[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 219 (Monday, November 15, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 65554-65555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-25239]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

7 CFR Part 4280

RIN 0570-AA50


Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements 
Grant, Guaranteed Loan, and Direct Loan Program

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule: extension of comment period.

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

SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) is extending the 
deadline of November 4, 2004, for submitting comments regarding the 
proposed Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements 
Grant, Guaranteed Loan, and Direct Loan Program. The program will 
assist farmers, ranchers, and small rural businesses to purchase 
renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. The 
proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on October 5, 2004 
(69 FR 59650). This extension will allow additional time for the public 
to submit comments.

DATES: Comments must be submitted by December 15, 2004.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to this rule by any of the following 
methods:
    Agency Web Site: http://rdinit.usda.gov/regs/. Follow instructions 
for submitting comments on the Web site.
    E-Mail: [email protected]. Include the RIN No. 0570-AA50 in the 
subject line of the message.
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
    Mail: Submit written comments via the U.S. Postal Service to the 
Branch Chief, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-0742.
    Hand Delivery/Courier: Submit written comments via Federal Express 
Mail or another courier service requiring a street address to the 
Branch Chief, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 300 7th Street, SW., 7th Floor, Washington, 
DC 20024.
    All written comments will be available for public inspection during 
regular working hours at 300 7th Street, SW., 7th Floor, address listed 
above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Georg A. Shultz, Special Advisor for 
Renewable Energy Policy and Programs, Office of the Deputy 
Administrator Business Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Mail 
Stop 3220, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-3220, 
telephone: (202) 720-2976.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: RBS published the notice of proposed rule 
making with a 30-day comment period. The reason for this limited time 
for comments was based primarily on the need to have a published final 
rule in time for the implementation of the program in fiscal year (FY) 
2005. The Agency felt that since the program outlined in the proposed 
rule is similar

[[Page 65555]]

in scope as the Notices of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the grant 
program published in FY 2003 and FY 2004 and the Agency's current 
Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program forms the basis of the 
proposed guaranteed loan program, that a 30-day period would be 
sufficient. The additional 30-day comment period will delay publication 
of the final rule a commensurate time. The delay in publication will 
create additional time constraints on applicants. It will also 
constrain the time for processing the applications, including meeting 
environmental assessment requirements. RBS is extending the comment 
period in response to numerous requests from the public for additional 
time to comment.

    Dated: November 5, 2004.
Gilbert Gonzalez,
Acting Under Secretary, Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 04-25239 Filed 11-12-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P