80 FR 77314 - Amendment to Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Rural Energy for America Program
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 239 (December 14, 2015)
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 239 (December 14, 2015)
| Page Range | 77314-77315 | |
| FR Document | 2015-31325 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 239 (Monday, December 14, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 77314-77315] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-31325] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Business-Cooperative Service Amendment to Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Rural Energy for America Program AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (Agency) published a notice in the Federal Register of October 6, 2015 (80 FR 60349), announcing the acceptance of applications for funds available under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016. The 2014 Farm Bill provides funding for the program for FY 2016. This notice provides an amendment to Section V. Application Review Information, subsection A. Evaluation Criteria, to allow points to be awarded if any of the criteria are met and to maintain consistency with other Rural Development programs on how poverty areas are defined. [[Page 77315]] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this Notice, please contact Kelley Oehler, USDA Rural Development, Energy Division, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 3225, Room 6870, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 720-6819. Email: [email protected] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The October 6, 2015, Notice identified on page 60353, in the third column toward the bottom of the page, under Section V. Application Review Information, subsection A. Evaluation Criteria, paragraph (1)(a) indicates an ``and'' between the words ``unserved'' and ``under-served populations'', and an ``and'' between subparagraphs (i) and (ii), as well as between subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of paragraph (1)(b), which is on page 60354 on the top of the first column. The ``and'' is being replaced with ``or'' in each of these locations to indicate the State Director and Administrator can award points if only one of the criterion is met. Further, on page 60354 of the Notice, under paragraph (1)(b)(i), which is on the top of the first column, the following language is inserted after the phrase ``living in poverty.'' The period is replaced with a comma and the phrase is being added ``a project is located in a community (village, town, city, or Census Designated Place) with median household income of 60 percent or less of the state's non-metropolitan median household income.'' The changes are being made to ensure REAP maintains consistency with other Agency programs on how poverty areas are defined for State Director and Administrator points and to not restrict points from being awarded if only one criteria is met. The following Summary of Changes apply to the October 6, 2015, Notice. Summary of Changes 1. In the third column on page 60353, Section V. Application Review Information, subsection A. Evaluation Criteria, paragraph (1)(a), the sentence is revised to read as follows: With regard to 7 CFR 4280.120(g)(3), which addresses applicants who are members of unserved or under-served populations, a project that is: 2. In the third column on page 60353, Section V. Application Review Information, subsection A. Evaluation Criteria, paragraph (1)(a)(i), the last sentence is revised to read as follows: In order to receive points, applicants must provide a statement in their applications to indicate that owners of the project have veteran status; or 3. In the first column on page 60354, paragraph (1)(b)(i)is revised to read as follows: (i) Located in rural areas with the lowest incomes where, according to the most recent 5-year American Community Survey data by the U.S. Census Bureau, tracts show that at least 20 percent of the population is living in poverty or a project is located in a community (village, town, city, or Census Designated Place) with a median household income of 60 percent or less of the State's non-metropolitan median household income. This will support the Secretary of Agriculture's priority of providing 20 percent of its funding by 2016 to these areas of need; or Nondiscrimination Statement The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, religion, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or complete the form 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 [email protected]. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities and wish to file either an Equal Employment Opportunity or program complaint, please contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish). Persons with disabilities who wish to file a program complaint, please see information above on how to contact us directly by mail or email. If you require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) please contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). Dated: December 8, 2015. Samuel H. Rikkers, Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service. [FR Doc. 2015-31325 Filed 12-11-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
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Notices Federal Register
Vol. 80, No. 239
Monday, December 14, 2015
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: population decline and job
contains documents other than rules or Nichelle Daniels, USDA, Rural deterioration, remain persistently poor,
proposed rules that are applicable to the Development, Business Programs, are experiencing trauma as a result of
public. Notices of hearings and investigations, Business and Industry Division, STOP natural disaster, or are experiencing
committee meetings, agency decisions and 3224, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., fundamental structural changes in its
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
petitions and applications and agency
Washington, DC 20250–3224, telephone economic base.
statements of organization and functions are (202) 720–0786, email nichelle.daniels@ The Agency has established that not
examples of documents appearing in this wdc.usda.gov. more than 12 percent of the Agency’s
section. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As set quarterly apportioned B&I guarantee
forth in 7 CFR 4279.107, the Agency has authority will be reserved for loan
the authority to charge an initial requests with a reduced fee, and not
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE guarantee fee and an annual renewal fee more than 15 percent of the Agency’s
for loans made under the B&I quarterly apportioned guarantee
Rural Business-Cooperative Service Guaranteed Loan Program. Pursuant to authority will be reserved for
that authority, the Agency is guaranteed loan requests with a
Guarantee Fee Rates for Guaranteed
establishing the renewal fee rate at one- guarantee percentage exceeding 80
Loans for Fiscal Year 2016; Maximum
half of 1 percent for the B&I Guaranteed percent. Once the respective quarterly
Portion of Guarantee Authority
Loan Program. This rate will apply to all limits are reached, all additional loans
Available for Fiscal Year 2016; Annual
loans obligated in FY 2016 that are for that quarter will be at the standard
Renewal Fee for Fiscal Year 2016
made under the B&I program. As fee and guarantee limits.
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative established in 7 CFR 4279.107(b)(1), the This action has been reviewed and
Service, USDA. amount of the fee on each guaranteed determined not to be a rule or regulation
ACTION: Notice. loan will be determined by multiplying as defined in Executive Order 12866, as
the fee rate by the outstanding principal amended by Executive Order 13258.
SUMMARY: This notice helps to improve loan balance as of December 31, Dated: December 1, 2015.
applicants’ awareness of the Guarantee multiplied by the percent of guarantee.
Fee Rates for Guaranteed Loans for Samuel H. Rikkers,
The Agency was authorized by the
Fiscal Year (FY) 2016; Maximum Acting Administrator, Rural Business-
2012 Appropriations Bill, and
Portion of Guarantee Authority Cooperative Service.
subsequent Appropriation Acts, to
Available for FY 2016; Annual Renewal [FR Doc. 2015–31300 Filed 12–11–15; 8:45 am]
charge a maximum of 3 percent for its
Fee for FY 2016 when applying for guarantee fee for FY 2012, 2013, 2014 BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P
guaranteed loans under the Business and 2015. It is the Agency’s expectation
and Industry (B&I) program. that the 2016 Appropriations Act will
The Agency was authorized by the DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
contain a provision to charge a
2012 Appropriations Bill, and maximum of 3 percent for its guarantee Rural Business-Cooperative Service
subsequent Appropriations Acts, to fee for FY 2016. As such, the guarantee
charge a maximum of 3 percent for its fee for FY 2016 will be 3 percent. Amendment to Notice of Solicitation of
guarantee fee for FY 2012, 2013, 2014 As set forth in 7 CFR 4279.107(a) and Applications for the Rural Energy for
and 2015. The guarantee fee for FY 2016 4279.119(b)(4), each fiscal year, the America Program
will be 3 percent. Agency shall establish a limit on the
The Agency has established that not maximum portion of B&I guarantee AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative
more than 12 percent of the Agency’s authority available for that FY that may Service, USDA.
quarterly apportioned B&I guarantee be used to guarantee loans with a ACTION: Notice.
authority will be reserved for loan reduced guarantee fee or guaranteed
requests with a reduced fee, and not loans with a guarantee percentage SUMMARY: The Rural Business-
more than 15 percent of the Agency’s exceeding 80 percent. Cooperative Service (Agency) published
quarterly apportioned guarantee Allowing a reduced guarantee fee or a notice in the Federal Register of
authority will be reserved for exceeding the 80 percent guarantee on October 6, 2015 (80 FR 60349),
guaranteed loan requests with a certain B&I guaranteed loans that meet announcing the acceptance of
guarantee percentage exceeding 80 the conditions set forth in 7 CFR applications for funds available under
percent. Once the respective quarterly 4279.107 and 4279.119 will increase the the Rural Energy for America Program
limits are reached, all additional loans Agency’s ability to focus guarantee (REAP) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016. The
for that quarter will be at the standard assistance on projects that the Agency 2014 Farm Bill provides funding for the
fee and guarantee limits. has found particularly meritorious. For program for FY 2016. This notice
The Agency is establishing the
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
reduced guarantee fees, the borrower’s provides an amendment to Section V.
renewal fee rate at one-half of 1 percent business must support value-added Application Review Information,
for the B&I Guaranteed Loan Program. agriculture and result in farmers subsection A. Evaluation Criteria, to
This rate will apply to all loans benefiting financially or must be a high allow points to be awarded if any of the
obligated in FY 2016 that are made impact business development criteria are met and to maintain
under the B&I program. investment as defined in 7 CFR consistency with other Rural
DATES: Effective date: December 14, 4279.155(b)(5) and be located in rural Development programs on how poverty
2015. communities that experience long-term areas are defined.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 239 / Monday, December 14, 2015 / Notices 77315
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For 3. In the first column on page 60354, print, audiotape, etc.) please contact
information about this Notice, please paragraph (1)(b)(i)is revised to read as USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–
contact Kelley Oehler, USDA Rural follows: 2600 (voice and TDD).
Development, Energy Division, 1400 (i) Located in rural areas with the Dated: December 8, 2015.
Independence Avenue SW., Stop 3225, lowest incomes where, according to the
Samuel H. Rikkers,
Room 6870, Washington, DC 20250. most recent 5-year American
Community Survey data by the U.S. Acting Administrator, Rural Business-
Telephone: (202) 720–6819. Email: Cooperative Service.
Kelley.oehler@wdc.usda.gov Census Bureau, tracts show that at least
20 percent of the population is living in [FR Doc. 2015–31325 Filed 12–11–15; 8:45 am]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
poverty or a project is located in a BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P
October 6, 2015, Notice identified on
community (village, town, city, or
page 60353, in the third column toward
Census Designated Place) with a median
the bottom of the page, under Section V. ARCHITECTURAL AND
household income of 60 percent or less
Application Review Information, TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS
of the State’s non-metropolitan median
subsection A. Evaluation Criteria, household income. This will support COMPLIANCE BOARD
paragraph (1)(a) indicates an ‘‘and’’ the Secretary of Agriculture’s priority of
between the words ‘‘unserved’’ and providing 20 percent of its funding by Meetings
‘‘under-served populations’’, and an 2016 to these areas of need; or
‘‘and’’ between subparagraphs (i) and AGENCY: Architectural and
(ii), as well as between subparagraphs (i) Nondiscrimination Statement Transportation Barriers Compliance
and (ii) of paragraph (1)(b), which is on Board.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture
page 60354 on the top of the first (USDA) prohibits discrimination against ACTION: Notice of meetings.
column. The ‘‘and’’ is being replaced its customers, employees, and
with ‘‘or’’ in each of these locations to SUMMARY: The Architectural and
applicants for employment on the basis Transportation Barriers Compliance
indicate the State Director and of race, color, national origin, age,
Administrator can award points if only Board (Access Board) plans to hold its
disability, sex, gender identity, religion, regular committee and Board meetings
one of the criterion is met. reprisal and where applicable, political in Washington, DC, Tuesday and
Further, on page 60354 of the Notice, beliefs, marital status, familial or Wednesday, January 12–13, 2016 at the
under paragraph (1)(b)(i), which is on parental status, religion, sexual times and location listed below.
the top of the first column, the following orientation, or all or part of an
DATES: The schedule of events is as
language is inserted after the phrase individual’s income is derived from any
‘‘living in poverty.’’ The period is public assistance program, or protected follows:
replaced with a comma and the phrase genetic information in employment or Tuesday, January 12, 2016
is being added ‘‘a project is located in in any program or activity conducted or
10:30–11:30 p.m. Technical Programs
a community (village, town, city, or funded by the Department. (Not all
Committee
Census Designated Place) with median prohibited bases will apply to all 11:30–Noon Planning and Evaluation
household income of 60 percent or less programs and/or employment Committee
of the state’s non-metropolitan median activities.) 1:30–2:00 p.m. Ad Hoc Committee on
household income.’’ If you wish to file a Civil Rights
Design Guidance
The changes are being made to ensure program complaint of discrimination, 2:00–2:30 Budget Committee
REAP maintains consistency with other complete the USDA Program 2:30–4:00 Ad Hoc Committee on
Agency programs on how poverty areas Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), Information and Communication
are defined for State Director and found online at http://www.ascr.usda. Technology (Closed)
Administrator points and to not restrict gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or
points from being awarded if only one complete the form at any USDA office, Wednesday, January 13, 2016
criteria is met. or call (866) 632–9992 to request the 9:30–11:00 a.m. Ad Hoc Committee on
The following Summary of Changes form. You may also write a letter Frontier Issues
apply to the October 6, 2015, Notice. containing all of the information 11:00–Noon Architectural Barriers Act
requested in the form. Send your Compliance Program
Summary of Changes completed complaint form or letter to us 1:30–3:00 Board Meeting
1. In the third column on page 60353, by mail at U.S. Department of ADDRESSES: Meetings will be held at the
Section V. Application Review Agriculture, Director, Office of Access Board Conference Room, 1331 F
Information, subsection A. Evaluation Adjudication, 1400 Independence Street NW., Suite 800, Washington, DC
Criteria, paragraph (1)(a), the sentence is Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250– 20004.
revised to read as follows: 9410, by fax (202) 690–7442, or email at
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
program.intake@usda.gov.
With regard to 7 CFR 4280.120(g)(3), Individuals who are deaf, hard of further information regarding the
which addresses applicants who are hearing, or have speech disabilities and meetings, please contact David Capozzi,
members of unserved or under-served wish to file either an Equal Employment Executive Director, (202) 272–0010
populations, a project that is: Opportunity or program complaint, (voice); (202) 272–0054 (TTY).
2. In the third column on page 60353, please contact USDA through the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: At the
Section V. Application Review Board meeting scheduled on the
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339
Information, subsection A. Evaluation or (800) 845–6136 (in Spanish). afternoon of Wednesday, January 13,
Criteria, paragraph (1)(a)(i), the last Persons with disabilities who wish to 2016, the Access Board will consider
sentence is revised to read as follows: file a program complaint, please see the following agenda items:
In order to receive points, applicants information above on how to contact us • Approval of the draft November 10,
must provide a statement in their directly by mail or email. If you require 2015 meeting minutes (vote)
applications to indicate that owners of alternative means of communication for • Ad Hoc Committee Reports: Design
the project have veteran status; or program information (e.g., Braille, large Guidance; Frontier Issues; and
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:36 Dec 11, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\14DEN1.SGM 14DEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_77553/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2015-12-14 13:47:46
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 13:47:46
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Contact | For information about this Notice, please contact Kelley Oehler, USDA Rural Development, Energy Division, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 3225, Room 6870, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 720-6819. Email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 77314 |
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