[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 101 (Thursday, May 23, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 45563]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-11349]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Parts 1710, 1717, 1721, 1726, and 1730

[Docket No. RUS-23-ELECTRIC-0024]
RIN 0572-AC64


Revision to Electric Program Operating Policies and Procedures

AGENCY: Rural Utilities, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Final rule; confirmation.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or Agency), an agency in the 
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development 
Mission area, published a final rule with comment in the Federal 
Register on March 11, 2024, to provide more flexibility for the RUS 
Electric Program borrowers to complete emergency repairs while 
maintaining the ability to receive RUS financing, to delete unnecessary 
and outdated requirements imposed on electric borrowers and applicants, 
and to provide flexibility in selecting construction procurement 
methods that better support applicant needs in awarding construction 
contracts. Through this action, RUS is confirming the final rule as it 
was published.

DATES: The final rule published March 11, 2024, at 89 FR 17271, is 
confirmed as of June 10, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Bartholomew, Rural Utilities 
Service Electric Program, Rural Development, United States Department 
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1560, Washington, DC 
20250; 704-544-4612 [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Rural Development is a mission area within 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) comprising the Rural 
Utilities Service, Rural Housing Service, and Rural Business-
Cooperative Service. Rural Development's mission is to increase 
economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for all rural 
Americans. Rural Development meets its mission by providing loans, loan 
guarantees, grants, and technical assistance through numerous programs 
aimed at creating and improving housing, business, and infrastructure 
throughout rural America.
    The RUS Electric Program provides funding to maintain, expand, 
upgrade, and modernize America's rural electric infrastructure. The 
loans and loan guarantees finance the construction or improvement of 
electric distribution, transmission, and generation facilities in rural 
areas. In an effort by the RUS Electric Program to administer its 
program in an efficient and effective manner while improving its 
customer service and experience, and in response to requests from the 
RUS Electric Program borrowers, the Electric Program undertook a 
systematic review of regulations and procedures in place to administer 
its program. In addition to this final rule, the Electric Program has 
completed three other streamlining efforts to date.
    The final rule that published March 11, 2024 (89 FR 17271), 
included a 60-day comment period that ended on May 10, 2024. No 
comments pertaining to the final rule were received. The Agency 
confirms the final rule without change.

Andrew Berke,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-11349 Filed 5-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P