[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 116 (Friday, June 16, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39395-39396]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-12849]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

[Docket No. RUS-23-ELECTRIC-0005]


Amended Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Empowering Rural 
America (New ERA) Program

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; amendment.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the Agency), a Rural 
Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture 
(USDA), announced its intent to solicit Letters of Interest (LOI) for 
applications under the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program in a 
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on May 16, 2023, in the Federal 
Register. In addition, the NOFO announced the eligibility requirements, 
application process and deadlines, and the criteria that RUS will use 
to assess New ERA Applications. This notice is making corrections and 
amendments to clarify timelines for application submission, ensure 
applicants know they are required to establish a Verified 
eAuthentication ID, inform applicants that they are eligible for the 
New ERA Program even if they are subject to a ``cooling off period'' 
under the Rural Electrification Act, and to notify applicants that the 
Agency will provide general assistance to applicants through the RUS' 
General Field Representatives (GFRs) prior to LOI submissions.

DATES: Letters of Interest can be submitted beginning at 11:59 p.m. 
Eastern Time (ET) on July 31, 2023, and until 11:59 p.m. ET on August 
31, 2023. Letters of Interest will not be accepted after 11:59 p.m. ET 
on August 31, 2023.
    Application Process: Applicants must submit an LOI in order to be 
considered for an Invitation to Proceed. An Eligible Entity that is 
invited by RUS to proceed will receive an Invitation to Proceed and 
will have sixty (60) days to complete and submit a New ERA Application 
beginning from the date the Invitation to Proceed is emailed to the 
Applicant. If the sixty (60)-day deadline to submit the completed 
application falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a Federal holiday, the 
application is due the next business day. RUS reserves the right, in 
its sole discretion, to extend the sixty (60)-day deadline upon the 
written request of the Applicant if the Applicant demonstrates to the 
satisfaction of the Administrator that exceptional circumstances exist 
to warrant the extension. New ERA Awards will be made as soon as 
possible following the submission of a New ERA Application, and all New 
ERA funds must be fully disbursed on or before September 30, 2031.

ADDRESSES: 
    Letters of Interest (LOI) Submissions. All LOIs must be submitted 
to RUS electronically through an RUS on-line application portal. The 
Agency will finalize the specific requirements of submitting the LOI 
through the on-line application portal by separate notice in the 
Federal Register, the RUS website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/electric-programs/empowering-rural-america-new-era-program, 
and Grants.gov on or before July 31, 2023.
    Application Submissions. Eligible Entities selected to proceed with 
the New ERA Application must submit a completed New ERA Application 
package in accordance with the instructions that will be provided in 
the RUS Invitation to Proceed.
    Other Information: Additional information, resources, and sample 
LOI are available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/electric-programs/empowering-rural-america-new-era-program. The IRA 
Funding for Rural Development website is located at www.rd.usda.gov/inflation-reduction-act.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher McLean, Assistant 
Administrator, Electric Program, Rural Utilities Service, Rural 
Development, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW, STOP 1568, Washington, DC 20250-1560; Telephone: 202-690-
4492. Email to: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Corrections and Amendments

    This program was initially announced in the Federal Register on May 
16, 2023, in FR Doc 2023-10393. As of this publication, the following 
changes are being implemented.
    1. On page 31225, in the first column, section D.2. in paragraph 
ii, the number of days to submit an application package after receipt 
of an Invitation to Proceed is amended from 90 day to 60 days. This 
section is amended and restated to read as follows:
    ii. Phase 2--Application Submission. Upon receiving an Invitation 
to Proceed, the Applicant must submit its application package within 
sixty (60) days of receipt of such invitation. The Applicant's 
application package must contain the applicable information and 
documents required in 7 CFR part 1710, subpart D as well as the 
following information and documentation:
    2. On page 31227, in the third column, section D.7, paragraph ii is 
being corrected from ninety (90) days to sixty (60) days. This section 
is amended and restated to read as follows:
    ii. By submitting the LOI, the Eligible Entity certifies to RUS 
that it has the intent and ability to submit a complete New ERA 
Application within sixty (60) days of RUS emailing an Invitation to 
Proceed should RUS provide such Invitation to Proceed.
    3. On page 31228, in the second column, section D.7 is being 
amended to add two new paragraphs, ix and x to read as follows:
    ix. Prior to accessing the online application window to submit an 
LOI or an Application, an Applicant must obtain a Verified USDA 
eAuthentication (eAuth) account for each member of their staff 
requiring access to the online application window. If an Applicant or 
staff member does not have a Verified eAuth account, they will need to 
create an account or upgrade an existing account. To do so, a person 
will need to follow the instructions on the USDA eAuth website to 
create a Verified eAuth account or upgrade an existing account from 
``unverified'' to ``verified.'' The USDA eAuth website can be found at: 
https://www.eauth.usda.gov/eauth/b/usda/home.
    x. The 120-month or 180-month exclusions referenced in sec. 306B of 
the RE Act and related regulations do not apply to financing under this 
program.
    4. On page 31232, in the second column, section I is being amended 
to add a new paragraph 9 to read as follows:
    9. Application of General Assistance. Prior to official submission 
of an LOI,

[[Page 39396]]

Applicants may request general assistance from the Agency if such 
requests are made prior to August 17, 2023. The Agency may provide 
general assistance as it is able, and Applicants may request assistance 
in the form of general assistance and consultation with an RUS GFR. 
Please note that RUS GFR shall not provide strategic submission or 
strategic LOI advice, and applicants are fully responsible for their 
submissions. Assistance may also be requested to Agency staff in the 
form of requests to speak at meetings, events, and conferences to 
explain program provisions and answer questions about this funding 
announcement. Such requests and responses will be posted to the New ERA 
FAQ page. Information on contacting an RUS GFR can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/electric-gfr. For requests regarding 
speaking engagements, please email: [email protected].

Andrew Berke,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, USDA Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 2023-12849 Filed 6-15-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P