USDA will be releasing a draft rule (via the Federal Register) for the Section 9006 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program soon. A 30 day comment period will follow. This is a very short window to provide USDA with feedback on how the program will be run in the future. After USDA issues the final regulation, it will be quite difficult to make further changes.

We'll post information on this forum about how to make comments. If you have a story to share about applying for USDA funds, comments about the process, or ideas on how to make the program more effective please post them here. It will be helpful for Windustry and others planning to draft comments.

You can also watch the Windustry website (www.windustry.org) and ELPC's www.farmenergy.org for more details.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sarah Johnson,

USDA published its draft rule for its renewable energy program (Section 9006 of the Farm Bill) in the Federal Register today. The public is invited to make comments by November 4, 2004. This is our best opportunity to influence how this program is run and to help make it a more effective means of supporting wind projects. After the rule is finalized chances for further improvement will be limited.

You can find the full proposed rule in the Federal Register here: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/farmbill/100504proprule.pdf

Below is a press release from USDA announcing the comment period.


NEWS RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Tim McNeilly (202) 690-0498

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAM

WASHINGTON, October 5, 2004--Agriculture Acting Under Secretary for Rural Development Gilbert Gonzalez today announced the solicitation of public comment on proposed program rules for administering the renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements program.

"The program is part of President Bush's energy plan to increase the utilization of renewable energy and improve energy efficiency for farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses," said Gonzalez.

The Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements program was created as part of the 2002 Farm Bill to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses develop renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements to their operations. To date, the Bush Administration has committed nearly $45 million in grant assistance to farmers, ranchers and rural businesses. The proposed rules are published in today's Federal Register.

Gonzalez said that the purpose of publishing the proposed rule is to formalize the program guidelines for receiving and reviewing future loan and grant applications. With the publication of the proposed rule in the Federal Register, public comment will be accepted for 30 days.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

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USDA has now posted a more user-friendly html version of the proposed rule. You can find it here:

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/4280proposed.htm

Also, the National Renewable Energy Lab will be holding two informational webcasts on the renewable energy program and proposed rule. If you are considering submitting comments (deadline is Nov. 4), this might be a valuable chance to learn more. The first one is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 8 at 11 am central time and the second one is scheduled for Tuesday, October 12 at 2:00 central time. If you are interested in participating, please let me know and I'll give you the details.

The deadline for submitting comments has been extended to December 15, 2004. Please contact us if you're interested in submitting comments and would like ideas.