[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 128 (Thursday, July 8, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 36127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14565]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Notice of Request for Information (RFI) Regarding Hydropower 
Incentive Program Definitions

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Request for information (RFI).

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) invites public comment on 
its Request for Information (RFI) number DE-FOA-0002511 regarding a 
proposed definition for areas in which there is inadequate electric 
service. This is a new application requirement added to DOE's 
hydroelectric incentive program through the Energy Act of 2020. DOE's 
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Water Power 
Technologies Office (WPTO) seeks input on the proposed definition, 
which will apply to DOE's hydroelectric incentive program.

DATES: Responses to the RFI must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. 
EST on September 7, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties are to submit comments electronically to 
[email protected]. Include definition of ``an area in which 
there is inadequate electric service'' concerning Section 242 in the 
subject of the title. Only electronic responses will be accepted. The 
complete RFI is located at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions may be addressed to Corey 
Vezina, email at [email protected] or phone number (240) 562-
1382. Further instruction can be found in the RFI document posted on 
EERE Exchange.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this RFI is to solicit 
feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government 
agencies, and other stakeholders on issues related to the proposed 
definition of ``an area in which there is inadequate electric 
service.'' WPTO is updating its application requirements for the 
hydroelectric incentive program authorized under Section 242 of the 
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-58), 42 U.S.C. 15881. Section 
3005 of the Energy Act of 2020 (Pub. L. 116-260) amended Section 242 of 
the Energy Policy Act of 2005 by expanding the definition of a 
qualified hydroelectric facility to include certain facilities 
``constructed in an area in which there is inadequate electric 
service.'' To define this term, section 3005 requires the Secretary to 
take into consideration (a) access to the electric grid; (b) the 
frequency of electric outages; or (c) the affordability of electricity. 
EERE is specifically interested in identifying potential issues or 
conflicts that may arise from applying the proposed definition during 
the application review process. This is solely a request for 
information and not a Funding Opportunity Announcement. EERE is not 
accepting applications at this time.
    Confidential Business Information: According to 10 CFR 1004.11, any 
person submitting information that he or she believes to be 
confidential and exempt by law from public disclosure should submit via 
email, postal mail, or hand delivery two well-marked copies: One copy 
of the document marked ``confidential'' including all the information 
believed to be confidential, and one copy of the document marked ``non-
confidential'' with the information believed to be confidential 
deleted. Submit these documents via email or on a CD, if feasible. DOE 
will make its own determination about the confidential status of the 
information and treat it according to its determination.
    It is DOE's policy that all comments may be included in the public 
docket, without change and as received, including any personal 
information provided in the comments (except information deemed to be 
exempt from public disclosure).
    Signing Authority: This document of the Department of Energy was 
signed on June 17, 2021, by Kelly Speakes-Backman, Principal Deputy 
Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, pursuant to delegated authority from 
the Secretary of Energy. That document with the original signature and 
date is maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in 
compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the 
undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to 
sign and submit the document in electronic format for publication, as 
an official document of the Department of Energy. This administrative 
process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon 
publication in the Federal Register.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on July 2, 2021.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2021-14565 Filed 7-7-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P