[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 226 (Friday, November 22, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70399-70400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-29703]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of a Public Meeting on Implementation of Section 9006 of 
the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), an Agency in the 
Rural Development Mission Area of the United States Department of 
Agriculture, will hold a public meeting entitled ``Expanding Rural 
Renewable Energy Systems.'' The purpose of this event is to initiate a 
dialogue about how to implement a loan guarantee, direct loan, and 
grant program to finance

[[Page 70400]]

renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. 
Section 9006 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 
(Pub. L. 107-71) (the Act) provides $23 million annually for this 
purpose. The program will be made available to farmers, ranchers, and 
rural small businesses. We anticipate that this program will support 
energy self-sufficiency and promote rural economic development.

DATES: The meeting will be held on December 3, 2002. Registration will 
start at 8:30 a.m.; the program will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude by 3 
p.m.

ADDRESSES: Jefferson Auditorium, South Agriculture Building, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC Participants should enter the building through the 4th wing entrance 
of the South Building located on Independence Avenue between 12th and 
14th Street. Valid photo identification is required for clearance by 
building security personnel.

Instructions for Participation: Although registration is encouraged, 
walk-ins will be accommodated to the extent that space permits. 
Registered participants will be given priority for making presentations 
prior to walk-ins. Anyone interested in renewable energy systems and 
energy efficiency improvements is encouraged to attend the public 
meeting. Presentations will be limited to 10 minutes in duration. To 
register and request time for an oral statement, contact Elsa De Leon, 
Office of the Deputy Administrator for Business Programs, Room 5050 
South Agriculture Building, Stop 3220, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-3220; Email: [email protected]; Telephone: 202-
720-0813. To submit comments by email, send to [email protected] in 
an ASCII file. Written comments should follow the issues described in 
the Supplementary Information section of this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pandor Hadjy, Assistant Deputy 
Administrator, Business Programs, RBS, Room 5050 South Agriculture 
Building, Stop 3220, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20250-3220, telephone: 202-720-9693.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The oral and written information obtained 
from interested parties will be considered in implementing provisions 
of Section 9006 of the 2002 Act, which authorizes the Department to 
make loan guarantees, loans, and grants to farmers, ranchers, and rural 
small businesses for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency 
improvements. In order to assure that the Act is implemented to meet 
constituent needs, RBS is sponsoring a listening forum and soliciting 
written comments to encourage public participation in gathering input 
and comments and in making recommendations on program implementation. 
All comments are welcome, and no attempt will be made to establish a 
concensus.
    RBS is particularly interested in receiving comments on the 
following specific issues as they relate to Section 9006:
    1. The Act stipulates that financial assistance may be provided to 
purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency 
improvements.

--What projects should be eligible for funding?
--Should certain types of projects receive priority for funding?
--Should preference be given to new, innovative technologies or proven 
technologies?

    2. Loan guarantees, direct loans, and grant programs are authorized 
under the legislation.

--What type of financial assistance is most in need (i.e., grants, 
direct loans, or loan guarantees)?

    3. Section 9006 states that, in determining the amount of grant or 
loan, the Secretary shall take into consideration as applicable:
    a. The type of renewable energy system to be purchased;
    b. The estimated quantity of energy to be generated by the 
renewable energy system;
    c. The expected environmental benefits of the renewable energy 
system;
    d. The extent to which the renewable energy system will be 
replicable;
    e. The amount of energy savings expected to be derived from the 
activity, as demonstrated by an energy audit comparable to an energy 
audit under Section 9005 of the Act;
    f. The estimated length of time it would take for energy savings 
generated by the activity to equal the cost of the activity; and
    g. Other factors as appropriate.

--What other factors, if any, should the Department consider in 
determining the amount of grant or loan?
--Should certain types of projects or geographic areas be targeted and 
given preference for financial assistance?

    4. The Act states that the amount of grant shall not exceed 25 
percent of the cost of the activity funded under the program. 
Additionally, the combined amount of a grant and loan made or 
guaranteed shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the activity 
funded.

--What are various sources of program matching funds (i.e., other 
Federal, State, local, or private programs)?

    Those who wish to make oral presentations should restrict their 
presentation to 10 minutes and are encouraged to have written copies of 
their complete comments, including exhibits, for inclusion in the 
Agency record. Those who register their attendance at the meeting, but 
have not been scheduled in advance to present oral testimony, will be 
given an opportunity to do so if time permits. Otherwise, the 
opportunity will be given to submit their views in writing prior to 
December 6, 2002. Participants who require a sign language interpreter 
or other special accommodations should contact Ms. De Leon as directed 
above.
    Copies of the presentations will not be available for distribution 
from the Department. However, they will be available for public 
inspection in Room 5050 South Agriculture Building, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 
4:30 p.m. EST.

    Dated: November 18, 2002.
Thomas C. Dorr,
Under Secretary, Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 02-29703 Filed 11-21-02; 8:45 am]
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