[OGWG] FW: USDA announces 2010's REAP grant program for energy projects

Mon Apr 26 07:41:13 PDT 2010

________________________________________
From: Deiss, Jeff - Portland, OR [jeff.deiss at or.usda.gov]
Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 4:18 AM
To: Deiss, Jeff - Portland, OR
Subject: USDA announces 2010's REAP grant program for energy projects

The much-anticipated notice in the Federal Register inviting applications for USDA Rural Development's REAP (Rural Energy for America Program) was published today, April 25, 2010.  This notice covers both the REAP grant and guaranteed loan programs for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements.  Here is a link to the full notice:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-9580.pdf

REAP offers grants and/or loan guarantees for the purchase and installation of renewable energy generating systems and energy efficiency improvements.  Assistance is limited to small businesses and farmers & ranchers.  (Regrettably, NONPROFITS & PUBLIC BODIES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM.)  Projects must be located in a rural area.  REAP grants and guarantees may be used individually or in combination.  Together they may finance up to 75% of a project's cost.  Grants can never finance more than 25% of the project, with grants of $20,000 or less being favored.  The program is further described on RD-Oregon's web site here:
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/reap.htm

The salient features of the April 25 Federal Register notice are:

1.      APPLICATION DEADLINE:   The final deadline for applications is June 30, 2010, 4:30PM.  Applications must be RECEIVED by this time; postmarks are not sufficient.  NOTE:  We encourage applicants to submit as soon as possible to improve their chances of success.
2.      FUNDS AVAILABLE:   No specific dollar figure in announced in the Federal Register notice.  RD is reserving the right to move funds among its various REAP authorities to maximize the awards and benefits.  It's likely, based on past information, that about $60 million in grants will be awarded nationwide, and we understand that each state will be receive at least a minimum state allocation to promote the nationwide distribution of awards.
3.      CHANGES:  There seems to be no significant changes in the REAP program or application content compared to last year.  NOTE:  The templates on RD-Oregon's web still should still be sufficient and effective.
4.      There will be a separate, future notice announcing the REAP FEASIBILITY STUDY and REAP ENERGY AUDIT/RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE grant programs.  The timing and deadlines on these notices is still unknown.

In Oregon in 2010, we continue to encourage grant applications of $20,000 or less.  REAP continues to be a very popular and therefore a very competitive program.  Applications seeking $20,000 or less, even if an applicant might qualify for more, are the most likely to receive funding.

For more information, please feel free to contact us.  Don Hollis (don.hollis at or.usda.gov or 503-278-8049 x129) is Oregon's Rural Energy Coordinator.  Inevitably, we will be very much in demand over the next several months, so please take maximum advantage of RD-Oregon's excellent energy web site:
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/energy.htm

We will keep you informed as further information become available.

We look forward to a very successful year in continuing Oregon's leadership in the rural energy renaissance!

jeff

Jeff Deiss, Business & Cooperative Program Director
USDA Rural Development, Oregon State Office
1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Ste. 801, Portland, OR 97232-1274
jeff.deiss at or.usda.gov
503-414-3367 phone; 503-414-3397 fax
Visit our web site, http://www.ruralOregon.biz
For energy programs, http://energy.ruralOregon.biz