Rural Energy Improvement Act

To amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to reauthorize and improve the Rural Energy for America Program. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Rural Energy Improvement Act 2. Rural energy for America program Section 9007 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 ( 7 U.S.C. 8107 (1) in subsection (c)— (A) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) as paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), respectively; (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph: (2) Tiered application process In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall establish a three-tiered application, evaluation, and oversight process that varies based on the cost of the proposed project with the process most simplified for projects referred to in subparagraph (A), more comprehensive for projects referred to in subparagraph (B), and most comprehensive for projects referred to in subparagraph (C). The three tiers for such process shall be as follows: (A) Tier 1 Projects for which the cost of the project funded under this subsection is not more than $80,000. (B) Tier 2 Projects for which the cost of the project funded under this subsection is more than $80,000 but less than $200,000. (C) Tier 3 Projects for which the cost of the project funded under this subsection is $200,000 or more. ; (C) in paragraph (3) (as redesignated by subparagraph (A)), by striking paragraph (F) and inserting the following new subparagraph: (F) the natural resource conservation benefits of the renewable energy system; and ; (D) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)— (i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting in amounts not to exceed $100,000 per grant in the form of grants (ii) by striking subparagraph (C); and (E) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (6) Requirement In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall not require a second meter for on-farm residential portions of rural projects connected to a power grid. ; (2) in subsection (f)— (A) by striking Not later (1) In general Not later ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) Subsequent report Not later than 4 years after the date of the enactment of the Rural Energy Improvement Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on activities carried out under this section, including the outcomes achieved by projects funded under this section. ; and (3) in subsection (g)— (A) in paragraph (1)(D), by striking 2012 2012 and for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018 (B) in paragraph (3)— (i) by striking this section $25,000,000 this section— (A) $25,000,000 ; (ii) at the end of subparagraph (A) (as designated by clause (i)), by striking the period and inserting ; and (iii) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (B) $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018. .

Summary: Rural Energy Improvement Act - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 regarding the Rural Energy for America Program to: (1) extend the Program through FY2018, (2) create a tiered loan and grant application process that reflects project costs, and (3) prohibit requiring a second meter for on-farm residential portions of rural projects connected to the energy grid.