83 FR 38119 - Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 150 (August 3, 2018)
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 150 (August 3, 2018)
| Page Range | 38119-38123 | |
| FR Document | 2018-16664 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 150 (Friday, August 3, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 38119-38123] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-16664] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Business-Cooperative Service Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This Notice announces the solicitation of applications for funds available under the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program (the Program) to provide guaranteed loans to fund the development, construction, and retrofitting of commercial scale biorefineries using eligible technology and of Biobased product manufacturing facilities that use technologically new commercial scale processing and manufacturing equipment to convert renewable chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries into end-user products, on a commercial scale. DATES: With this Notice, the Agency is announcing two separate application cycles, as is provided which are application closing dates of 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, October 1, 2018, and 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, April 1, 2019. Applications must be received in the USDA Rural Business- Cooperative Service, Energy Programs no later than 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time of the application closing date to compete for program funds. Any application received after 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time of the application closing date will be considered for the subsequent application cycle, provided that funding is available. ADDRESSES: Applications and forms may be obtained from:USDA, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Energy Programs, Attention: Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 6901-S, Washington, DC 20250-3225. Agency website: http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eForms/welcomeAction.do?Home. Follow the instructions for obtaining the application and forms. Application materials can also be obtained from the Agency's website. http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/biorefinery-assistance-program. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aaron Morris, Assistant Deputy Administrator, USDA Rural Business- [[Page 38120]] Cooperative Service, Energy Programs, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 6901-S, Washington, DC 20250-3225. Telephone: 202-720-1501. Email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Preface The Agency encourages applications that will support recommendations made in the Rural Prosperity Task Force report to help improve life in rural America (www.usda.gov/ruralprosperity). Applicants are encouraged to consider projects that provide measurable results in helping rural communities build robust and sustainable economies through strategic investments in infrastructure, partnerships, and innovation. Key strategies include: Achieving e-Connectivity for Rural America Developing the Rural Economy Harnessing Technological Innovation Supporting a Rural Workforce Improving Quality of Life Paperwork Reduction Act In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the information collection requirements associated with the Program, as covered in this Notice, have been approved by the Office of Management Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0570-0065. Overview Federal Agency Name: Rural Business-Cooperative Service (an Agency of USDA in the Rural Development mission area). Solicitation Opportunity Title: Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program. Announcement Type: Notice of Solicitation of Applications. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: The CFDA number for this Notice is 10.865. Dates: Applications must be received in the USDA Rural Business- Cooperative Service, Energy Programs no later than the application closing dates of 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, October 1, 2018, and 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, April 1, 2019. Any application received after 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time of the application closing date will be considered for the subsequent application cycle, provided that funding is available. Availability of Notice and Rule: This Notice and the interim rule for the Program are available on the USDA Rural Development website at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/biorefinery-assistance-program. I. Funding Opportunity Description A. Purpose of the Program. The purpose of the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program is to assist in the development of new and emerging technologies for the development of advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals, and biobased product manufacturing. This is achieved through guarantees for loans made to fund the development, construction, and retrofitting of commercial scale biorefineries using eligible technology and of biobased product manufacturing facilities that use technologically new commercial scale processing and manufacturing equipment and required facilities to convert renewable chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries into end-user products on a commercial scale. B. Statutory Authority. This Program is authorized under 7 U.S.C. 8103. Regulations are contained in 7 CFR part 4279, subpart C and in 7 CFR part 4287, subpart D. C. Definition of Terms. The definitions applicable to this Notice are published at 7 CFR 4279.202 and 7 CFR 4287.302. D. Application awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, score, and award applications received in response to this Notice based on the provisions found in 7 CFR part 4279, subpart C and as indicated in this Notice. II. Award Information A. Available funds. This Notice is a solicitation for applications that will be funded using budget authority provided by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) and the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill). B. Type of Award. Guaranteed loan. C. Approximate Number of Awards. Subject to the amount of funding available. D. Guarantee Loan Funding. The provisions of 7 CFR 4279.232 apply to this Notice. The Borrower needs to provide the remaining funds from other non-Federal sources to complete the Project. E. Guarantee and Annual Renewal Fees. The guarantee and annual renewal fees specified in 7 CFR 4279.231 are applicable to this Notice. F. Anticipated Award Date. The award date will vary based on timing of completion of each project's individual application process. III. Eligibility Information A. Eligible Lenders. To be eligible for this program, lenders must meet the eligibility requirements in 7 CFR 4279.208. B. Eligible Borrowers. To be eligible for this program, borrowers must meet the eligibility requirements in 7 CFR 4279.209. C. Eligible Projects. To be eligible for this program, projects must meet the eligibility requirements in 7 CFR 4279.210. D. Application Completeness. Incomplete Phase 1 applications will be rejected and the project will be given no further consideration. Lenders will be informed of the element(s) that made the application incomplete. If the lender makes the required edits and resubmits the application to the USDA's Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Energy Programs by 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, on the application closing date, the Agency will reconsider the application. IV. Application Submission Information A. Letter of Intent. For each guarantee request, the lender or the borrower must submit to the Agency a non-binding letter of intent to apply for a loan guarantee, not less than 30 calendar days prior to the application deadline. The letter of intent due date is August 31, 2018, for the October 1, 2018, application cycle and March 1, 2019, for the April 1, 2019, cycle. The letter must identify the borrower, the lender and any project sponsors; describe the project and project location; describe the proposed feedstock, primary technologies of the facility, and primary products produced; estimate the total project cost and amount of loan requested; and identify the application cycle due date. The Agency reserves the right to request additional information from potential applicants. Applications submitted without a letter of intent may be accepted by the Agency at the Agency's discretion. B. Application Submittal. For each guarantee request, the lender must submit to the Agency an application that is in conformance with 7 CFR 4279.261. The content and methods of application submittal are specified below. Additionally, the Agency has developed an application guide that explains the application procedures and details the process for submission of an application. This guide is located at http://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RBS_Section9003Biorefinery_ApplicationGuide.pdf. C. Content and Form of Submission. All applicants must submit one paper copy of the application materials and an electronic copy containing the same information that is included in the [[Page 38121]] paper copy. Detailed instructions regarding application submission are explained in the application guide that the Agency has developed. The application guide is available online on the ``Forms and Resources'' page at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/biorefinery-assistance-program or by contacting Aaron Morris, Telephone: 202-720- 1501. Email: [email protected]. Application materials should be submitted to USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Energy Programs, Attention: Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 6901-S, Washington, DC 20250-3225. The Agency's application process is divided into two phases. Phase 1 applications will provide information needed to determine lender, borrower, and project eligibility; preliminary economic and technical feasibility; and the priority score of the application. Based on the priority score ranking, the Agency will invite applicants whose Phase 1 applications receive higher priority scores to submit Phase 2 applications. Phase 2 application materials will be submitted as the project planning and engineering are finalized and will include information such as: Environmental compliance information, technical report, financial model, and the lender's credit evaluation. Phase 1 applications must contain the information required in the Agency's application guide and in accordance with 7 CFR 4279.261. D. Local Owner. For applications submitted under this Notice, when the majority of feedstock to be utilized by the project on an annual basis is harvested from the land, the term ``local owner'' is defined as an individual who owns any portion of an eligible biorefinery and whose primary residence is located within the geographic area that the biorefinery's feedstock originates. In all other cases, ``local owner'' is defined as an individual who owns any portion of an eligible biorefinery and whose primary residence is located within 100 miles of the biorefinery. This definition will remain in effect until amended by a future Federal Register Notice. V. Biobased Product Manufacturing This notice also includes the solicitation of applications for funds available under the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program to specifically fund biobased product manufacturing. The 2014 Farm Bill added biobased product manufacturing to the Program and provided for up to 15 percent of the mandatory funds for fiscal years 2014 and 2015 to be used to support facilities producing biobased products for end use. The 2014 Farm Bill provides the definition of ``biobased product manufacturing,'' which the Agency has incorporated into the subsequent interim rule (see 7 CFR 4279.202). This definition requires that the biobased product manufacturing facility use renewable chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries as inputs and also requires that the borrower use technologically new commercial scale processing and manufacturing equipment and required facilities. The facility must produce end-user products. VI. Biobased Product Manufacturing Eligibility Information The eligibility requirements for prospective lenders and borrowers will not change from those listed above for the program, generally. For biobased product manufacturing projects, the eligible project requirement is modified to reflect that eligible projects will use technologically new commercial scale processing and manufacturing equipment and required facilities to convert renewable chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries into end-user products on a commercial scale. Additionally, for purposes of biobased product manufacturing projects, only for purposes of technical review, technical reports need to address only the technologically new commercial scale processing and manufacturing equipment and required facilities. VII. Biobased Product Manufacturing Application Processing Procedures The application processing procedures will remain the same for biobased product manufacturing projects as for the projects described above. For applications submitted under this Notice, ``local owner'' is defined as an individual who owns any portion of an eligible biorefinery and whose primary residence is located within 100 miles of the biorefinery. VIII. Biobased Product Manufacturing Scoring In lieu of the criteria listed in 7 CFR 4279.266, biobased product manufacturing projects will be scored using the criteria listed below. The scoring criteria below will remain in effect until amended by another Federal Register Notice. The scoring criteria are as follows: (a) Whether the borrower has established a market for the manufactured biobased product, as applicable. A maximum of 16 points can be awarded. Points to be awarded will be determined as follows: (1) Degree of commitment of contracted sales agreements. A maximum of 6 points will be awarded. (i) If the borrower has signed contracts for purchase for greater than 50 percent of the dollar value of manufactured biobased product, 6 points will be awarded. (ii) If the borrower has signed letters of intent to enter into contracted sales agreements, or comparable documentation, for the purchase for greater than 50 percent of the dollar value of the manufactured biobased product, or combination of signed contracts or agreements and letters of intent or comparable documentation, 4 points will be awarded. (iii) If the borrower has signed letters of interest to enter into contracted sales agreements, or comparable documentation, for the purchase for greater than 50 percent of the dollar value of the manufactured biobased product, or combination of signed contracts, letters of intent or comparable documentation, 2 points will be awarded. (2) Duration of contracted sales agreements. A maximum of 6 points will be awarded. (i) If the borrower commits to enter into contracted sales agreements prior to loan closing for purchase for greater than or equal to 50 percent of the dollar value of manufactured biobased product for the period not less than the loan term, 6 points will be awarded. (ii) If the borrower commits to enter into contracted sales agreements prior to loan closing for purchase for greater than or equal to 50 percent of the dollar value of the manufactured biobased product for the period not less than 5 years but less than the term of the loan, 4 points will be awarded. (iii) If the borrower commits to enter into contracted sales agreements prior to loan closing for purchase for greater than or equal to 50 percent of the dollar value of the manufactured biobased product for the period not less than 1 year but less than 5 years, 2 points will be awarded. (3) Financial strength of the contracted sales agreement counterparty. A maximum of 4 points will be awarded. (i) If the borrower commits to enter into contracted sales agreements prior to loan closing for purchase for greater than or equal to 50 percent of the dollar value of the manufactured biobased [[Page 38122]] product with a counterparty with a corporate credit rating not less than AA, Aa2, or equivalent, 4 points will be awarded. (ii) If the borrower commits to enter into contracted sales agreements prior to loan closing for purchase for greater than or equal to 50 percent of the dollar value of the manufactured biobased product with a counterparty with a corporate credit rating less than AA, Aa2, or equivalent, but not less than A-, or A3, or equivalent, 2 points will be awarded. (iii) If the borrower commits to enter into contracted sales agreements prior to loan closing for purchase for greater than or equal to 50 percent of the dollar value of the manufactured biobased product with a counterparty with a corporate credit rating less than A-, or A3, or equivalent, but not less than BBB-, or Baa3, or equivalent, 1 point will be awarded. (b) Whether the area in which the borrower proposes to place the project, defined as the area that will supply the renewable chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries to the proposed project, has any other similar facilities. A maximum of 5 points can be awarded. Points to be awarded will be determined as follows: (1) If the area that will supply the renewable chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries to the proposed project does not have any other similar facilities, 5 points will be awarded. (2) If there are other similar facilities located within the area that will supply the renewable chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries to the proposed project, 0 points will be awarded. (c) Whether the borrower is proposing to use renewable chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries not previously used in the biobased product manufacturing. A maximum of 10 points can be awarded. Points to be awarded will be determined as follows: (1) If the borrower proposes to use renewable chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries previously used in the manufacture of a biobased product in a commercial facility, 0 points will be awarded. (2) If the borrower proposes to use renewable chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries not previously used in the manufacture of a biobased product in a commercial facility, 10 points will be awarded. (d) Whether the borrower is proposing to work with producer associations or cooperatives. A maximum of 5 points can be awarded. Points to be awarded will be determined as follows: (1) If at least 50 percent of the dollar value of renewable chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries to be used by the proposed project will be supplied by producer associations and cooperatives or biorefineries supplied by producer associations and cooperatives, 5 points will be awarded. (2) If at least 30 percent of the dollar value of renewable chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries to be used by the proposed project will be supplied by producer associations and cooperatives or biorefineries supplied by producer associations and cooperatives, 3 points will be awarded. (e) The level of financial participation by the borrower, including support from non-Federal Government sources and private sources. A maximum of 20 points can be awarded. Points to be awarded will be determined as follows: (1) If the sum of the loan amount requested and other direct Federal funding is less than or equal to 50 percent of total eligible project costs, 20 points will be awarded. (2) If the sum of the loan amount requested and other direct Federal funding is greater than 50 percent but less than or equal to 55 percent of total eligible project costs, 16 points will be awarded. (3) If the sum of the loan amount requested and other direct Federal funding is greater than 55 percent but less than or equal to 60 percent of total eligible project costs, 12 points will be awarded. (4) If the sum of the loan amount and other direct Federal funding is greater than 60 percent but less than or equal to 65 percent of total eligible project costs, 8 points will be awarded. (5) If the sum of the loan amount and other direct Federal funding is greater than 65 percent but less than or equal to 70 percent of total eligible project costs, 4 points will be awarded. (f) Whether the borrower has established that the adoption of the manufacturing process proposed in the application will have a positive effect on three impact areas: resource conservation (e.g., water, soil, forest), public health (e.g., potable water, air quality), and the environment (e.g., compliance with an applicable renewable fuel standard, greenhouse gases, emissions, particulate matter). A maximum of 10 points can be awarded. Based on what the borrower has provided in either the application or the feasibility study, points to be awarded will be determined as follows: (1) If process adoption will have a positive impact on any one of the three impact areas (resource conservation, public health, or the environment), 3 points will be awarded. (2) If process adoption will have a positive impact on two of the three impact areas, 6 points will be awarded. (3) If process adoption will have a positive impact on all three impact areas, 10 points will be awarded. (g) Whether the borrower can establish that, if adopted, the technology proposed in the application will not have any economically significant negative impacts on existing manufacturing plants or other facilities that use renewable chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries. A maximum of 5 points can be awarded. Points to be awarded will be determined as follows: (1) If the borrower has failed to establish, through an independent third-party feasibility study, that the production technology proposed in the application, if adopted, will not have any economically significant negative impacts on existing manufacturing plants or other facilities that use similar renewable chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries, 0 points will be awarded. (2) If the borrower has established, through an independent third- party feasibility study, that the production technology proposed in the application, if adopted, will not have any economically significant negative impacts on existing manufacturing plants or other facilities that use renewable chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries, 5 points will be awarded. (h) The potential for rural economic development. A maximum of 10 points can be awarded. Points to be awarded will be determined as follows: (1) If the project is located in a rural area, 5 points will be awarded. (2) If the project creates jobs through direct employment with an average wage that exceeds the county median household wages where the project will be located, 5 points will be awarded. (i) The level of local ownership of the facility proposed in the application. For the purposes of this Notice, a local owner is defined as ``An individual who owns any portion of an eligible advanced biofuel biorefinery and whose primary residence is located within 100 miles of the biorefinery.'' A maximum of 5 points can be awarded. Points to be awarded will be determined as follows: (1) If local owners have an ownership interest in the facility of more than 20 percent but less than or equal to 50 percent, 3 points will be awarded. (2) If local owners have an ownership interest in the facility of more than 50 percent, 5 points will be awarded. [[Page 38123]] (j) Whether the project can be replicated. A maximum of 10 points can be awarded. Points to be awarded will be determined as follows: (1) If the project can be commercially replicated regionally (e.g., Northeast, Southwest, etc.), 5 points will be awarded. (2) If the project can be commercially replicated nationally, 10 points will be awarded. (k) If the project uses a particular technology, system, or process that is not currently operating at commercial scale as of October 1 of the fiscal year for which the funding is available; October 1, 2018, 5 points will be awarded. (l) The Administrator can award up to a maximum of 10 bonus points: (1) To ensure, to the extent practical, there is diversity in the types of projects approved for loan guarantees to ensure a wide a range as possible technologies, products, and approaches are assisted in the program portfolio; and (2) To applications that promote partnerships and other activities that assist in the development of new and emerging technologies for the development of renewable chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries, so as to, as applicable, promote resource conservation, public health, and the environment; diversify markets for agricultural and forestry products and agriculture waste material; and create jobs and enhance the economic development of the rural economy. No additional information regarding partnerships is provided at this time. If additional information does become available, the Agency will publish those details in a Federal Register notice. IX. General Program Information A. Loan Origination. Lenders seeking a loan guarantee under this Notice must comply with all of the provisions found in 7 CFR 4279, subpart C. B. Loan Processing. The Agency will process loans guaranteed under this Notice in accordance with the provisions specified in 7 CFR 4279.260 through 4279.290. C. Evaluation of Applications and Awards. Awards under this Notice will be made on a competitive basis; submission of an application neither reserves funding nor ensures funding. The Agency will evaluate each application received in the USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Energy Programs, select Phase 1 applications in accordance with 7 CFR 4279.267 to invite submittal of Phase 2 applications and will make awards using the provisions specified in 7 CFR 4279.278. D. Guaranteed Loan Servicing. The Agency will service loans guaranteed under this Notice in accordance with the provisions specified in 7 CFR 4287.301 through 4287.399. E. System for Award Management (SAM) and Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Registration. Unless exempt under 2 CFR 25.110, the applicant must be registered in the SAM prior to submitting an application and maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration by the Agency. Applicants must provide a DUNS number for each application submitted to the Agency. X. Administration Information A. Notifications. The Agency will notify, in writing, lenders whose Phase 1 applications have scored highest and will invite them to submit Phase 2 applications. If the Agency determines it is unable to guarantee any particular loan, the lender will be informed in writing. Such notification will include the reason(s) for denial of the guarantee. B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. 1. Review or Appeal Rights. A person may seek a review of an Agency decision or appeal to the National Appeals Division in accordance with 7 CFR 4279.204. 2. Exception Authority. The provisions specified in 7 CFR 4279.203 and 7 CFR 4287.303 apply to this Notice. C. Environmental Review. The Agency will review all applicant proposals that may qualify for assistance under this section in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970, Environmental Policies and Procedures. The environmental review for projects that score high enough will be submitted during the Phase 2 application process and must be conducted in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970, Environmental Policies and Procedures. XI. Agency Contacts For general questions about this Notice, please contact Aaron Morris, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Energy Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 6901-S, Washington DC 20250-3225. Telephone: 202-720-1501. Email: [email protected]. Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Requirements In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program. Political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARTET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of a complaint form, call, (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410; (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) Email at: [email protected]. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Dated: July 30, 2018. Bette B. Brand, Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service. [FR Doc. 2018-16664 Filed 8-2-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 150 / Friday, August 3, 2018 / Notices 38119
Gyant, Deputy Regional Forester, at: substantive formal comments and the DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest content of the objection, unless the
Region, ATTN: Inyo Forest Plan objection concerns an issue that arose Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Objection, 1323 Club Dr., Vallejo, CA after the opportunities for formal
94592, Fax: (707) 562–9049. Note that comment; and Notice of Solicitation of Applications
the office hours for submitting a hand- for the Biorefinery, Renewable
(8) All documents referenced in the Chemical, and Biobased Product
delivered objection are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 objection (a bibliography is not
p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding Manufacturing Assistance Program
sufficient), except that the following
Federal holidays. Electronic objections need not be provided: AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative
may be submitted to objections- Service, USDA.
pacificsouthwest-regional-office@ a. All or any part of a Federal law or
regulation, ACTION: Notice.
fs.fed.us in common formats (.doc,
.docx, .rtf, .pdf, or .txt) with ‘‘Inyo b. Forest Service Directive System SUMMARY: This Notice announces the
Forest Plan Objection’’ or ‘‘Inyo species documents and land management plans solicitation of applications for funds
of conservation concern’’ in the subject or other published Forest Service available under the Biorefinery,
line. documents, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Inyo c. Documents referenced by the Forest Product Manufacturing Assistance
National Forest Environmental Service in the planning documentation Program (the Program) to provide
Coordinator, Leeann Murphy at 760– related to the proposal subject to guaranteed loans to fund the
873–2404 or lbmurphy@fs.fed.us. objection, and development, construction, and
Individuals who use retrofitting of commercial scale
telecommunication devices for the deaf d. Formal comments previously biorefineries using eligible technology
(TDD) may call the Federal Information provided to the Forest Service by the and of Biobased product manufacturing
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 objector during the plan revision facilities that use technologically new
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern comment period. commercial scale processing and
Time, Monday through Friday. It is the responsibility of the objector manufacturing equipment to convert
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: to ensure that the Reviewing Officer renewable chemicals and other biobased
The decision to approve the revised receives the objection in a timely outputs of biorefineries into end-user
forest plan for the Inyo National Forest manner. The regulations prohibit products, on a commercial scale.
and the Regional Forester’s list of SCC extending the length of the objection DATES: With this Notice, the Agency is
will be subject to the objection process filing period. announcing two separate application
identified in 36 CFR part 219 Subpart B cycles, as is provided which are
(219.50 to 219.62). An objection must Responsible Official
application closing dates of 4:30 p.m.
include the following (36 CFR The responsible official who will Eastern Daylight Time, October 1, 2018,
219.54(c)): approve the ROD and the revised forest and 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time,
(1) The objector’s name and address April 1, 2019.
plan for the Inyo National Forest is
along with a telephone number or email Applications must be received in the
Barbara Drake, Acting Forest
address if available. In cases where no USDA Rural Business-Cooperative
Supervisor, Inyo National Forest, 351
identifiable name is attached to an Service, Energy Programs no later than
Pacu Lane Suite 200, Bishop, CA
objection, the Forest Service will 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time of the
93514–3101. The responsible official for
attempt to verify the identity of the application closing date to compete for
the SCC list is Randy Moore, Regional
objector to confirm objection eligibility; program funds. Any application
(2) Signature or other verification of Forester, USDA Forest Service Pacific
Southwest Region, 1323 Club Drive, received after 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight
authorship upon request (a scanned
Vallejo, CA 94592. Time of the application closing date will
signature for electronic mail may be
The Regional Forester is the reviewing be considered for the subsequent
filed with the objection);
(3) Identification of the lead objector, officer for the revised forest plan since application cycle, provided that funding
when multiple names are listed on an the Forest Supervisor is the deciding is available.
objection. The Forest Service will official (36 CFR 219.56(e)(2)). The ADDRESSES: Applications and forms may
communicate to all parties to an Regional Forester will consider be obtained from:
objection through the lead objector. comments received and respond to them • USDA, Rural Business-Cooperative
Verification of the identity of the lead in the FEIS and ROD. The decision to Service, Energy Programs, Attention:
objector must also be provided if approve the SCC list will be subject to Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and
requested; a separate objection process. The Chief Biobased Product Manufacturing
(4) The name of the plan revision of the Forest Service is the reviewing Assistance Program, 1400 Independence
being objected to, and the name and title officer for SCC identification since the Avenue SW, Room 6901–S, Washington,
of the responsible official; Regional Forester is the deciding official DC 20250–3225.
(5) A statement of the issues and/or (36 CFR 219.56(e)(2)). Information about • Agency website: http://
parts of the plan revision to which the species of conservation concern is forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eForms/
objection applies; available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/ welcomeAction.do?Home. Follow the
(6) A concise statement explaining the detail/r5/landmanagement/planning/ instructions for obtaining the
objection and suggesting how the ?cid=STELPRD3847418. application and forms. Application
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1
proposed plan decision may be materials can also be obtained from the
Dated: June 29, 2018. Agency’s website. http://
improved. If the objector believes that
the plan revision is inconsistent with Glenn P. Casamassa, www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/
law, regulation, or policy, an Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest biorefinery-assistance-program.
explanation should be included; System. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
(7) A statement that demonstrates the [FR Doc. 2018–16662 Filed 8–2–18; 8:45 am] Aaron Morris, Assistant Deputy
link between the objector’s prior BILLING CODE 3411–15–P Administrator, USDA Rural Business-
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:26 Aug 02, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM 03AUN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_38269/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 150 / Friday, August 3, 2018 / Notices 38123
(j) Whether the project can be D. Guaranteed Loan Servicing. The regulations and policies, the USDA, its
replicated. A maximum of 10 points can Agency will service loans guaranteed Agencies, offices, and employees, and
be awarded. Points to be awarded will under this Notice in accordance with institutions participating in or
be determined as follows: the provisions specified in 7 CFR administering USDA programs are
(1) If the project can be commercially 4287.301 through 4287.399. prohibited from discriminating based on
replicated regionally (e.g., Northeast, E. System for Award Management race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
Southwest, etc.), 5 points will be (SAM) and Dun and Bradstreet Data gender identity (including gender
awarded. Universal Numbering System (DUNS) expression), sexual orientation,
(2) If the project can be commercially Registration. Unless exempt under 2 disability, age, marital status, family/
replicated nationally, 10 points will be CFR 25.110, the applicant must be parental status, income derived from a
awarded. registered in the SAM prior to public assistance program. Political
(k) If the project uses a particular submitting an application and maintain beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior
technology, system, or process that is an active SAM registration with current civil rights activity, in any program or
not currently operating at commercial information at all times during which it activity conducted or funded by USDA
scale as of October 1 of the fiscal year has an active Federal award or an (not all bases apply to all programs).
for which the funding is available; application under consideration by the Remedies and complaint filing
October 1, 2018, 5 points will be Agency. Applicants must provide a deadlines vary by program or incident.
awarded. DUNS number for each application Persons with disabilities who require
(l) The Administrator can award up to submitted to the Agency. alternative means of communication for
a maximum of 10 bonus points: program information (e.g., Braille, large
(1) To ensure, to the extent practical, X. Administration Information
print, audiotape, American Sign
there is diversity in the types of projects A. Notifications. The Agency will Language, etc.) should contact the
approved for loan guarantees to ensure notify, in writing, lenders whose Phase responsible Agency or USDA’s TARTET
a wide a range as possible technologies, 1 applications have scored highest and Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and
products, and approaches are assisted in will invite them to submit Phase 2 TTY) or contact USDA through the
the program portfolio; and applications. If the Agency determines it Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339.
(2) To applications that promote is unable to guarantee any particular Additionally, program information may
partnerships and other activities that loan, the lender will be informed in be made available in languages other
assist in the development of new and writing. Such notification will include than English.
emerging technologies for the the reason(s) for denial of the guarantee. To file a program discrimination
development of renewable chemicals B. Administrative and National Policy complaint, complete the USDA Program
and other biobased outputs of Requirements. Discrimination Complaint Form, AD–
biorefineries, so as to, as applicable, 1. Review or Appeal Rights. A person 3027, found online at: http://
promote resource conservation, public may seek a review of an Agency www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_
health, and the environment; diversify decision or appeal to the National cust.html, and at any USDA office or
markets for agricultural and forestry Appeals Division in accordance with 7 write a letter addressed to USDA and
products and agriculture waste material; CFR 4279.204. provide in the letter all of the
and create jobs and enhance the 2. Exception Authority. The information requested in the form. To
economic development of the rural provisions specified in 7 CFR 4279.203 request a copy of a complaint form, call,
economy. No additional information and 7 CFR 4287.303 apply to this (866) 632–9992. Submit your completed
regarding partnerships is provided at Notice. form or letter to USDA by:
this time. If additional information does C. Environmental Review. The Agency
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of
become available, the Agency will will review all applicant proposals that
Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
publish those details in a Federal may qualify for assistance under this
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400
Register notice. section in accordance with 7 CFR part
Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
1970, Environmental Policies and
IX. General Program Information DC 20250–9410;
Procedures. The environmental review
A. Loan Origination. Lenders seeking (2) Fax: (202) 690–7442; or
for projects that score high enough will
a loan guarantee under this Notice must (3) Email at: program.intake@
be submitted during the Phase 2
comply with all of the provisions found usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity
application process and must be
in 7 CFR 4279, subpart C. provider, employer, and lender.
conducted in accordance with 7 CFR
B. Loan Processing. The Agency will part 1970, Environmental Policies and Dated: July 30, 2018.
process loans guaranteed under this Procedures. Bette B. Brand,
Notice in accordance with the Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative
provisions specified in 7 CFR 4279.260 XI. Agency Contacts Service.
through 4279.290. For general questions about this [FR Doc. 2018–16664 Filed 8–2–18; 8:45 am]
C. Evaluation of Applications and Notice, please contact Aaron Morris, BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P
Awards. Awards under this Notice will Rural Business–Cooperative Service,
be made on a competitive basis; Energy Programs, U.S. Department of
submission of an application neither Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
reserves funding nor ensures funding. SW, Room 6901–S, Washington DC
The Agency will evaluate each 20250–3225. Telephone: 202–720–1501. Bureau of Industry and Security
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1
application received in the USDA Rural Email: Aaron.Morris@wdc.usda.gov.
Business-Cooperative Service, Energy [Docket Number 17–BIS–0005]
Programs, select Phase 1 applications in Equal Opportunity and Non-
accordance with 7 CFR 4279.267 to Discrimination Requirements Denial of Export Privileges
invite submittal of Phase 2 applications In accordance with Federal civil In the Matter of: Narender Sharma Middle
and will make awards using the rights law and U.S. Department of Bazzar, Rampur Bushahr Distt. Shimla (H.P.)
provisions specified in 7 CFR 4279.278. Agriculture (USDA) civil rights 172 001 India, Hydel Engineering Products
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:26 Aug 02, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM 03AUN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_38269/page/5.svg)
Document Created: 2018-11-06 10:34:49
Document Modified: 2018-11-06 10:34:49
| 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. | |
| Dates | With this Notice, the Agency is announcing two separate application cycles, as is provided which are application closing dates of 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, October 1, 2018, and 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, April 1, 2019. | |
| Contact | Aaron Morris, Assistant Deputy Administrator, USDA Rural Business- Cooperative Service, Energy Programs, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 6901-S, Washington, DC 20250-3225. Telephone: 202-720-1501. Email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 38119 |
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