[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 86 (Monday, May 5, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25564-25569]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-10054]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Notice of Funding Availability for the Rural Energy for America
Program
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
[[Page 25565]]
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) announces the
acceptance of applications under the Rural Energy for America Program
(REAP) for Fiscal Year 2014 for financial assistance as follows:
grants, guaranteed loans, and combined grants and guaranteed loans for
the development and construction of renewable energy systems and for
energy efficiency improvement projects. The Notice also announces the
availability of mandatory budget authority carried over from Fiscal
Year 2013 of approximately $24.7 million and $3.5 million of
discretionary budget authority made available by Fiscal Year 2014
appropriations. The budget authority will support the above referenced
REAP activities, for approximately $12.38 million in grant program
level and approximately $57.8 million in guaranteed loan program level.
The funding being announced does not include mandatory funding provided
by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill). The Rural Business-
Cooperative Service (Agency) intends to publish a final rule for REAP
later this fiscal year. The final rule will modify the interim rule for
REAP based on comments received on the interim rule, which was
published in the Federal Register on April 14, 2011 (76 FR 21110), and
the proposed rule, which was published on April 12, 2013 (78 FR 22044).
The Agency will publish a subsequent notice announcing the mandatory
funds for fiscal year 2014 provided by the 2014 Farm Bill
simultaneously with the final rule.
The 2014 Farm Bill repealed the authority for the feasibility study
component of REAP and also removed the ability to provide assistance
for flexible fuel pumps. Therefore applications for flexible fuel pumps
and feasibility studies will not be determined eligible or awarded
funds in Fiscal Year 2014 under REAP.
DATES: In order to be considered for Fiscal Year 2014 funds, complete
applications under this Notice must be received by the appropriate USDA
Rural Development State Office no later than 4:30 p.m. local time of
the dates as follows:
For renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant
applications and combination grant and guaranteed loan applications:
July 7, 2014.
For renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement
guaranteed loan only applications: On a continuous basis up to July 31,
2014.
ADDRESSES: See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for addresses concerning
applications for REAP for Fiscal Year 2014 funds.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this Notice,
please contact Mr. Kelley Oehler, Branch Chief, USDA Rural Development,
Energy Division, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250.
Telephone: (202) 720-6819. Email: [email protected].
For further information on this program, please contact the
applicable USDA Rural Development Energy Coordinator for your
respective State, as identified via the following link: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_Energy_CoordinatorList.html.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Fiscal Year 2014 Applications for the Rural Energy for America Program
Applications. Application materials may be obtained by contacting
one of Rural Development's Energy Coordinators, as identified via the
following link: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_Energy_CoordinatorList.html. In addition, for grant applications, applicants
may obtain electronic grant applications for REAP from http://www.Grants.gov.
Application Submittal. Submit complete paper applications to the
Rural Development State Office in the State in which the applicant's
proposed project is located.
Submit electronic grant only applications at http://www.Grants.gov,
following the instructions found on this Web site.
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
information collection requirements associated with renewable energy
system and energy efficiency improvement grants and guaranteed loans,
as covered in this Notice, has been approved by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0570-0050.
Overview
Federal Agency Name: Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
Contract Proposal Title: Rural Energy for America Program.
Announcement Type: Initial announcement.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number. 10.868.
Dates: Grant applications and combined grant and guaranteed loan
applications for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency
improvement projects under this Notice will be accepted up to July 7,
2014. Guaranteed loan only applications for renewable energy system and
energy efficiency improvement projects will be accepted on a continuous
basis, but to compete for Fiscal Year 2014 funding, complete
applications must be submitted to the Agency by July 31, 2014.
For all applications submitted under this Notice, complete
applications must be received by the appropriate USDA Rural Development
State Office no later than 4:30 p.m. local time of the applicable
application deadline date in order to be considered for Fiscal Year
2014 funds. Any application received after its applicable date and
time, regardless of the postmark on the application, will not be
considered for Fiscal Year 2014 funds.
Availability of Notice. This Notice is available through the USDA
Rural Development Web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/Energy.html.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Purpose of the Rural Energy for America Program. The program is
designed to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses
reduce energy costs and consumption and help meet the Nation's critical
energy needs.
B. Statutory Authority. This program is authorized under 7 U.S.C.
8107.
C. Definition of Terms. The definitions applicable to this Notice
are published at 7 CFR 4280.103. In addition, the following definition
applies to this Notice.
Hybrid. A combination of two or more renewable energy technologies
that are incorporated into a unified system to support a single
project.
II. Award Information
A. Available Funds. The amount of funds available for renewable
energy systems and energy efficiency improvements in Fiscal Year 2014
will be approximately $12.38 million in mandatory grant program level
and approximately $57.8 million in guaranteed loan program level. For
renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant
projects only, there will be an allocation of funds to each State, and
the Rural Development's National Office will maintain a reserve of
funds. To ensure compliance with 7 U.S.C. 8107-(e), the Agency will use
not less than 20 percent of the funds made available to REAP in Fiscal
Year 2014 to fund grants of $20,000 or less.
B. Approximate Number of Awards. The number of awards will depend
on amount of funds made available and on the number of eligible
applicants participating in this program.
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C. State and National Competitions. Renewable energy system and
energy efficiency improvement applications for Fiscal Year 2014 funds
will compete for funds allocated to their State for competition.
Separate competitions will be held for (1) grant only and grant and
guaranteed loan combination applications; and (2) guaranteed loan only
applications. Grant only and grant and guaranteed loan combination
applications will have one State competition. All unfunded eligible
grant only and grant and guaranteed loan combination applications
received by July 7, 2014, will be competed against other grant only and
grant and guaranteed loan combination applications from other States at
a final national competition. National competitions will be held
monthly for guaranteed loan only applications. A minimum score of 50 is
required for guaranteed loan only applications to compete in the
National competitions. Finally, all unfunded eligible guaranteed loan
only applications received by July 31, 2014, will be competed against
other guaranteed loan only applications from other States at a final
national competition if the guaranteed loan reserves have not been
completely depleted. If funds remain after the final guaranteed loan
only national competition, the Agency may elect to utilize budget
authority to fund additional grant only and grant and guaranteed loan
combination applications that competed in the national competition.
D. Type of Instrument. Grant, guaranteed loan, and grant/guaranteed
loan combinations.
E. Funding Limitations. The following funding limitations apply to
applications submitted under this Notice.
(1) Maximum grant assistance to an entity. For the purposes of this
Notice, the maximum amount of grant assistance to an entity will not
exceed $750,000 for Fiscal Year 2014 based on the total amount of
renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grants
awarded to an entity under REAP.
(2) Maximum percentage of Agency funding. The Food, Conservation,
and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law 110-234, 122 Stat. 93 (May 22, 2008)
(2008 Farm Bill) mandates the maximum percentages of funding that USDA
Rural Development will provide. Within the maximum funding amounts
specified in this Notice, renewable energy system and energy efficiency
improvement funding approved for guaranteed loan only requests and for
combination guaranteed loan and grant requests will not exceed 75
percent of eligible project costs, with the grant portion not to exceed
25 percent of total eligible project costs, whether the grant is part
of a combination request or is a stand-alone grant.
(3) Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement
grant-only applications. For renewable energy system grants, the
minimum grant is $2,500 and the maximum is $500,000. For energy
efficiency improvement grants, the minimum grant is $1,500 and the
maximum grant is $250,000.
(4) Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement loan
guarantee-only applications. For renewable energy system and energy
efficiency improvement loan guarantees, the minimum guaranteed loan
amount is $5,000 and the maximum amount of a guaranteed loan to be
provided to a borrower is $25 million.
(5) Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement
guaranteed loan and grant combination applications. Funding for grant
and loan combination packages for renewable energy systems and energy
efficiency improvement projects are subject to the funding limitations
specified in Section II.E.(2). The maximum amount for the grant portion
is $500,000 for renewable energy systems and $250,000 for energy
efficiency improvements. The minimum amount of the grant portion is
$1,500 for either renewable energy systems or energy efficiency
improvements. For the guarantee portion, the maximum amount is $25
million and the minimum amount is $5,000.
F. Universal Identifier and System for Awards Management (SAM).
Unless exempt under 2 CFR 25.110, all applicants must:
(1) Be registered in the SAM prior to submitting an application or
plan;
(2) Maintain an active SAM registration with current information at
all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application
or plan under consideration by the Agency; and
(3) Provide its Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System
(DUNS) number in each application or plan it submits to the Agency.
(4) At the time the Agency is ready to make an award, if the
applicant has not complied with paragraph F(1) through F(3) of this
section, the Agency may determine the applicant is not eligible to
receive the award.
G. Transparency Act Reporting. All recipients of Federal financial
assistance are required to report information about first-tier
subawards and executive compensation in accordance with 2 CFR part 170.
So long as an entity applicant does not have an exception under 2 CFR
170.110(b), the applicant must have the necessary processes and systems
in place to comply with the reporting requirements should the applicant
receive funding. See 2 CFR 170.200(b).
III. Eligibility Information
A. Eligible Applicants. To be eligible for this program, an
applicant must meet the eligibility requirements specified in 7 CFR
4280.109, 7 CFR 4280.110(c), and, as applicable, 7 CFR 4280.112, or 7
CFR 4280.122.
For the purpose of this Notice, and in addition to meeting the
small business size determination as defined under small business in 7
CFR 4280.103, rural small business applicants must demonstrate that the
majority (i.e., 51 percent or more) of their past 3 years' annual
receipts from their business operation are derived from a rural area.
If the rural small business applicant has not engaged in business
operations for the past 3 years, then information for as long as the
rural small business applicant has been in business must be submitted.
To ensure that there is sufficient information for the Agency to make
this determination, rural small business applicants, as part of their
application requirements in 7 CFR 4280.116(b)(3)(v)(A), should list the
physical address, total annual receipts, and number of employees for
each urban or rural location. The Agency will make this determination
for rural small business applicants that do not have any annual
receipts (new businesses only) on the location of the rural small
business applicant.
B. Eligible Lenders. To be eligible for this program, lenders must
meet the eligibility requirements in 7 CFR 4280.130.
C. Eligible Projects. To be eligible for this program, a project
must meet the eligibility requirements specified in 7 CFR 4280.113, and
7 CFR 4280.123, as applicable.
IV. Fiscal Year 2014 Application and Submission Information
Applicants seeking to participate in this program must submit
applications in accordance with this Notice and 7 CFR part 4280,
subpart B, as applicable. Applicants must submit complete applications
containing all parts necessary for the Agency to determine applicant
and project eligibility, to score the application, and to conduct the
technical evaluation, as applicable in order to be considered. Due to
the competitive nature of this program, information received by the
Agency, that would impact the priority score and ranking of an
application in Fiscal Year 2014 competitions cannot be considered
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by the Agency if received after the dates published in the Dates
section of this Notice.
A. Where To Obtain Applications
Applicants may obtain applications from any USDA Rural Development
Energy Coordinator, as identified via the following link: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_Energy_CoordinatorList.html. In addition, for
grant applications, applicants may access the electronic grant
application for REAP at http://www.Grants.gov. To locate the
downloadable application package for this program, the applicant must
use the program's CFDA Number 10.868 or FedGrants Funding Opportunity
Number, which can be found at http://www.Grants.gov.
When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find information about
submitting an application electronically through the site. To use
Grants.gov, all applicants must have a DUNS number (unless the
applicant is an individual), which can be obtained at no cost via a
toll-free request line at 1-866-705-5711 or online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. USDA Rural Development strongly recommends that
applicants do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the
application process through Grants.gov.
B. When To Submit
Complete applications submitted under this Notice must be received
by the appropriate USDA Rural Development State Office no later than
4:30 p.m. local time on the applicable date as identified in the DATES
section of this Notice, in order to be considered for Fiscal Year 2014
funds. Any application received after 4:30 p.m. local time on the
applicable date, regardless of the postmark on the application, will
not be considered for Fiscal Year 2014 funds.
C. Where To Submit
All renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement
applications are to be submitted to the USDA Rural Development Energy
Coordinator in the State in which the applicant's proposed project is
located. A list of USDA Rural Development Energy Coordinators is
available via the following link: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_Energy_CoordinatorList.html. Alternatively, for grant only
applications, applicants may submit their electronic applications to
the Agency via the Grants.gov Web site.
D. How To Submit
Applicants may submit their applications either as hard copy or
electronically as specified in the following paragraphs. When
submitting an application as hard copy, applicants must submit one
original.
(1) Grant applications. All grant applications may be submitted
either as hard copy to the appropriate Rural Development Energy
Coordinator or electronically using the Government-wide Grants.gov Web
site. Users of Grants.gov who download a copy of the application
package may complete it off line and then upload and submit the
application via the Grants.gov site, including all information
typically included on the application, and all necessary assurances and
certifications. After electronically submitting an application through
the Web site, the applicant will receive an automated acknowledgement
from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number.
(2) Guaranteed loan applications. Guaranteed loan only applications
(i.e., those that are not part of a guaranteed loan/grant combination
request) must be submitted as hard copy.
(3) Guaranteed loan/grant combination applications. Applications
for guaranteed loans/grants (combination applications) must be
submitted as hard copy.
E. Other Submission Requirements and Information
(1) Application restrictions. Applicants may apply for only one
renewable energy system project and one energy efficiency improvement
project in Fiscal Year 2014.
(2) Environmental information. For the Agency to consider an
application, the application must include all environmental review
documents with supporting documentation in accordance with 7 CFR part
1940, subpart G. Any required environmental review must be completed in
full prior to obligation of funds or the approval of the application.
(3) Original signatures. USDA Rural Development may request that
the applicant provide original signatures on forms submitted through
Grants.gov at a later date.
(4) Form AD 2106. Each applicant is requested to submit Form AD
2106, ``Form to Assist in Assessment of USDA Compliance with Civil
Rights Laws,'' with their application. This form requests information
on the applicant's race, ethnicity, and gender. The information
contained in this form will allow the Agency to evaluate its outreach
efforts to under-served and under-represented populations. Applicants
are encouraged to furnish this form and the information requested with
their application, but are not required to do so. Not furnishing this
information will neither affect an applicant's eligibility nor the
likelihood of an applicant receiving an award.
This form is available from any USDA Rural Development Energy
Coordinator, as identified via the following link: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_Energy_CoordinatorList.html, and from http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eForms/welcomeAction.do?Home.
(5) Award considerations. In determining the amount of a renewable
energy system or energy efficiency improvement grant or loan guarantee,
the Agency will consider the six criteria specified in 7 CFR
4280.115(g) or 7 CFR 4280.124(f), as applicable.
(6) Hybrid projects. If the application is for a hybrid project,
technical reports, as required under 7 CFR 4280.116(b)(7), must be
prepared for each technology that comprises the hybrid project.
(7) Multiple facilities. Applicants may submit a single application
that proposes to apply the same renewable energy system (including the
same hybrid project) or energy efficiency improvement across multiple
facilities. For example, a rural small business owner owns five retail
stores and wishes to install solar panels on each store. The rural
small business owner may submit a single application for installing the
solar panels on the five stores. However, if this same owner wishes to
install solar panels on three of the five stores and wind turbines for
the other two stores, the owner can only submit an application for
either the solar panels or for the wind turbines in the same fiscal
year.
V. Program Provisions
This section of the Notice identifies the provisions of 7 CFR 4280,
subpart B applicable to each type of funding available under REAP.
A. General
The provisions specified in 7 CFR 4280.101 through 4280.111 apply
to this Notice.
B. Renewable Energy System and Energy Efficiency Improvement Project
Grants
In addition to the other provisions of this Notice, the
requirements specified in 7 CFR 4280.112 through 4280.121 apply to
renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement projects
grants.
C. Renewable Energy System and Energy Efficiency Improvement Project
Guaranteed Loans
In addition to the other provisions of this Notice, the
requirements specified in 7 CFR 4280.122 through 4280.160
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apply to guaranteed loans for renewable energy system and energy
efficiency improvement projects. For Fiscal Year 2014, the guarantee
fee amount is 1 percent of the guaranteed portion of the loan and the
annual renewal fee is 0.250 percent (one-quarter of 1 percent) of the
guaranteed portion of the loan.
D. Renewable Energy System and Energy Efficiency Improvement Project
Grant and Guaranteed Loan Combined Requests
In addition to the other provisions of this Notice, the
requirements specified in 7 CFR 4280.165 apply to a combined grant and
guaranteed loan for renewable energy system and energy efficiency
improvement projects. Any applicant that submits a combined grant and
guaranteed loan application will not be allowed to modify their
application to a grant only or guaranteed loan only application after
the applicable submission date and time, as identified in the DATES
section of this Notice, and remain eligible for Fiscal Year 2014 funds.
E. Resubmittal of Fiscal Year 2013 Renewable Energy System and Energy
Efficiency Improvement Applications
If an application for a project was submitted for the first time in
Fiscal Year 2013 and that initial application was determined eligible
but was not funded, the Agency will consider that initial Fiscal Year
2013 application for funding in Fiscal Year 2014 as provided in this
section. If an applicant has already re-submitted in an earlier fiscal
year (i.e. initial application was submitted in Fiscal Year 2012 or
earlier), the applicant must submit a new application meeting the
requirements of this Notice in order to be considered for Fiscal Year
2014 funds for that project and a new submission date of record will be
established.
(1) Written request. An applicant must submit a written request for
the Agency to consider its Fiscal Year 2013 application for Fiscal Year
2014 funds.
(i) For a guaranteed loan and grant combination application, both
the lender and applicant must submit the written request to the Agency
in order to be considered for Fiscal Year 2014 funds.
(ii) Except for simplified applications, the applicant must
provide, with the written request, the applicant's current balance
sheet and income statement that meets the program requirements outlined
in 7 CFR 4280.116(b)(4). Notwithstanding the requirements outlined in 7
CFR 4280.116(b)(4), the current balance sheet and income statement must
not be more than 90 days old relative to the date the applicant submits
the written request.
(iii) The Agency is requesting that each applicant submit Form AD
2106, ``Form to Assist in Assessment of USDA Compliance with Civil
Rights Laws,'' with their written request. This form requests
information on the applicant's race, ethnicity, and gender. The
information contained in this form will allow the Agency to evaluate
its outreach efforts to under-served and under-represented populations.
Applicants are encouraged to furnish this form and the information
requested with their application, but are not required to do so. An
applicant's eligibility or the likelihood of receiving an award will
not be impacted by furnishing or not furnishing this information. This
form is available from any USDA Rural Development Energy Coordinator,
as provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this Notice,
and from http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eForms/welcomeAction.do?Home.
(iv) Written requests to consider Fiscal Year 2013 applications for
Fiscal Year 2014 funds may be submitted at any time during Fiscal Year
2014, by the applicable submission date and time, identified in the
DATES section of this Notice. Written requests received after the
identified time and date will not be accepted by the Agency and the
applicant's Fiscal Year 2013 application will not be considered for
Fiscal Year 2014 funds and be withdrawn.
(2) Balance sheet and income statements. Upon receipt of the
balance sheet and income statements required under paragraph E(1)(ii)
of this Notice, the Agency will determine whether there is any change
to the application's score. If there is a change to the application's
score, then the provisions specified in paragraph E(3) apply. If there
is no change to the application's score, then the provisions of either
paragraph E(3) or E(4) apply as applicable.
(3) Revisions/change in score to Fiscal Year 2013 applications. If
an applicant plans to make any revisions to its Fiscal Year 2013
application or if the current balance sheet and income statement
submitted under paragraph E(1)(ii) of this Notice results in a change
to the application's score (even if no other revisions to the Fiscal
Year 2013 application are planned), a new application meeting the
requirements of this Notice must be submitted in order to be considered
for Fiscal Year 2014 funds and a new submission date of record will be
established.
(4) No revisions/changes in score to Fiscal Year 2013 applications.
If an applicant does not plan to make any revisions to its Fiscal Year
2013 application and the current balance and income statement submitted
under paragraph E(1)(ii) of this Notice does not result in a change to
the application's score, a new application is not required and the
submission date of record remains unchanged from its original Fiscal
Year 2013 submittal date.
F. Award Process
In addition to the process for awarding funding under 7 CFR 4280,
subpart B, the Agency will make awards using the following
considerations:
(1) Funding renewable energy system and energy efficiency
improvement grant and grant/guaranteed loan awards. Considering the
availability of funds, the Agency will fund those grant only
applications and grant/guaranteed loan applications that score the
highest based on the grant score of the application; that is, the grant
score an application receives will be compared to the grant scores of
other applications, with higher scoring applications receiving first
consideration for funding.
(2) Guaranteed loan only awards. Considering the availability of
funds, the Agency will fund those guaranteed loan only applications
that score the highest compared to the scores of other applications,
with higher scoring applications receiving first consideration for
funding.
(3) Evaluation criteria. Agency personnel will score each
application based on the evaluation criteria specified in 7 CFR
4280.117(c), or 7 CFR 4280.129(c), as applicable.
For hybrid applications, each technical report will be evaluated
and scored based on its own merit. The scores for the technologies will
be consolidated using a weighted average approach based on the
percentage of the cost for each system to the total eligible project
cost.
Example: A hybrid project contains a wind and solar photovoltaic
components. The wind system will cost $30,000 (75 percent of total
eligible project cost) and the solar will cost $10,000 (25 percent
of total eligible project cost). The wind technical report was
evaluated and assigned a total score of 22 points, while the solar
report was evaluated and assigned a total score of 31 points. In
this scenario, the final technical score would be assigned as
follows: (22 x 75 percent) + (31 x 25 percent) = 24.25.
(4) Applications that receive the same score. If applications score
the same and if remaining funds are insufficient to fund each such
application, the Agency may distribute the remaining funds to a
[[Page 25569]]
lower scoring application. Before this occurs, the Agency will provide
the applicants of the higher scoring applications the opportunity to
reduce the amount of the applicants' request to the amount of funds
available. If the applicant(s) agrees to lower their request, the
applicant(s) must certify that the purposes of the project will be met
and provide the remaining total funds needed to complete the project.
At its discretion, the Agency may also elect to allow the remaining
funds to be carried over to the next fiscal year rather than selecting
a lower scoring application or distributing funds on a pro-rata basis.
VI. Administration Information
A. Notifications
(1) Applicants. The notification provisions of 7 CFR 4280.111 apply
to this Notice.
(2) Lenders. The notification provisions of 7 CFR 4280.129(a) apply
to this Notice.
B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
(1) Exception authority. The provisions of 7 CFR 4280.104 apply to
this Notice.
(2) Appeals. A person may seek a review of an Agency decision or
appeal to the National Appeals Division in accordance with 7 CFR
4280.105.
(3) Conflict of interest. The provisions of 7 CFR 4280.106 apply to
this Notice.
(4) USDA Departmental Regulations and other laws that contains
other compliance requirements. The provisions of 7 CFR 4280.107 and 7
CFR 4280.108 apply to this Notice.
VII. Agency Contacts
For assistance on this program, please contact a USDA Rural
Development Energy Coordinator, as identified via the following link:
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_Energy_CoordinatorList.html.
VIII. 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 [email protected].
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).
Dated: April 18, 2014.
Andrew Jermolowicz,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-10054 Filed 5-2-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P