81 FR 32719 - Rural Energy Savings Program: Measurement, Verification, Training and Technical Assistance
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 100 (May 24, 2016)
Rural Utilities Service
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 100 (May 24, 2016)
| Page Range | 32719-32720 | |
| FR Document | 2016-12192 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 24, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 32719-32720] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-12192] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Rural Energy Savings Program: Measurement, Verification, Training and Technical Assistance AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of comment solicitation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Congress recently authorized the implementation of the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP) in section 6407 of subtitle E of title VI of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Public Law 107- 171; 116 Stat. 424). The purpose of RESP is to help rural families and small businesses achieve cost savings by providing loans to qualified consumers to implement durable cost-effective energy efficiency measures. The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or Agency) seeks public comments on carrying out paragraph (e) of section 6407 requiring RUS to establish a plan for measurement and verification of energy efficiency measures implemented and funded pursuant to RESP. Public comments are also invited on the additional requirement under paragraph (e) requiring RUS to develop a program to provide technical assistance and training to the employees of eligible entities carrying out the provisions of RESP. The public input requested on both these required purposes under the RESP Program will allow all affected stakeholders the opportunity to contribute to the development of agency procedures for implementing this statute. DATES: Written comments must be received by RUS no later than June 23, 2016. ADDRESSES: Submit comments, identified by docket number RUS-16- ELECTRIC-0028, by any of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery/Hand Delivery: Thomas P. Dickson, Acting Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, 1400 Independence Avenue, STOP 1522, Room 5159, Washington, DC 20250-1522. RUS will post all comments received without change, including any personal information that is included with the comment, on http://www.regulations.gov. Comments will be available for inspection online at http://www.regulations.gov and at the address listed above between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Titilayo Ogunyale, Senior Advisor, Office of the Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, Rural Development, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 1510, Room 5136-S, Washington DC 20250-1510; Telephone: (202) 720-0736; Email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background RUS provides long-term financing for the purpose of furnishing and improving electric service in rural areas. Eligible purposes for RUS loans also include assisting electric borrowers to implement demand- side management, energy efficiency and energy conservation programs, and on-grid and off-grid renewable energy systems. The Agency's traditional lending program provides RUS loans to eligible electric system borrowers. RESP differs from the Agency's traditional lending program in that it focuses on providing loans to eligible entities that agree to provide consumer loans to qualified consumers for energy efficiency measures which are undertaken on the consumer side of the meter. Current RUS borrowers are traditionally well-established utilities, most frequently rural electric cooperatives with a history of participation in the RUS program. Entities eligible to borrow from RUS and relend to consumers pursuant to RESP are not restricted to electric utilities per se; entities owned or controlled by current or former RUS borrowers and those entities described in 7 CFR 1710.10 may also participate in the RESP program. For purposes of this Notice, the statute contemplates that the Secretary, acting through RUS, will (1) establish a plan for the measurement and verification of the energy efficiency activities that are undertaken pursuant to the plans implemented with RUS funds, and (2) develop a program to provide technical assistance and training to the employees of eligible entities to carry out the responsibilities associated with implementing the required implementation plans for the use of loan funds. RUS is currently determining the best method for carrying out the RESP imposed requirement for establishing such an implementation plan and for crafting the related statement of work for the potential outside contractor that will be engaged to provide support services in this endeavor. RUS is also considering how best to meet its responsibilities under the statute to develop a program to provide technical assistance and training to the employees of eligible entities. Request for Comment Stakeholder input is vital to ensure that the implementation of the RESP program measurement and verification measures and related training will be valuable, cost effective and achieve the desired results. The Agency recognizes there is a risk that the cost of measurement and verification activities exceed the savings which are intended and expected from the energy efficiency measures. Also, the Agency notes that there are a number of quality training programs already in existence and available in the industry. Accordingly, RUS poses the following questions and discussion items to guide stakeholder comments. RUS also welcomes pertinent comments that are beyond the scope of the following questions. [[Page 32720]] Measurement of the Results of Energy Efficiency Investments There is no standard set of energy efficiency measures that RUS proposes to finance with RESP funds. Each entity that applies for a RESP loan will have its own list of energy efficiency measures and related implementation plan. The borrower is also required to measure and verify the results it achieves. The agency requests responses and comments as follows: 1. Is it reasonable to require that the borrower collect data before and after implementation of the energy efficiency measures as part of the measurement and verification of cost savings, or, in the alternative, can a borrower rely on ``deemed savings'' for certain measures? 2. If ``deemed savings'' calculations are determined to be reasonable, where can independent resources for this information be found? Best Entity To Measure the Results of Energy Efficiency Investments 1. Is it reasonable for the Agency to rely on representations made by the borrower regarding the results it achieves? 2. What parameters should the Agency impose on self-measurement and verification activities included in a borrower's implementation plan? Form of Training Program To Be Developed and Funded as Part of the RESP Program RUS has observed that there are a myriad of programs currently available in the market to train employees of eligible entities to carry out measurement and verification functions. RUS invites comments on the best approach for RUS to take to maximize the training results achieved with limited funds. 1. RUS is considering establishing a ``tuition reimbursement'' program whereby an outside contractor administers a tuition reimbursement fund to reimburse eligible entities for the costs incurred from sending an employee to a course provided by a qualified vendor as part of a recognized certification program. Please comment on how best to structure such a ``tuition reimbursement program.'' 2. RUS is contemplating setting up a circuit rider program to provide training and technical assistance on location for energy efficiency measures. The intent is to follow the model of a comparable circuit rider program funded by RUS as part of the agency's authorized activities in the water program. In the circuit rider program, experts visit rural water systems around the country and offer training to employees as well as technical assistance. These visits can be requested by a client in response to special needs or are part of a regular schedule that is worked out in advance. Please comment on the pros and cons of taking this approach. Needs Specific to Manufactured Housing Many traditional RUS electric utility borrowers have an above average number of customers residing in mobile homes or prefabricated dwellings. These dwellings present unique challenges in implementing energy efficiency measures. The agency requests responses and comments on the following questions: 1. What program requirements are recommended for new manufactured housing? Is it reasonable for a Borrower to undertake a rebate program for new buyers agreeing to purchase new homes with certain upgrades? How will a borrower best verify that the upgrades are installed and producing the results as marketed? 2. With respect to pre-existing mobile homes, what measurements can be taken to produce the most cost effective energy savings for the consumer? 3. A disproportionate number of the occupants of manufactured housing are renters. The owners may not necessarily have a financial incentive to invest in more efficient heating and cooling systems, causing the occupant to suffer very high energy bills. Are there programs which have successfully addressed this problem and what are the attributes of these programs? 4. Is there a way to best incorporate consumer financing of energy efficiency measures with pre-paid billing programs? The Scope of RUS Efforts There are limited funds for implementing the provision of RESP that contemplates RUS entering into one or more contracts for measurement, verification, training or technical assistance. As an initial matter, these funds are not expected to exceed ten percent of available appropriations. As part of the Agency's initial implementation of this portion of the statute, we anticipate that the scope of work cannot extend to all entities and all geographic areas needing these services. Accordingly, comments are invited on how to tailor the scope of the Agency's initial pilot implementation of this requirement in light of the limited funding. Dated: May 17, 2016. Brandon McBride, Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2016-12192 Filed 5-23-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 100 / Tuesday, May 24, 2016 / Notices 32719
(4) Discuss the 2016 schedule of RESP. Public comments are also invited consumer loans to qualified consumers
meetings. on the additional requirement under for energy efficiency measures which
The meeting is open to the public. paragraph (e) requiring RUS to develop are undertaken on the consumer side of
Anyone who would like to bring related a program to provide technical the meter.
matters to the attention of the assistance and training to the employees
Current RUS borrowers are
Committee may file written statements of eligible entities carrying out the
with the Committee staff before the traditionally well-established utilities,
provisions of RESP. The public input
meeting. The agenda will include time requested on both these required most frequently rural electric
for people to make oral statements of purposes under the RESP Program will cooperatives with a history of
three minutes or less. Individuals allow all affected stakeholders the participation in the RUS program.
wishing to make an oral statement opportunity to contribute to the Entities eligible to borrow from RUS and
should request in writing by June 2, development of agency procedures for relend to consumers pursuant to RESP
2016, to be scheduled on the agenda. implementing this statute. are not restricted to electric utilities per
Written comments and time requests for DATES: Written comments must be se; entities owned or controlled by
oral comments must be sent to Karen received by RUS no later than June 23, current or former RUS borrowers and
Kuentz, USDA Forest Service, Lake 2016. those entities described in 7 CFR
Tahoe Basin Management Unit, 35 ADDRESSES: Submit comments, 1710.10 may also participate in the
College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, identified by docket number RUS–16– RESP program.
California 96150, or by email at ELECTRIC–0028, by any of the For purposes of this Notice, the
kkuentz@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to following methods: statute contemplates that the Secretary,
530–543–2693. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// acting through RUS, will (1) establish a
Meeting Accommodations: If you are www.regulations.gov. Follow the plan for the measurement and
a person requiring reasonable instructions for submitting comments.
accommodation, please make requests verification of the energy efficiency
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery/ activities that are undertaken pursuant
in advance for sign language Hand Delivery: Thomas P. Dickson,
interpreting, assistive listening devices to the plans implemented with RUS
Acting Director, Program Development
or other reasonable accommodation for funds, and (2) develop a program to
and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural
access to the facility or proceedings by provide technical assistance and
Development, 1400 Independence
contacting the person listed in the training to the employees of eligible
Avenue, STOP 1522, Room 5159,
section titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION entities to carry out the responsibilities
Washington, DC 20250–1522.
CONTACT. All reasonable RUS will post all comments received associated with implementing the
accommodation requests are managed without change, including any personal required implementation plans for the
on a case by case basis. information that is included with the use of loan funds.
Dated: May 12, 2016. comment, on http:// RUS is currently determining the best
Jeff Marsolais, www.regulations.gov. Comments will be method for carrying out the RESP
Forest Supervisor. available for inspection online at http:// imposed requirement for establishing
www.regulations.gov and at the address such an implementation plan and for
[FR Doc. 2016–11942 Filed 5–23–16; 8:45 am]
listed above between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 crafting the related statement of work
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
p.m., Monday through Friday, except for the potential outside contractor that
holidays. will be engaged to provide support
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: services in this endeavor. RUS is also
Titilayo Ogunyale, Senior Advisor, considering how best to meet its
Rural Utilities Service Office of the Administrator, Rural responsibilities under the statute to
Utilities Service, Rural Development, develop a program to provide technical
Rural Energy Savings Program: United States Department of assistance and training to the employees
Measurement, Verification, Training Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue of eligible entities.
and Technical Assistance SW., STOP 1510, Room 5136–S,
Washington DC 20250–1510; Request for Comment
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of comment solicitation. Telephone: (202) 720–0736; Email: Stakeholder input is vital to ensure
Titilayo.Ogunyale@wdc.usda.gov. that the implementation of the RESP
SUMMARY: Congress recently authorized SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: program measurement and verification
the implementation of the Rural Energy
Background measures and related training will be
Savings Program (RESP) in section 6407
of subtitle E of title VI of the Farm RUS provides long-term financing for valuable, cost effective and achieve the
Security and Rural Investment Act of the purpose of furnishing and desired results. The Agency recognizes
2002 (Public Law 107–171; 116 Stat. improving electric service in rural areas. there is a risk that the cost of
424). The purpose of RESP is to help Eligible purposes for RUS loans also measurement and verification activities
rural families and small businesses include assisting electric borrowers to exceed the savings which are intended
achieve cost savings by providing loans implement demand-side management, and expected from the energy efficiency
to qualified consumers to implement energy efficiency and energy measures. Also, the Agency notes that
durable cost-effective energy efficiency conservation programs, and on-grid and there are a number of quality training
sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
measures. The Rural Utilities Service off-grid renewable energy systems. The programs already in existence and
(RUS or Agency) seeks public comments Agency’s traditional lending program available in the industry. Accordingly,
on carrying out paragraph (e) of section provides RUS loans to eligible electric RUS poses the following questions and
6407 requiring RUS to establish a plan system borrowers. RESP differs from the discussion items to guide stakeholder
for measurement and verification of Agency’s traditional lending program in comments. RUS also welcomes
energy efficiency measures that it focuses on providing loans to pertinent comments that are beyond the
implemented and funded pursuant to eligible entities that agree to provide scope of the following questions.
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![32720 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 100 / Tuesday, May 24, 2016 / Notices
Measurement of the Results of Energy training to employees as well as Dated: May 17, 2016.
Efficiency Investments technical assistance. These visits can be Brandon McBride,
There is no standard set of energy requested by a client in response to Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
efficiency measures that RUS proposes special needs or are part of a regular [FR Doc. 2016–12192 Filed 5–23–16; 8:45 am]
to finance with RESP funds. Each entity schedule that is worked out in advance. BILLING CODE P
that applies for a RESP loan will have Please comment on the pros and cons of
its own list of energy efficiency taking this approach.
measures and related implementation Needs Specific to Manufactured
plan. The borrower is also required to DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Housing
measure and verify the results it
achieves. The agency requests responses Many traditional RUS electric utility Submission for OMB Review;
and comments as follows: borrowers have an above average Comment Request
1. Is it reasonable to require that the number of customers residing in mobile
The Department of Commerce will
borrower collect data before and after homes or prefabricated dwellings. These
submit to the Office of Management and
implementation of the energy efficiency dwellings present unique challenges in
Budget (OMB) for clearance the
measures as part of the measurement implementing energy efficiency following proposal for collection of
and verification of cost savings, or, in measures. The agency requests information under the provisions of the
the alternative, can a borrower rely on responses and comments on the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
‘‘deemed savings’’ for certain measures? following questions: chapter 35).
2. If ‘‘deemed savings’’ calculations 1. What program requirements are
are determined to be reasonable, where Agency: U.S. Census Bureau.
recommended for new manufactured
can independent resources for this housing? Is it reasonable for a Borrower Title: Generic Clearance for
information be found? to undertake a rebate program for new Questionnaire Pretesting Research.
Best Entity To Measure the Results of buyers agreeing to purchase new homes OMB Control Number: 0607–0725.
Energy Efficiency Investments with certain upgrades? How will a Form Number(s): Various.
borrower best verify that the upgrades Type of Request: Regular.
1. Is it reasonable for the Agency to
are installed and producing the results
rely on representations made by the Number of Respondents: 5,500
as marketed?
borrower regarding the results it respondents annually.
achieves? 2. With respect to pre-existing mobile
Average Hours per Response: 1 hour.
2. What parameters should the homes, what measurements can be
Agency impose on self-measurement taken to produce the most cost effective Burden Hours: 5,500 hours annually.
and verification activities included in a energy savings for the consumer? Needs and Uses: The information
borrower’s implementation plan? 3. A disproportionate number of the collected in this program of developing
occupants of manufactured housing are and testing questionnaires will be used
Form of Training Program To Be by staff from the Census Bureau and
Developed and Funded as Part of the renters. The owners may not necessarily
have a financial incentive to invest in sponsoring agencies to evaluate and
RESP Program improve the quality of the data in the
more efficient heating and cooling
RUS has observed that there are a systems, causing the occupant to suffer surveys and censuses that are ultimately
myriad of programs currently available very high energy bills. Are there conducted.
in the market to train employees of programs which have successfully Affected Public: Individuals or
eligible entities to carry out addressed this problem and what are the households, businesses or other for
measurement and verification functions. attributes of these programs? profit, farms.
RUS invites comments on the best
4. Is there a way to best incorporate Frequency: TBD.
approach for RUS to take to maximize
the training results achieved with consumer financing of energy efficiency Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary.
limited funds. measures with pre-paid billing Legal Authority: Data collection for this
1. RUS is considering establishing a programs? project is authorized under the authorizing
‘‘tuition reimbursement’’ program The Scope of RUS Efforts legislation for the questionnaire being tested.
whereby an outside contractor This may be Title 13, Sections 131, 141, 161,
administers a tuition reimbursement There are limited funds for 181, 182, 193, and 301 for Census Bureau
sponsored surveys, and Title 13 and 15 for
fund to reimburse eligible entities for implementing the provision of RESP
surveys sponsored by other Federal agencies.
the costs incurred from sending an that contemplates RUS entering into one We do not now know what other titles will
employee to a course provided by a or more contracts for measurement, be referenced, since we do not know what
qualified vendor as part of a recognized verification, training or technical survey questionnaires will be pretested
certification program. Please comment assistance. As an initial matter, these during the course of the clearance.
on how best to structure such a ‘‘tuition funds are not expected to exceed ten
reimbursement program.’’ percent of available appropriations. As This information collection request
2. RUS is contemplating setting up a part of the Agency’s initial may be viewed at www.reginfo.gov.
circuit rider program to provide training implementation of this portion of the Follow the instructions to view
and technical assistance on location for statute, we anticipate that the scope of Department of Commerce collections
sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
energy efficiency measures. The intent work cannot extend to all entities and currently under review by OMB.
is to follow the model of a comparable all geographic areas needing these Written comments and
circuit rider program funded by RUS as services. Accordingly, comments are recommendations for the proposed
part of the agency’s authorized activities invited on how to tailor the scope of the information collection should be sent
in the water program. In the circuit rider Agency’s initial pilot implementation of within 30 days of publication of this
program, experts visit rural water this requirement in light of the limited notice to OIRA_Submission@
systems around the country and offer funding. omb.eop.gov or fax to (202) 395–5806.
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Document Created: 2016-05-24 05:21:03
Document Modified: 2016-05-24 05:21:03
| 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 of comment solicitation. | |
| Dates | Written comments must be received by RUS no later than June 23, 2016. | |
| Contact | Titilayo Ogunyale, Senior Advisor, Office of the Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, Rural Development, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 1510, Room 5136-S, Washington DC 20250-1510; Telephone: (202) 720-0736; Email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 32719 |
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