications. Complete applications 

must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. 

local time on February 12, 2015. 

Application Application window 

opening dates 

Application window 

closing dates 

Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Grants ($20,000 or less not 

competing for set aside funds, Over $20,000 and Combinations).

July 8, 2014 ................ April 30, 2015. 

Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Grants ($20,000 or less not 

competing for set aside funds, Over $20,000 and Combinations).

May 1, 2015 ................ June 30, 2015.* 

Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Grants ($20,000 or less 

competing for set aside funds).

July 8, 2014 ................ April 30, 2015. 

Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans .............. August 1, 2014 ............ Continuous application 

cycle. 

Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants ..................................... December 29, 2014 .... February 12, 2015.* 

* Applications received after this date will be considered for the next cycle. 

F. Intergovernmental Review. REAP is 

not subject to Executive Order 12372, 

Intergovernmental Review of Federal 

Programs. 

G. Funding Limitations. The following 

funding limitations apply to 

applications submitted under this 

Notice. 

(1) Renewable energy system and 

energy efficiency improvement projects. 

(a) Applicants may apply for only one 

renewable energy system project and 

one energy efficiency improvement 

project in fiscal year 2015. 

(b) For renewable energy system 

grants, the minimum grant is $2,500 and 

the maximum is $500,000. For energy 

efficiency improvement grants, the 

minimum grant is $1,500 and the 

maximum grant is $250,000. 

(c) For renewable energy system and 

energy efficiency improvement loan 

guarantees, the minimum guaranteed 

loan amount is $5,000 and the 

maximum amount of a guaranteed loan 

to be provided to a borrower is $25 

million. 

(d) Renewable energy system and 

energy efficiency improvement 

guaranteed loan and grant combination 

applications. Paragraphs IV.G(1)(b) and 

(c) contain the applicable maximum 

amounts and minimum amounts for 

grants and guaranteed loans. 

(2) Energy audit and renewable energy 

development assistance grants. 

(a) Applicants may only submit one 

energy audit grant application and one 

renewable energy development 

assistance grant application for fiscal 

year 2015 funds. 

(b) The maximum aggregate amount of 

energy audit and renewable energy 

development assistance grants awarded 

to any one recipient under this Notice 

cannot exceed $100,000 for fiscal year 

2015. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 248 / Monday, December 29, 2014 / Notices 78033 

(c) Public Law 113–79, commonly 

known as the 2014 Farm Bill, mandates 

that the recipient of a grant that 

conducts an energy audit for an 

agricultural producer or a rural small 

business must require the agricultural 

producer or rural small business to pay 

at least 25 percent of the cost of the 

energy audit, which shall be retained by 

the eligible entity for the cost of the 

audit. 

(3) Maximum grant assistance to an 

entity. For the purposes of this Notice, 

the maximum amount of grant 

assistance to an entity will not exceed 

$750,000 for fiscal year 2015 based on 

the total amount of renewable energy 

system, energy efficiency improvement, 

energy audit, and renewable energy 

development assistance grants awarded 

to an entity under REAP. 

H. Other Submission Requirements 

and Information. 

(1) Environmental information. For 

the Agency to consider an application, 

the application must include all 

environmental review documents with 

supporting documentation in 

accordance with 7 CFR part 1940, 

subpart G. Applications for financial 

assistance for planning or management 

purposes are typically categorically 

excluded from the environmental 

review process by 7 CFR 1940.310(e)(1). 

Any required environmental review 

must be completed prior to obligation of 

funds or the approval of the application. 

(2) Original signatures. USDA Rural 

Development may request that the 

applicant provide original signatures on 

forms submitted through Grants.gov at a 

later date. 

(3) Transparency Act Reporting. All 

recipients of Federal financial assistance 

are required to report information about 

first-tier sub awards and executive 

compensation in accordance with 2 CFR 

part 170. So long as an entity applicant 

does not have an exception under 2 CFR 

170.110(b), the applicant must have the 

necessary processes and systems in 

place to comply with the reporting 

requirements should the applicant 

receive funding. See 2 CFR 170.200(b). 

V. Application Review Information 

A. Evaluation Criteria. All complete 

applications will be scored in 

accordance with 7 CFR 4280.120, 

4280.135, and 4280.192. Applications 

for projects in rural areas with the 

lowest incomes where, according to the 

American Community Survey data by 

census, tracts show that at least 20 

percent of the population is living in 

poverty will qualify for administrative 

points applicable under 7 CFR 

4280.120(g). This emphasis will support 

Rural Development’s goal of providing 

20 percent of its funding by 2016 to 

these areas of need. 

(1) Combined grant and guaranteed 

loan applications will be scored in 

accordance with 7 CFR 4280.120. 

(2) For hybrid applications, each 

technical report will be evaluated based 

on its own merit. 

B. Review and Selection Process. 

Grant-only applications, guaranteed 

loan-only applications, and combined 

grant and guaranteed loan applications 

for financial assistance may be 

submitted at any time. In order to be 

considered for funds, complete 

applications must be received by the 

appropriate USDA Rural Development 

State Office or via grants.gov, as 

identified in Section IV. E., of this 

Notice. 

(1) Renewable energy system and 

energy efficiency improvement grants. 

Due to the competitive nature of this 

program, applications are competed 

based on submittal date. The submittal 

date is the date the Agency receives a 

complete application. The complete 

application date is the date the Agency 

receives the last piece of information 

that allows the Agency to determine 

eligibility and to score, rank, and 

compete the application for funding. 

(a) Renewable energy system and 

energy efficiency improvement grants of 

$20,000 or less State funds. Funds will 

be allocated to the States. Applications 

must be submitted by April 30, 2015 in 

order to be considered for these set 

aside funds. All State allocated unused 

funds for grants of $20,000 or less will 

be pooled to the National Office. 

(b) Renewable energy system and 

energy efficiency improvement grants of 

$20,000 or less national funds. All 

unfunded eligible applications for 

grants of $20,000 or less received by 

April 30, 2015, will be competed against 

other applications for grants of $20,000 

or less from other States at a final 

national competition. Obligations of 

these funds will take place prior to June 

30, 2015. 

(c) Renewable energy system and 

energy efficiency improvement grant 

funds that can be awarded to any 

renewable energy system or energy 

efficiency improvement application, 

regardless of the amount of the funding 

request, will be allocated to the States. 

The State will award 50 percent of these 

funds for those complete applications 

the Agency receives by April 30, 2015, 

and 50 percent of the funds for those 

complete applications the Agency 

receives by June 30, 2015. All unused 

funds for grant funds will be pooled to 

the National Office. 

(d) Renewable energy system and 

energy efficiency improvement national 

grant funds. All unfunded eligible 

applications for grants, which include 

grants of $20,000 or less, received by 

April 30, 2015, that are not funded by 

State allocations can be submitted to the 

National Office to compete against grant 

applications from other States at a final 

national competition. 

(2) Renewable energy system and 

energy efficiency improvement 

guaranteed loan funds. The National 

Office will maintain a reserve for 

renewable energy system and energy 

efficiency improvement guaranteed loan 

funds. Applications will be reviewed 

and processed when received. Those 

applications that meet the Agency’s 

underwriting requirements, are credit 

worthy, and score a minimum of 50 

points, will compete in national 

competitions for guaranteed loan funds 

on the first business day of each month. 

All unfunded eligible guaranteed loanonly applications received, that do not 

score at least 50 points will be competed 

against other guaranteed loan-only 

applications from other States at a final 

national competition, if the guaranteed 

loan reserves have not been completely 

depleted, on September 1, 2015. If funds 

remain after the final guaranteed loanonly national competition, the Agency 

may elect to utilize budget authority to 

fund additional grant-only. 

(3) Renewable energy system and 

energy efficiency improvement 

combined grant and guaranteed loan 

applications will compete with grantonly applications for grant funds 

allocated to their State referenced in 

paragraph V.B(1)(c). If the application is 

ranked high enough to receive State 

allocated grant funds, the State will 

request guaranteed loan portion of any 

combined grant and guaranteed loan 

applications from the National Office 

guaranteed loan reserve, and no further 

competition will be required. 

(4) Energy audit and renewable energy 

development assistance grant funds will 

be maintained in a reserve at the 

National Office. The two highest scoring 

applications from each State, based on 

the scoring criteria established under 

§ 4280.192, will compete for funding at 

a national competition. If funds remain 

after the energy audit and renewable 

energy development assistance national 

competition, the Agency may elect to 

transfer budget authority. The budget 

authority will be utilized to fund 

additional renewable energy system and 

energy efficiency improvement grants 

from the National Office reserve after 

pooling. 

(5) If a State allocation is not 

sufficient to fund the total amount of a 

grant or combination application, the 

applicant must be notified that they may 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
78034 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 248 / Monday, December 29, 2014 / Notices 

accept the remaining funds or submit 

the total request for National Office 

reserve funds available after pooling. If 

the applicant agrees to lower its grant 

request, the applicant must certify that 

the purposes of the project will be met 

and provide the remaining total funds 

needed to complete the project. 

If one or more grant or combination 

applications have the same score and 

remaining funds in the State allocation 

are insufficient to fully award all, the 

remaining funds must be divided 

proportionally between the 

applications. The applicant must be 

notified they may accept the 

proportional amount of funds or submit 

their total request for National Office 

reserve. If the applicant agrees to lower 

its grant request, the applicant must 

certify that the purposes of the project 

will be met and provide the remaining 

total funds needed to complete the 

project. 

At its discretion, the Agency may also 

elect to allow the remaining funds to be 

carried over to the next fiscal year rather 

than selecting a lower scoring 

application(s) or distributing funds on a 

pro-rata basis. 

C. Award Considerations. All awards 

will be on a discretionary basis. In 

determining the amount of a renewable 

energy system or energy efficiency 

improvement grant or loan guarantee, 

the Agency will consider the six criteria 

specified in 7 CFR 4280.114(e) or 7 CFR 

4280.129(g), as applicable. 

D. Anticipated Announcement and 

Federal Award Dates. All awards should 

be completed by September 30, 2015. 

VI. Federal Award Administration 

Information 

A. Federal Award Notices. The 

Agency will award and administer 

renewable energy system and energy 

efficiency improvement grants, 

guaranteed loans in accordance with 7 

CFR 4280.122, and 7 CFR 4280.139, as 

applicable. The Agency will award and 

administer the energy audit and 

renewable energy development 

assistance grants in accordance with 7 

CFR 4280.195. Notification 

requirements of 7 CFR 4280.111, apply 

to this Notice. 

B. Administrative and National Policy 

Requirements. 

(1) Equal Opportunity and 

Nondiscrimination. The Agency will 

ensure that equal opportunity and 

nondiscrimination requirements are met 

in accordance with the Equal Credit 

Opportunity Act, 15 U.S.C. 1691 et seq. 

and 7 CFR part 15d, Nondiscrimination 

in Programs and Activities Conducted 

by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

The Agency will not discriminate 

against applicants on the basis of race, 

color, religion, national origin, sex, 

marital status, or age (provided that the 

applicant has the capacity to contract); 

because all or part of the applicant’s 

income derives from any public 

assistance program; or because the 

applicant has in good faith exercised 

any right under the Consumer Credit 

Protection Act, 15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. 

(2) Civil Rights Compliance. 

Recipients of grants must comply with 

the Americans with Disabilities Act of 

1990, 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq., Title VI 

of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 

2000d et seq., and Section 504 of the 

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 

794. This may include collection and 

maintenance of data on the race, sex, 

and national origin of the recipient’s 

membership/ownership and employees. 

These data must be available to conduct 

compliance reviews in accordance with 

7 CFR 1901.204. 

(3) Environmental Analysis. 7 CFR 

part 1940, subpart G or successor 

regulation outlines environmental 

procedures and requirements for this 

subpart. Prospective applicants are 

advised to contact the Agency to 

determine environmental requirements 

as soon as practicable after they decide 

to pursue any form of financial 

assistance directly or indirectly 

available through the Agency. 

(4) Appeals. A person may seek a 

review of an Agency decision or appeal 

to the National Appeals Division in 

accordance with 7 CFR 4280.105. 

C. Reporting. Reporting requirements 

will be in accordance with the Grant 

Agreement, 7 CFR 4280.123(j), 7 CFR 

4280.143, 7 CFR 4280.196, as 

applicable. 

VII. Other Information 

A. Paperwork Reduction Act 

In accordance with the Paperwork 

Reduction Act of 1995, the information 

collection requirements associated with 

renewable energy system and energy 

efficiency improvement grants and 

guaranteed loans, as covered in this 

Notice, has been approved by the Office 

of Management and Budget (OMB) 

under OMB Control Number 0570–0050. 

The information collection requirements 

associated with energy audit and 

renewable energy development 

assistance grants have also been 

approved by OMB under OMB Control 

Number 0570–0059. 

B. Nondiscrimination Statement 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture 

(USDA) prohibits discrimination in all 

its programs and activities on the basis 

of race, color, national origin, age, 

disability, and where applicable, sex, 

marital status, familial status, parental 

status, religion, sexual orientation, 

genetic information, political beliefs, 

reprisal, or because of all or part of an 

individual’s income is derived from any 

public assistance program. (Not all 

prohibited bases apply to all programs.) 

Persons with disabilities who require 

alternative means for communication of 

program information (Braille, large 

print, audiotape, etc.) should contact 

USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720– 

2600 (voice and TDD). 

If you wish to file a Civil Rights 

program complaint of discrimination, 

complete the USDA Program 

Discrimination Complaint Form, found 

online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/

complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any 

USDA office, or call (866) 632–9992 to 

request the form. You may also write a 

letter containing all of the information 

requested in the form. Send your 

completed complaint form or letter to us 

by mail at U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Director, Office of 

Adjudication, 1400 Independence 

Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250– 

9410, by fax (202) 690–7442 or email at 

program.intake@usda.gov. Individuals 

who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have 

speech disabilities and you wish to file 

a program complaint please contact 

USDA through the Federal Relay 

Service at (800) 877–8339 or (800) 845– 

6136 (in Spanish). USDA is an equal 

opportunity provider and employer.’’ 

The full ‘‘Non-Discrimination 

Statement’’ is found at: http://

www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/

usdahome?navtype=FT&navid=Non_

Discrimination. 

Dated: December 18, 2014. 

Lillian E. Salerno, 

Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative 

Service. 

[FR Doc. 2014–30184 Filed 12–24–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

International Trade Administration 

[A–523–808] 

Certain Steel Nails From the Sultanate 

of Oman: Affirmative Preliminary 

Determination of Sales at Less Than 

Fair Value and Postponement of Final 

Determination 

AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, 

International Trade Administration, 

Department of Commerce. 

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce 

(‘‘Department’’) preliminarily 

determines that certain steel nails 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES