81_FR_48523 81 FR 48381 - Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Repowering Assistance Program

81 FR 48381 - Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Repowering Assistance Program

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 142 (July 25, 2016)

Page Range48381-48384
FR Document2016-17485

This Notice announces the solicitation of applications for funds available under the Repowering Assistance Program to encourage the use of renewable biomass as a replacement fuel source for fossil fuels used to provide process heat or power in the operation of eligible biorefineries. To be eligible for payments, biorefineries must have been in existence on or before June 18, 2008.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 142 (Monday, July 25, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 142 (Monday, July 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48381-48384]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17485]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Repowering 
Assistance Program

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service and Rural Utilities Service, 
USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This Notice announces the solicitation of applications for 
funds available under the Repowering Assistance Program to encourage 
the use of renewable biomass as a replacement fuel source for fossil 
fuels used to provide process heat or power in the operation of 
eligible biorefineries. To be eligible for payments, biorefineries must 
have been in existence on or before June 18, 2008.

DATES: Applications will be accepted from July 25, 2016 through October 
24,

[[Page 48382]]

2016. Applications received after October 24, 2016, regardless of their 
postmark, will not receive consideration. If the actual deadline falls 
on a weekend or a federally-observed holiday, the deadline is the next 
Federal business day.

ADDRESSES: Applications and forms may be obtained from:
     USDA, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Energy Division, 
Attention: Repowering Assistance Program, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
Room 6901-S, STOP 3225, Washington, DC 20250-3225.
     Agency Web site: http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eForms. 
Follow instructions for obtaining the application and forms. 
Application materials can also be obtained from the Agency's Web site. 
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/repowering-assistance-program.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information on this 
payment program, please contact Fred Petok, USDA, Rural Business-
Cooperative Service, Energy Division, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
Room 6901-S, STOP 3225, Washington, DC 20250-3225. Telephone: 202-690-
0784. Email: frederick.petok@wdc.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
information collection requirements associated with the Section 9004 
Repowering Assistance Program, as covered in this Notice, have been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control 
Number 0570-0066.

Overview

    Federal Agency Name: Rural Business-Cooperative Service (an agency 
of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the Rural 
Development mission area).
    Solicitation Opportunity Title: Repowering Assistance Program.
    Announcement Type: Notification of Solicitation of Applications.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number. The CFDA 
number for this Notice is 10.866.
    Dates: To receive funding consideration, applications must be 
received in the USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Energy 
Division no later than 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on October 24, 
2016. Any application received after 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on 
October 24, 2016, will not compete for funds announced in this Notice.
    Availability of Notice and Rule. This Notice and the interim rule 
for the Repowering Assistance Program are available on the USDA Rural 
Development Web site at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/repowering-assistance-program and at http://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    A. Purpose of the Program. The purpose of this program is to 
provide financial incentives to biorefineries in existence on or before 
June 18, 2008 (the date of the enactment of the Food, Conservation, and 
Energy Act of 2008) to replace the use of fossil fuels used to produce 
heat or power at their facilities by installing new systems that use 
renewable biomass, or to produce new energy from renewable biomass.
    B. Statutory Authority. This Program is authorized under 7 U.S.C. 
8104. Regulations are contained in 7 CFR part 4288, subpart A and are 
incorporated by reference.
    C. Definition of Terms. The definitions applicable to this Notice 
are published at 7 CFR 4288.2.
    D. Application Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and award 
applications received in response to this Notice based on the 
provisions found in 7 CFR part 4288, subpart A.

II. Award Information

    A. Available Funds. This Notice is a solicitation for applications 
that will be funded using budget authority provided by the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79) and available under current law.
    B. Number of Payments. The number of payments will depend on the 
number of participating biorefineries.
    C. Amount of Payments. The Agency will determine the amount of 
payments to be made to a biorefinery in accordance with its regulations 
at 7 CFR part 4288, subpart A, which take into consideration the 
percentage reduction in fossil fuel used by the biorefinery (including 
the quantity of fossil fuels a renewable biomass system is replacing) 
and the cost and cost-effectiveness of the renewable biomass system.
    D. Payment Limitations. There is no minimum payment amount that an 
individual biorefinery can receive. The maximum amount an individual 
biorefinery can receive under this Notice is 50 percent of total 
eligible project costs up to a maximum of $1 million.
    E. Project Costs. Eligible project costs, in accordance with 7 CFR 
4288.11, will be only for project related construction costs for 
repowering improvements associated with the equipment, installation, 
engineering, design, site plans, associated professional fees, permits 
and financing fees. Any project costs incurred by the applicant prior 
to application for payment assistance under this Notice will be 
ineligible for payment assistance.
    F. Type of Instrument. Payment agreement.

III. Eligibility Information

    A. Eligible Applicants. Applicant eligibility requirements are 
found in 7 CFR 4288.10. Among other things, to be eligible for this 
program, an applicant must be a biorefinery that has been in existence 
on or before June 18, 2008, and will utilize renewable biomass to 
replace fossil fuel for repowering the biorefinery.
    B. Ineligible Projects. In accordance with 7 CFR 4288.10(b), a 
project is not eligible under this Notice if it is using feedstocks for 
repowering that are feed grain commodities that received benefits under 
Title I of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. Projects 
that do not score at least 5 points under the 7 CFR 4288.21(b) process, 
the minimum number of points for cost-effectiveness and percentage of 
reduction of fossil fuel used, will be deemed ineligible.

IV. Multiple Submissions

    In accordance with 7 CFR 4288.10(a)(2), corporations and entities 
with more than one biorefinery can submit an application for only one 
of their biorefineries. However, if a corporation or entity has 
multiple biorefineries located at the same location, the entity may 
submit an application that covers such biorefineries provided the heat 
and power used in the multiple biorefineries are centrally produced.

V. Scoring Advice

    A. Cost Effectiveness. To be eligible and meet the minimum scoring 
criteria, the project must have a simple payback period of no more than 
10 years (i.e., must be awarded at least five points for cost-
effectiveness under 7 CFR 4288.21(b)(1)).
    B. Percentage of Reduction of Fossil Fuel Used. To be eligible and 
meet the minimum scoring criteria, the applicant must demonstrate that 
the repowering project has an anticipated annual reduction in fossil 
fuel use of at least 40 percent (i.e., the application must be awarded 
at least five points for percentage of reduction of fossil fuel used 
under 7 CFR 4288.21(b)(2)).

VI. Project Financing

    The applicant must demonstrate that it has sufficient funds or has 
obtained commitments for sufficient funds to complete the repowering 
project, taking

[[Page 48383]]

into account the amount of the payment request in the application.

VII. Application and Submission Information

    A. To Request Applications. Application forms are available from 
the USDA Rural Development State Office, State Energy Coordinator, and 
the Agency Web site found at http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov. Follow 
instructions on the Agency Web site for obtaining the application and 
forms. http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/repowering-assistance-program.
    B. Content and Form of Submission. Applicants must submit a signed 
original and one copy of an application containing all the information 
specified in 7 CFR 4288.20(b) and (c).
    C. Submission Dates and Times. Applications to participate in this 
program must be submitted between July 25, 2016 and October 24, 2016. 
Applications received after 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time October 24, 
2016, regardless of their postmark, will not be considered by the 
Agency for funding consideration.
    D. Where to Submit. Applications shall be sent to the Repowering 
Assistance Program at 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 6901-S, 
Washington DC, 20150. Please note that regular mail delivery, or 
courier delivery must be coordinated with the Agency in order for the 
proposal to be delivered by the date.

VIII. Application Review and Selection Information

    The Agency will evaluate projects based on the cost, cost-
effectiveness, and capacity of projects to reduce fossil fuels used.
    A. Review. The Agency will review applications submitted under this 
Notice in accordance with 7 CFR 4288.21(a).
    B. Scoring. The Agency will score applications submitted under this 
Notice in accordance with 7 CFR 4288.21(b).
    C. Ranking and Selecting Applications. The Agency will consider the 
score an application has received compared to the scores of other 
applications, with higher scoring applications receiving first 
consideration for payments. Using the application scoring criteria 
point values specified in 7 CFR 4288.21, the Agency will select 
applications for payments.
    D. Availability of Funds. As applications are funded, if 
insufficient funds remain to pay the next highest scoring application, 
the Agency may elect to pay a lower scoring application. Before this 
occurs, the Agency will provide the applicant of the higher scoring 
application the opportunity to reduce the amount of its payment request 
to the amount of funds available. If the applicant agrees to lower its 
payment request, it must certify that the purposes of the project can 
be met, and the Agency must determine the project is feasible at the 
lower amount.

IX. Administration Information

    A. Notice of Eligibility. The provisions of 7 CFR 4288.23 apply to 
this Notice. These provisions include notifying an applicant determined 
to be eligible for participation and notifying an applicant determined 
to be ineligible, including their application score and ranking and the 
score necessary to qualify for payments.
    B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements.
    (1) Review or Appeal Rights. A person may seek a review of an 
Agency adverse decision or appeal to the National Appeals Division as 
provided in 7 CFR 4288.3.
    (2) Compliance With Other Laws and Regulations. The provisions of 7 
CFR 4288.4 apply to this Notice, which includes requiring participating 
biorefineries to be in compliance with other applicable Federal, State, 
and local laws.
    (3) Oversight and Monitoring. The provisions of 7 CFR 4288.5(a) and 
(b) apply to this Notice, which includes the right of the Agency to 
verify all payment applications and subsequent payments and the 
requirement that each biorefinery must make available, at one place at 
all reasonable times for examination by the Agency, all books, 
documents, papers, receipts, payroll records, and bills of sale 
adequate to identify the purposes for which, and the manner in which, 
funds were expended for all eligible project costs for a period of not 
less than 3 years from the final payment date.
    (4) Reporting. Upon completion of the repowering project funded 
under this Notice, the biorefinery must submit a report, in accordance 
with 7 CFR 4288.5(c), to the Agency annually for the first 3 years 
after completion of the project. The reports are to be submitted as of 
October 1 of each year.
    (5) Payment Provisions. Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 payments will be made 
according to the provisions specified in 7 CFR 4288.13(b) and (c) and 
in 7 CFR 4288.24.
    (6) Exception Authority. The provisions of 7 CFR 4288.7 apply to 
this Notice.
    (7) Succession and Control of Facilities and Production. The 
provisions of 7 CFR 4288.25 apply to this Notice.
    C. Environmental Review. All recipients under this Notice are 
subject to the requirements of 7 CFR part 1970.

X. Agency Contacts

    For further information about this Notice, please contact Fred 
Petok, USDA, Rural Business--Cooperative Service, Energy Division, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Room 6868, STOP 3225, Washington, DC 20250-
3225. Telephone: 202-690-0784. Email: frederick.petok@wdc.usda.gov.

XI. Nondiscrimination Statement

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination 
against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the 
bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender 
identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, 
marital status, familial or parental status, 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 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 either an EEO 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 by mail directly or 
by 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).


[[Page 48384]]


    Dated: July 18, 2016.
Samuel H. Rikkers,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-17485 Filed 7-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P



                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 142 / Monday, July 25, 2016 / Notices                                                  48381

                                                    (k) If the Project uses a particular                   has an active Federal award or an                     bases will apply to all programs and/or
                                                  technology, system, or process that is                   application under consideration by the                employment activities.)
                                                  not currently operating at commercial                    Agency. Applicants must provide a                        If you wish to file a Civil Rights
                                                  scale as of October 1 of the fiscal year                 DUNS number for each application                      program complaint of discrimination,
                                                  for which the funding is available;                      submitted to the Agency.                              complete the USDA Program
                                                  October 1, 2016, 5 points will be                                                                              Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF),
                                                                                                           X. Administration Information                         found online at http://
                                                  awarded.
                                                    (l) The Administrator can award up to                     A. Notifications. The Agency will                  www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_
                                                  a maximum of 10 bonus points:                            notify, in writing, Lenders whose Phase               cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call
                                                    (1) To ensure, to the extent practical,                1 applications have scored highest and                (866) 632–9992 to request the form. You
                                                  there is diversity in the types of Projects              will invite them to submit Phase 2                    may also write a letter containing all of
                                                  approved for loan guarantees to ensure                   applications. If the Agency determines it             the information requested in the form.
                                                  as wide a range as possible technologies,                is unable to guarantee any particular                 Send your completed complaint form or
                                                  products, and approaches are assisted in                 loan, the Lender will be informed in                  letter to us by mail at U.S. Department
                                                  the program portfolio; and                               writing. Such notification will include               of Agriculture, Director, Office of
                                                    (2) To applications that promote                       the reason(s) for denial of the guarantee.            Adjudication, 1400 Independence
                                                  partnerships and other activities that                      B. Administrative and National Policy              Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250–
                                                  assist in the development of new and                     Requirements.                                         9410, by fax (202) 690–7442 or email at
                                                  emerging technologies for the                               1. Review or Appeal Rights. A person               program.intake@usda.gov.
                                                  development of Renewable chemicals                       may seek a review of an Agency                           Individuals who are deaf, hard of
                                                  and other biobased outputs of                            decision or appeal to the National                    hearing or have speech disabilities and
                                                  biorefineries, so as to, as applicable,                  Appeals Division in accordance with 7                 you wish to file either an EEO or
                                                  promote resource conservation, public                    CFR 4279.204.                                         program complaint please contact
                                                  health, and the environment; diversify                      2. Exception Authority. The                        USDA through the Federal Relay
                                                  markets for agricultural and forestry                    provisions specified in 7 CFR 4279.203                Service at (800) 877–8339 or (800) 845–
                                                  products and agriculture waste material;                 and 7 CFR 4287.303 apply to this                      6136 (in Spanish).
                                                  and create jobs and enhance the                          Notice.                                                  Persons with disabilities, who wish to
                                                  economic development of the rural                           C. Environmental Review. The Agency                file a program complaint, please see
                                                  economy. No additional information                       will review all applicant proposals that              information above on how to contact us
                                                  regarding partnerships is detailed in this               may qualify for assistance under this                 by mail directly or by email. If you
                                                  Notice.                                                  section in accordance with 7 CFR part                 require alternative means of
                                                                                                           1970, Environmental Policies and                      communication for program information
                                                  IX. General Program Information                          Procedures. The environmental review                  (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.)
                                                     A. Loan Origination. Lenders seeking                  for projects that score high enough will              please contact USDA’s TARGET Center
                                                  a loan guarantee under this Notice must                  be submitted during the Phase 2                       at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD).
                                                  comply with all of the provisions found                  application process and must be
                                                                                                                                                                   Dated: July 18, 2016.
                                                  in 7 CFR 4279, subpart C.                                conducted in accordance with 7 CFR
                                                     B. Loan Processing. The Agency will                   part 1970, Environmental Policies and                 Samuel H. Rikkers,
                                                  process loans guaranteed under this                      Procedures.                                           Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative
                                                  Notice in accordance with the                                                                                  Service.
                                                  provisions specified in 7 CFR 4279.260                   XI. Agency Contacts                                   [FR Doc. 2016–17486 Filed 7–22–16; 8:45 am]
                                                  through 4279.290.                                          For general questions about this                    BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P
                                                     C. Evaluation of Applications and                     Notice, please contact Todd Hubbell,
                                                  Awards. Awards under this Notice will                    Rural Business–Cooperative Service,
                                                  be made on a competitive basis;                          Energy Division, Biorefinery, Renewable               DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
                                                  submission of an application neither                     Chemical, and Biobased Product
                                                  reserves funding nor ensures funding.                    Manufacturing Assistance Program, U.S.                Rural Business-Cooperative Service
                                                  The Agency will evaluate each                            Department of Agriculture, 1400                       Notice of Solicitation of Applications
                                                  application received in the USDA Rural                   Independence Avenue SW., Mail Stop                    for the Repowering Assistance
                                                  Business–Cooperative Service, Energy                     3225, Washington, DC 20250–3225.                      Program
                                                  Division, select Phase 1 applications in                 Telephone: 202–690–2516. Email:
                                                  accordance with 7 CFR 4279.267 to                        Todd.Hubbell@wdc.usda.gov.                            AGENCY:  Rural Business-Cooperative
                                                  invite submittal of Phase 2 applications                                                                       Service and Rural Utilities Service,
                                                                                                           Nondiscrimination Statement
                                                  and will make awards using the                                                                                 USDA.
                                                  provisions specified in 7 CFR 4279.278.                     The U.S. Department of Agriculture                 ACTION: Notice.
                                                     D. Guaranteed Loan Servicing. The                     (USDA) prohibits discrimination against
                                                  Agency will service loans guaranteed                     its customers, employees, and                         SUMMARY:   This Notice announces the
                                                  under this Notice in accordance with                     applicants for employment on the bases                solicitation of applications for funds
                                                  the provisions specified in 7 CFR                        of race, color, national origin, age,                 available under the Repowering
                                                  4287.301 through 4287.399.                               disability, sex, gender identity, religion,           Assistance Program to encourage the use
                                                     E. System for Award Management                        reprisal, and where applicable, political             of renewable biomass as a replacement
                                                  (SAM) and Dun and Bradstreet Data                        beliefs, marital status, familial or                  fuel source for fossil fuels used to
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                                                  Universal Numbering System (DUNS)                        parental status, sexual orientation, or all           provide process heat or power in the
                                                  Registration. Unless exempt under 2                      or part of an individual’s income is                  operation of eligible biorefineries. To be
                                                  CFR 25.110, the Applicant must be                        derived from any public assistance                    eligible for payments, biorefineries must
                                                  registered in the SAM prior to                           program, or protected genetic                         have been in existence on or before June
                                                  submitting an application and maintain                   information in employment or in any                   18, 2008.
                                                  an active SAM registration with current                  program or activity conducted or funded               DATES: Applications will be accepted
                                                  information at all times during which it                 by the Department. (Not all prohibited                from July 25, 2016 through October 24,


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:27 Jul 22, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00007   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\25JYN1.SGM   25JYN1


                                                  48382                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 142 / Monday, July 25, 2016 / Notices

                                                  2016. Applications received after                        Repowering Assistance Program are                     permits and financing fees. Any project
                                                  October 24, 2016, regardless of their                    available on the USDA Rural                           costs incurred by the applicant prior to
                                                  postmark, will not receive                               Development Web site at http://                       application for payment assistance
                                                  consideration. If the actual deadline                    www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/                    under this Notice will be ineligible for
                                                  falls on a weekend or a federally-                       repowering-assistance-program and at                  payment assistance.
                                                  observed holiday, the deadline is the                    http://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom.                        F. Type of Instrument. Payment
                                                  next Federal business day.                                                                                     agreement.
                                                                                                           I. Funding Opportunity Description
                                                  ADDRESSES: Applications and forms may                                                                          III. Eligibility Information
                                                  be obtained from:                                           A. Purpose of the Program. The
                                                     • USDA, Rural Business-Cooperative                    purpose of this program is to provide                    A. Eligible Applicants. Applicant
                                                  Service, Energy Division, Attention:                     financial incentives to biorefineries in              eligibility requirements are found in 7
                                                  Repowering Assistance Program, 1400                      existence on or before June 18, 2008 (the             CFR 4288.10. Among other things, to be
                                                  Independence Avenue SW., Room                            date of the enactment of the Food,                    eligible for this program, an applicant
                                                  6901–S, STOP 3225, Washington, DC                        Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008)                 must be a biorefinery that has been in
                                                  20250–3225.                                              to replace the use of fossil fuels used to            existence on or before June 18, 2008,
                                                     • Agency Web site: http://                            produce heat or power at their facilities             and will utilize renewable biomass to
                                                  forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eForms. Follow                    by installing new systems that use                    replace fossil fuel for repowering the
                                                  instructions for obtaining the                           renewable biomass, or to produce new                  biorefinery.
                                                  application and forms. Application                       energy from renewable biomass.                           B. Ineligible Projects. In accordance
                                                  materials can also be obtained from the                     B. Statutory Authority. This Program               with 7 CFR 4288.10(b), a project is not
                                                  Agency’s Web site. http://                               is authorized under 7 U.S.C. 8104.                    eligible under this Notice if it is using
                                                  www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/                       Regulations are contained in 7 CFR part               feedstocks for repowering that are feed
                                                  repowering-assistance-program.                           4288, subpart A and are incorporated by               grain commodities that received benefits
                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For                     reference.                                            under Title I of the Food, Conservation,
                                                  further information on this payment                         C. Definition of Terms. The                        and Energy Act of 2008. Projects that do
                                                  program, please contact Fred Petok,                      definitions applicable to this Notice are             not score at least 5 points under the 7
                                                  USDA, Rural Business-Cooperative                         published at 7 CFR 4288.2.                            CFR 4288.21(b) process, the minimum
                                                  Service, Energy Division, 1400                              D. Application Awards. The Agency                  number of points for cost-effectiveness
                                                  Independence Avenue SW., Room                            will review, evaluate, and award                      and percentage of reduction of fossil
                                                  6901–S, STOP 3225, Washington, DC                        applications received in response to this             fuel used, will be deemed ineligible.
                                                  20250–3225. Telephone: 202–690–0784.                     Notice based on the provisions found in
                                                                                                           7 CFR part 4288, subpart A.                           IV. Multiple Submissions
                                                  Email: frederick.petok@wdc.usda.gov.
                                                                                                                                                                   In accordance with 7 CFR
                                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                               II. Award Information                                 4288.10(a)(2), corporations and entities
                                                  Paperwork Reduction Act                                     A. Available Funds. This Notice is a               with more than one biorefinery can
                                                    In accordance with the Paperwork                       solicitation for applications that will be            submit an application for only one of
                                                  Reduction Act of 1995, the information                   funded using budget authority provided                their biorefineries. However, if a
                                                  collection requirements associated with                  by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L.              corporation or entity has multiple
                                                  the Section 9004 Repowering Assistance                   113–79) and available under current                   biorefineries located at the same
                                                  Program, as covered in this Notice, have                 law.                                                  location, the entity may submit an
                                                  been approved by the Office of                              B. Number of Payments. The number                  application that covers such
                                                  Management and Budget (OMB) under                        of payments will depend on the number                 biorefineries provided the heat and
                                                  OMB Control Number 0570–0066.                            of participating biorefineries.                       power used in the multiple biorefineries
                                                                                                              C. Amount of Payments. The Agency                  are centrally produced.
                                                  Overview                                                 will determine the amount of payments
                                                                                                           to be made to a biorefinery in                        V. Scoring Advice
                                                     Federal Agency Name: Rural
                                                  Business-Cooperative Service (an                         accordance with its regulations at 7 CFR                A. Cost Effectiveness. To be eligible
                                                  agency of the United States Department                   part 4288, subpart A, which take into                 and meet the minimum scoring criteria,
                                                  of Agriculture (USDA) in the Rural                       consideration the percentage reduction                the project must have a simple payback
                                                  Development mission area).                               in fossil fuel used by the biorefinery                period of no more than 10 years (i.e.,
                                                     Solicitation Opportunity Title:                       (including the quantity of fossil fuels a             must be awarded at least five points for
                                                  Repowering Assistance Program.                           renewable biomass system is replacing)                cost-effectiveness under 7 CFR
                                                     Announcement Type: Notification of                    and the cost and cost-effectiveness of                4288.21(b)(1)).
                                                  Solicitation of Applications.                            the renewable biomass system.                           B. Percentage of Reduction of Fossil
                                                     Catalog of Federal Domestic                              D. Payment Limitations. There is no                Fuel Used. To be eligible and meet the
                                                  Assistance (CFDA) Number. The CFDA                       minimum payment amount that an                        minimum scoring criteria, the applicant
                                                  number for this Notice is 10.866.                        individual biorefinery can receive. The               must demonstrate that the repowering
                                                     Dates: To receive funding                             maximum amount an individual                          project has an anticipated annual
                                                  consideration, applications must be                      biorefinery can receive under this                    reduction in fossil fuel use of at least 40
                                                  received in the USDA Rural Business-                     Notice is 50 percent of total eligible                percent (i.e., the application must be
                                                  Cooperative Service, Energy Division no                  project costs up to a maximum of $1                   awarded at least five points for
                                                  later than 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight                    million.
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                                                                                                                                                                 percentage of reduction of fossil fuel
                                                  Time on October 24, 2016. Any                               E. Project Costs. Eligible project costs,          used under 7 CFR 4288.21(b)(2)).
                                                  application received after 4:30 p.m.                     in accordance with 7 CFR 4288.11, will
                                                  Eastern Daylight Time on October 24,                     be only for project related construction              VI. Project Financing
                                                  2016, will not compete for funds                         costs for repowering improvements                        The applicant must demonstrate that
                                                  announced in this Notice.                                associated with the equipment,                        it has sufficient funds or has obtained
                                                     Availability of Notice and Rule. This                 installation, engineering, design, site               commitments for sufficient funds to
                                                  Notice and the interim rule for the                      plans, associated professional fees,                  complete the repowering project, taking


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                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 142 / Monday, July 25, 2016 / Notices                                              48383

                                                  into account the amount of the payment                   provide the applicant of the higher                   provisions of 7 CFR 4288.25 apply to
                                                  request in the application.                              scoring application the opportunity to                this Notice.
                                                                                                           reduce the amount of its payment                        C. Environmental Review. All
                                                  VII. Application and Submission
                                                                                                           request to the amount of funds                        recipients under this Notice are subject
                                                  Information
                                                                                                           available. If the applicant agrees to                 to the requirements of 7 CFR part 1970.
                                                    A. To Request Applications.                            lower its payment request, it must
                                                  Application forms are available from the                 certify that the purposes of the project              X. Agency Contacts
                                                  USDA Rural Development State Office,                     can be met, and the Agency must                          For further information about this
                                                  State Energy Coordinator, and the                        determine the project is feasible at the              Notice, please contact Fred Petok,
                                                  Agency Web site found at http://                         lower amount.                                         USDA, Rural Business—Cooperative
                                                  forms.sc.egov.usda.gov. Follow
                                                                                                           IX. Administration Information                        Service, Energy Division, 1400
                                                  instructions on the Agency Web site for
                                                                                                              A. Notice of Eligibility. The provisions           Independence Avenue SW., Room 6868,
                                                  obtaining the application and forms.
                                                                                                           of 7 CFR 4288.23 apply to this Notice.                STOP 3225, Washington, DC 20250–
                                                  http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-
                                                                                                           These provisions include notifying an                 3225. Telephone: 202–690–0784. Email:
                                                  services/repowering-assistance-program.
                                                    B. Content and Form of Submission.                     applicant determined to be eligible for               frederick.petok@wdc.usda.gov.
                                                  Applicants must submit a signed                          participation and notifying an applicant              XI. Nondiscrimination Statement
                                                  original and one copy of an application                  determined to be ineligible, including
                                                  containing all the information specified                 their application score and ranking and                  The U.S. Department of Agriculture
                                                  in 7 CFR 4288.20(b) and (c).                             the score necessary to qualify for                    (USDA) prohibits discrimination against
                                                    C. Submission Dates and Times.                         payments.                                             its customers, employees, and
                                                  Applications to participate in this                         B. Administrative and National Policy              applicants for employment on the bases
                                                  program must be submitted between                        Requirements.                                         of race, color, national origin, age,
                                                  July 25, 2016 and October 24, 2016.                         (1) Review or Appeal Rights. A person              disability, sex, gender identity, religion,
                                                  Applications received after 4:30 p.m.                    may seek a review of an Agency adverse                reprisal, and where applicable, political
                                                  Eastern Daylight Time October 24, 2016,                  decision or appeal to the National                    beliefs, marital status, familial or
                                                  regardless of their postmark, will not be                Appeals Division as provided in 7 CFR                 parental status, sexual orientation, or all
                                                  considered by the Agency for funding                     4288.3.                                               or part of an individual’s income is
                                                  consideration.                                              (2) Compliance With Other Laws and                 derived from any public assistance
                                                    D. Where to Submit. Applications                       Regulations. The provisions of 7 CFR                  program, or protected genetic
                                                  shall be sent to the Repowering                          4288.4 apply to this Notice, which                    information in employment or in any
                                                  Assistance Program at 1400                               includes requiring participating                      program or activity conducted or funded
                                                  Independence Avenue SW., Room                            biorefineries to be in compliance with                by the Department. (Not all prohibited
                                                  6901–S, Washington DC, 20150. Please                     other applicable Federal, State, and                  bases will apply to all programs and/or
                                                  note that regular mail delivery, or                      local laws.                                           employment activities.)
                                                  courier delivery must be coordinated                        (3) Oversight and Monitoring. The                     If you wish to file a Civil Rights
                                                  with the Agency in order for the                         provisions of 7 CFR 4288.5(a) and (b)                 program complaint of discrimination,
                                                  proposal to be delivered by the date.                    apply to this Notice, which includes the              complete the USDA Program
                                                                                                           right of the Agency to verify all payment             Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF),
                                                  VIII. Application Review and Selection                   applications and subsequent payments
                                                  Information                                                                                                    found online at http://
                                                                                                           and the requirement that each                         www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_
                                                    The Agency will evaluate projects                      biorefinery must make available, at one               cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call
                                                  based on the cost, cost-effectiveness,                   place at all reasonable times for                     (866) 632–9992 to request the form. You
                                                  and capacity of projects to reduce fossil                examination by the Agency, all books,                 may also write a letter containing all of
                                                  fuels used.                                              documents, papers, receipts, payroll                  the information requested in the form.
                                                    A. Review. The Agency will review                      records, and bills of sale adequate to                Send your completed complaint form or
                                                  applications submitted under this                        identify the purposes for which, and the              letter to us by mail at U.S. Department
                                                  Notice in accordance with 7 CFR                          manner in which, funds were expended                  of Agriculture, Director, Office of
                                                  4288.21(a).                                              for all eligible project costs for a period           Adjudication, 1400 Independence
                                                    B. Scoring. The Agency will score                      of not less than 3 years from the final               Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250–
                                                  applications submitted under this                        payment date.                                         9410, by fax (202) 690–7442 or email at
                                                  Notice in accordance with 7 CFR                             (4) Reporting. Upon completion of the              program.intake@usda.gov.
                                                  4288.21(b).                                              repowering project funded under this
                                                    C. Ranking and Selecting                                                                                        Individuals who are deaf, hard of
                                                                                                           Notice, the biorefinery must submit a
                                                  Applications. The Agency will consider                                                                         hearing or have speech disabilities and
                                                                                                           report, in accordance with 7 CFR
                                                  the score an application has received                                                                          you wish to file either an EEO or
                                                                                                           4288.5(c), to the Agency annually for
                                                  compared to the scores of other                                                                                program complaint please contact
                                                                                                           the first 3 years after completion of the
                                                  applications, with higher scoring                                                                              USDA through the Federal Relay
                                                                                                           project. The reports are to be submitted
                                                  applications receiving first                                                                                   Service at (800) 877–8339 or (800) 845–
                                                                                                           as of October 1 of each year.
                                                  consideration for payments. Using the                       (5) Payment Provisions. Fiscal Year                6136 (in Spanish).
                                                  application scoring criteria point values                (FY) 2016 payments will be made                          Persons with disabilities, who wish to
                                                  specified in 7 CFR 4288.21, the Agency                                                                         file a program complaint, please see
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                                                                                                           according to the provisions specified in
                                                  will select applications for payments.                   7 CFR 4288.13(b) and (c) and in 7 CFR                 information above on how to contact us
                                                    D. Availability of Funds. As                           4288.24.                                              by mail directly or by email. If you
                                                  applications are funded, if insufficient                    (6) Exception Authority. The                       require alternative means of
                                                  funds remain to pay the next highest                     provisions of 7 CFR 4288.7 apply to this              communication for program information
                                                  scoring application, the Agency may                      Notice.                                               (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.)
                                                  elect to pay a lower scoring application.                   (7) Succession and Control of                      please contact USDA’s TARGET Center
                                                  Before this occurs, the Agency will                      Facilities and Production. The                        at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD).


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                                                  48384                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 142 / Monday, July 25, 2016 / Notices

                                                    Dated: July 18, 2016.                                  part, if the party that requested a review            SUMMARY:   On June 24, 2016, the
                                                  Samuel H. Rikkers,                                       withdraws its request within 90 days of               Department of Commerce
                                                  Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative                the date of publication of notice of                  (‘‘Department’’) published in the
                                                  Service.                                                 initiation of the requested review. In                Federal Register the Preliminary
                                                  [FR Doc. 2016–17485 Filed 7–22–16; 8:45 am]              this case, WTTC withdrew its request                  Determination of the countervailing
                                                  BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P                                   for review within the 90-day deadline,                duty (‘‘CVD’’) investigation on certain
                                                                                                           and no other party requested an                       biaxial integral geogrid products
                                                                                                           administrative review of the CVD order.               (‘‘geogrids’’) from the People’s Republic
                                                  DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                   Therefore, in accordance with 19 CFR                  of China (‘‘PRC’’). The Department is
                                                                                                           351.213(d)(1), we are rescinding this                 amending the Preliminary
                                                  International Trade Administration                       review in its entirety.                               Determination of the investigation to
                                                                                                                                                                 correct three ministerial errors.
                                                  [C–570–982]                                              Assessment
                                                                                                                                                                 DATES: Effective June 24, 2016.
                                                  Utility Scale Wind Towers from the                         The Department will instruct U.S.                   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob
                                                  People’s Republic of China:                              Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to                Palmer or Ryan Mullen, AD/CVD
                                                  Rescission of Countervailing Duty                        assess CVDs on all entries of wind                    Operations, Office V, Enforcement and
                                                  Administrative Review; 2015                              towers from the PRC during the period                 Compliance, International Trade
                                                                                                           January 1, 2015, through December 31,                 Administration, Department of
                                                  AGENCY:   Enforcement and Compliance,                    2015, at rates equal to the cash deposit              Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution
                                                  International Trade Administration,                      of estimated CVDs required at the time                Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230;
                                                  Department of Commerce.                                  of entry, or withdrawal from warehouse,               telephone: (202) 482–9068 or (202) 482–
                                                  SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce                      for consumption, in accordance with 19                5260, respectively.
                                                  (the Department) is rescinding its                       CFR 351.212(c)(1)(i). The Department
                                                                                                                                                                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June
                                                  administrative review of the                             intends to issue appropriate assessment
                                                                                                                                                                 24, 2016, the Department published in
                                                  countervailing duty (CVD) order on                       instructions to CBP 15 days after the
                                                                                                                                                                 the Federal Register the Preliminary
                                                  utility scale wind towers (wind towers)                  publication of this notice.
                                                                                                                                                                 Determination of the CVD investigation
                                                  from the People’s Republic of China                      Notifications                                         of geogrids from the PRC.1 On June 24,
                                                  (PRC) for the period January 1, 2015,                                                                          2016, and June 27, 2016, respectively,
                                                  through December 31, 2015.                                 This notice serves as a final reminder
                                                                                                           to parties subject to administrative                  Taian Modern Plastic Co., Ltd. (‘‘Taian
                                                  DATES: Effective July 25, 2016.                                                                                Modern’’) and BOSTD Geosynthetics
                                                                                                           protective order (APO) of their
                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                                                                               Qingdao Ltd. (‘‘BOSTD Qingdao’’)
                                                                                                           responsibility concerning the return or
                                                  Kristen Johnson, AD/CVD Operations,                                                                            alleged that the Department made
                                                                                                           destruction of proprietary information
                                                  Office III, Enforcement and Compliance,                                                                        significant ministerial errors in the
                                                                                                           disclosed under APO, in accordance
                                                  International Trade Administration,                                                                            Preliminary Determination.2
                                                                                                           with 19 CFR 351.305.(a)(3). Timely
                                                  U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th
                                                                                                           written notification of the return or                 Significant Ministerial Error
                                                  Street and Constitution Avenue NW.,
                                                                                                           destruction of APO materials or
                                                  Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202)                                                                            A ministerial error, as defined in
                                                                                                           conversion to judicial protective order is
                                                  482–4793.                                                                                                      section 751(h) of the Tariff Act of 1930,
                                                                                                           hereby requested. Failure to comply
                                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                                                                                     as amended (‘‘the Act’’), includes
                                                                                                           with the regulations and the terms of an
                                                                                                                                                                 ‘‘errors in addition, subtraction, or other
                                                  Background                                               APO is a violation which is subject to
                                                                                                                                                                 arithmetic function, clerical errors
                                                                                                           sanction.
                                                    The Department initiated an                                                                                  resulting from inaccurate copying,
                                                                                                             This notice is issued and published in
                                                  administrative review of the CVD order                                                                         duplication, or the like, and any other
                                                                                                           accordance with sections 751(a)(1) and
                                                  on wind towers from the PRC with                                                                               type of unintentional error which the
                                                                                                           777(i)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as
                                                  respect to 50 companies for the period                                                                         administering authority considers
                                                                                                           amended, and 19 CFR 351.213(d)(4).
                                                  January 1, 2015, through December 31,                                                                          ministerial.’’ 3 With respect to
                                                  2015, based on a request by the                            Dated: July 18, 2016.                               preliminary determinations, 19 CFR
                                                  petitioner, the Wind Tower Trade                         Christian Marsh,                                      351.224(e) provides that the Department
                                                  Coalition (WTTC).1 On July 6, 2016,                      Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping            ‘‘will analyze any comments received
                                                  WTTC timely withdrew its request for                     and Countervailing Duty Operations.                   and, if appropriate, correct any
                                                  an administrative review of all 50                       [FR Doc. 2016–17562 Filed 7–22–16; 8:45 am]           significant ministerial error by
                                                  companies.2 No other party requested a                   BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P                                amending the preliminary
                                                  review.                                                                                                        determination . . .’’ A significant
                                                  Rescission of Review                                     DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                  1 See Countervailing Duty Investigation of Certain

                                                    Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.213(d)(1), the                                                                        Biaxial Integral Geogrid Products From the People’s
                                                                                                           International Trade Administration                    Republic of China: Preliminary Determination and
                                                  Department will rescind an                                                                                     Alignment of Final Determination With Final
                                                  administrative review in whole or in                                                                           Antidumping Determination, 81 FR 41292 (June 24,
                                                                                                           [C–570–037]                                           2016) (‘‘Preliminary Determination’’).
                                                    1 See  Initiation of Antidumping and                                                                           2 On June 30, 2016 the Department received

                                                  Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews, 81 FR        Certain Biaxial Integral Geogrid                      comments submitted by Tensar Corporation in
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                                                  20324 (April 7, 2016) (Initiation Notice). In the        Products From the People’s Republic                   reply to the ministerial allegations of Taian Modern
                                                  Initiation Notice, we inadvertently listed only 45       of China: Amended Preliminary                         and BOSTD Qingdao. However, in accordance with
                                                  companies; however, WTTC requested a review of           Results of Countervailing Duty                        19 CFR 351.224(c)(3), these reply comments were
                                                  50 companies. See Letter from WTTC regarding                                                                   rejected from the record. See Letter from Catherine
                                                  ‘‘Request for Administrative Review’’ (February 23,      Investigation                                         Bertrand, Program Manager, Office V, ‘‘Certain
                                                  2016).                                                                                                         Biaxial Integral Geogrids Products from the People’s
                                                     2 See Letter from the WTTC regarding                  AGENCY:  Enforcement and Compliance,                  Republic of China: Tensar Corporation’s Ministerial
                                                  ‘‘Withdrawal of Request for Administrative               International Trade Administration,                   Reply Comments’’ (July 5, 2016).
                                                  Review’’ (July 6, 2016).                                 Department of Commerce.                                 3 See also 19 CFR 351.224(f).




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Document Created: 2016-07-23 02:00:48
Document Modified: 2016-07-23 02:00:48
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
DatesApplications will be accepted from July 25, 2016 through October 24, 2016. Applications received after October 24, 2016, regardless of their postmark, will not receive consideration. If the actual deadline falls on a weekend or a federally-observed holiday, the deadline is the next Federal business day.
ContactFor further information on this payment program, please contact Fred Petok, USDA, Rural Business- Cooperative Service, Energy Division, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 6901-S, STOP 3225, Washington, DC 20250-3225. Telephone: 202-690- 0784. Email: [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 48381 

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