Notice2022-23519
Inflation Reduction Act Listening Session
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
October 28, 2022
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentRural Business-Cooperative ServiceRural Utilities Service
Abstract
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS) and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), agencies of the Rural Development (RD) mission areas of the United State Department of Agriculture, announce that they are hosting listening sessions for public input regarding implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. Specifically, these listening sessions will provide an opportunity for stakeholders and other interested parties to offer their comments and input.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 208 (Friday, October 28, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 208 (Friday, October 28, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65188-65190]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23519]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Rural Utilities Service
[Docket Number: RBS-22-NONE-0025]
Inflation Reduction Act Listening Session
AGENCY: Rural Business--Cooperative Service and Rural Utilities
Service, USDA.
ACTION: Request for information and notice of public listening
sessions.
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SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS) and the Rural
Utilities Service (RUS), agencies of the Rural Development (RD) mission
areas of the United State Department of Agriculture, announce that they
are hosting listening sessions for public input regarding
implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022.
Specifically, these listening sessions will provide an opportunity for
stakeholders and other interested parties to offer their comments and
input.
DATES: Written Comments: Interested parties must submit written
comments on or before November 28, 2022. All written comments received
will be publicly available on <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>.
Listening Sessions: Two virtual listening session will be held from
2-4 p.m. ET on Thursday November 3, 2022, and 2-4 p.m. ET Friday,
November 4, 2022.
November 3, 2022--This listening session will focus on Sections
22001, 22002, and 22003. The session is aimed at rural communities,
rural small businesses, and agricultural producers including renewable
energy generation providers, distribution utilities, transportation
fueling facilities, fuel distribution facilities, environmental,
community and consumer groups, industry associations, and Federal,
state, and local government and agencies. To participate interested
parties must register at <a href="https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_l_ptMftKRU2zlJPMdiXF9A">https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_l_ptMftKRU2zlJPMdiXF9A</a>.
November 4, 2022--This listening session will focus on Sections
22004. This listening session will be targeted at rural electric
cooperatives and related stakeholders as described above. To
participate interested parties must
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register at <a href="https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_HeGqpB7YTYOG6tmBjDyx7g">https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_HeGqpB7YTYOG6tmBjDyx7g</a>.
Listening Sessions will be recorded and made publicly available. If
you require special accommodations, such as a sign language
interpreter, use the contact information above. The listening session
locations are accessible to persons with disabilities.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically by the Federal
eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> and in the
``Search for Rules, Proposed Rules, Notices or Supporting Documents''
box, enter the following docket number: (RBS-22-NONE-0025). To submit
or view public comments, click ``Search'' button, select the
``Documents'' tab, then select the following document title: (Inflation
Reduction Act Listening Session) from the ``Search Results'' and select
the ``Comment'' button. Before submitting your comments, you may also
review the ``Commenter's Checklist'' (optional). Insert your comments
under the ``Comment'' title, click ``Browse'' to attach files (if
available). Input your email address and select ``Submit Comment.''
Information on using <a href="http://Regulations.gov">Regulations.gov</a>, including instructions for
accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after
the close of the comment period, is available through the site's
``FAQ'' link. Other Information: Additional information about Rural
Development and its programs is available on the internet at <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov">https://www.rd.usda.gov</a>. All comments will be available for public inspection
online at the Federal eRulemaking Portal (<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jacki Lazaruk-Ponti, Rural Development
Chief Innovation Officer at 202-692-0036. Persons with disabilities who
require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print,
audio tape, etc.) should contact the USDA Target Center at (202) 720-
2600 (voice and TDD).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: Rural Development is an advocate for rural America,
administering a multitude of programs, ranging from housing and
community facilities to infrastructure and business development. The
Agency's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the
quality of life in rural communities by providing the leadership,
infrastructure, capital, and technical support that enables rural
communities to prosper. To achieve its mission, the Agency provides
financial support, including loan guarantees, direct loans and grants,
and technical assistance to enhance the quality of life and provide the
foundation for economic development in rural areas.
The RBCS and RUS received significant funding through the Inflation
Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, Public Law Number 117-169. It is
anticipated that this funding will support the long-term resilience,
reliability, and affordability of rural electric systems by providing
financial assistance to purchase renewable energy, other zero-emission
systems, and energy efficiency improvements that will achieve the
greatest reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with the
rural electric system. Additionally, with funding received in the IRA,
Rural Development will support renewable energy and energy efficiency
projects for farms and small businesses through the Rural Energy for
America Program and invest in fueling and distribution infrastructure
to increase demand for higher blends of biofuels.
Section 22001 of the IRA provides $1 billion in budget authority
for loans for renewable energy infrastructure and requires the agency
to forgive up to 50 percent of the loan amount if the loan terms and
conditions are complied with. In addition, the Secretary may allow
forgiveness above 50 percent so long as additional criteria are met.
Eligible entities include electric service providers, including
municipals, cooperatives, investor-owned and Tribal utilities. Pursuant
to IRA all projects must be for build-out of energy conservation
systems fueled by solar, hydro, wind, geothermal and biomass, as
required by section 317 of the Rural Electrification Act (7 U.S.C.
940g), or for storage of such energy types. Priority will be given to
new construction of renewable infrastructure.
Section 22002 of the IRA provides $2.025 Billion for the Rural
Energy for America Program (REAP) which includes a $303.8 million set
aside for underutilized technologies and technical assistance. Both
amounts will be administered under REAP as a single program, as any
monies not used for underutilized technologies will revert to the
general REAP fund the following fiscal year. The federal share can
increase from 25 percent to 50 percent of total project cost.
Section 22003 of the IRA provides $500 million in grants for
infrastructure for blending, storing, supplying, or distributing
biofuels. The program may provide a federal share at up to 75% of the
total project cost.
Section 22004 of the IRA provides $9.7 billion in budget authority
for loans, grants, loan modifications and other financial assistance to
support purchase of renewable energy, renewable energy systems, zero-
emissions, and carbon capture systems to deploy such systems or to make
energy efficiency improvements to generation and transmission systems
of eligible entities. Eligible entities include electric cooperatives,
current and former RUS electric borrowers, or a cooperative that is
serving a predominantly rural area (or a wholly or jointly owned
subsidiary of such electric cooperative). Pursuant to the statute, no
eligible entity may receive an amount equal to or more than 10% ($970
million in budget authority) of the total amount made available by the
subsection (cumulative across all three products). RUS may consider
establishing lower funding limits under a Funding Opportunity
Announcement.
Rural Development is beginning the development of the funding tools
that will be used to deliver this important funding and stakeholder
feedback is vital in developing financial assistance products that will
be integral to ensuring this funding reaches the intended customers.
Rural Development will hold the listening sessions as outlined in the
ADDRESSES section of this notice to receive oral comments from
stakeholders and the public. The following questions and discussion
items are provided as examples of topics stakeholders may wish to
provide comment on. Rural Development welcomes pertinent comments that
are beyond the scope of these questions. Rural Development is
requesting comment and discussion on the following topics:
General Questions
Question 1: IRA requires that funds be fully disbursed by 9/30/
2031, meaning construction and processing of all reimbursements must
occur before then. Do you have a project(s) that could meet the
statutory requirements of any of the RD IRA sections that could be
completed within this time frame? When would be the soonest you would
anticipate filing? When would financing need to be approved so
project(s) could be completed within this time frame?
Question 2: How do you recommend RUS/RBCS balance the interests of
large and small applicants? What measures should be taken and
stakeholders or partners should be engaged to ensure active
participation in RD IRA funding in socially disadvantaged and
distressed communities, particularly with projects that will have an
Environmental Justice impact?
Question 3: Projects funded under IRA are intended to increase
energy
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efficiency (decrease consumption of energy) and increase the deployment
and use of renewable energy and/or clean energy. Knowing this
requirement, what metric is most appropriate to measure progress toward
meeting the goal of achieving greenhouse gas reductions and the
expansion of renewable/clean energy infrastructure?
Section Specific
Question 4: In particular, for Section 22004, what is the most
effective way to measure comparative reductions in carbon dioxide,
methane and nitrous oxide emissions?
Question 5: Section 22001 of the IRA authorizes a new financing
mechanism for the RUS Electric Program by providing partial loan
forgiveness. The maximum amount allowed to be forgiven is 50 percent.
Under the statute, the Secretary may authorize forgiveness above 50
percent.
<bullet> Should loan forgiveness be a standard amount for all
applicants or tiered based on certain criteria?
<bullet> What circumstances should justify the Secretary exceeding
the 50% limitation under Sec. 22001?
Question 6: As consumer owned entities, how can cooperatives ensure
that savings resulting from this program contribute to Section 22004's
statutory purpose of ``affordability?''
Question 7: Section 22002 provides additional funding for REAP. A
key difference under IRA is the ability for the Agency to provide up to
50 percent of the cost of an activity carried out using grant funds.
How should the Agency determine the level of grant for individual
applications? Should there be a standard grant amount or a tiered
approach? What criteria should drive a tiered approach?
Question 8: Section 22002 provides additional funding for
underutilized technology projects and technical assistance for the
purposes of applying to the program. What strategies should RD use to
engage and encourage applications under this section?
Listening Session
Rural Development will hold the listening session on the dates
listed in DATES section of this notice. Oral comments received from
this listening session will be documented. All attendees of the
listening sessions who submit oral comments may also are submit a
written copy to help Rural Development accurately capture public input.
In addition, stakeholders and the public who do not wish to attend or
speak during the listing session are invited to submit written comments
which must be received by the date indicated in the DATES section of
this notice.
At the listening session, the focus is for Rural Development to
hear from the public; this is not a discussion with Rural Development
officials or a question-and-answer session. As noted above, the purpose
is to receive public input that Rural Development can factor into
decisions it needs to make in order to implement the IRA.
Each listening session will begin with brief opening remarks from
USDA leadership in Rural Development. Individual speakers providing
oral comments are requested to be succinct (the agency reserves the
right to announce a time limitation at the beginning of each session
based on attendance) as we do not know at this time how many
participants there will be. As noted above, speakers providing oral
comments may also provide a written copy of their comments. (See the
ADDRESSES section above for information about submitting written
comments.)
Rural Development will be using the Zoom platform to host the
virtual listening session.
Andrew Berke,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
Karama Neal,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-23519 Filed 10-27-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on October 28, 2022.
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