Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program

USDA published a notice yesterday in the Federal Register announcing it is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2008 to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements for agriculture producers and rural small businesses in eligible rural areas.  Funding will be available in the form of grants, guaranteed loans, and combined guaranteed loans and grant applications. For FY 2008 there is approximately $15.9 million in funding for competitive grants and $205 million in authority for guaranteed loans.  Funding for grant and loan combination packages will be funded from the same allocation as loan guarantees.   

I have attached the Federal Register document to this email.  Please read it carefully.  Pay particular attention to the mention of the Environmental Assessment.  The environmental process should begin right away.  Please contact me for information on environmental requirements for specific projects.

This year there will be two competitive grant cycles.  The first deadline is April 15, 2008.  Applications that are not funded in the first competition will automatically be considered under the second competition.  Grant applications in the second cycle are due no later than June 16, 2008.  Loan applications and grant/loan combination applications will be evaluated on a bi-weekly basis until June 16.  These will be funded on a first-come first-serve basis.  I would suggest submitting a combination application as soon as possible.  Please note that combination applications must score at least 84 points to remain eligible. 

Please see the following websites for more information on the program:
    
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/index.html - Section 9006 website

A copy of the regulation can be found at the above website, but a more reader-friendly version is available at this link:  http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/regs/pdf/4280b.pdf

Application templates and other useful items can be found at the Environmental Law and Policy Center website.  Please note that this is not a USDA Rural Development website. 

www.farmenergy.org

http://www.agmrc.org/agmrc/provider_search.asp - Link to a list of grant writers.    

I look forward to working with you, and feel free to contact me with any questions.  

Molly K. Hammond
USDA Rural Development - Illinois
Business Cooperative Specialist
Phone:  217-403-6210
Fax:  217-403-6215