[OKC] USDA Seeks Applications for Renewable Energy Funding

[Miles, Karen]

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	Release No. 0116.11
Contact:
Weldon Freeman 
(202) 690-1384
 
USDA Seeks Applications for Renewable Energy Funding
 
Funds Will Help Win the Future by Spurring Investment to Increase the
Production and Use of Renewable Energy
   WASHINGTON, March 14, 2011 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today
announced that USDA is seeking applications to increase the production
and use of renewable energy sources. Funding is available from three
USDA Rural Development renewable energy programs authorized by the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill).
   "This funding will create green jobs and help America become more
energy self-sufficient."  Vilsack said. "These investments will help
spur new technologies that will enable us to reduce reliance on fossil
fuels and build a strong renewable energy industry in rural America that
will enable our nation to 'out-innovate' its competitors." 
   USDA is accepting applications for loan guarantees in the Biorefinery
Assistance Program, Repowering Assistance Program, and the Bioenergy
Program for Advanced Biofuels.  Details on how to apply are available in
the March 11, 2011 Federal Register, page 13351.
   USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program provides loan guarantees to
develop and construct commercial-scale biorefineries or to retrofit
existing facilities using eligible technology for the development of
advanced biofuels. Under the Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA), USDA
is making approximately $463 million in program level available for loan
guarantees in Fiscal Year (FY) 2011.   For FY 2011, there is only one
round of competition.  Applications must be received by May 10, 2011. 
   The Repowering Assistance Program is designed to encourage the use of
renewable biomass as a replacement fuel source for fossil fuels used to
process heat or power in the operation of eligible biorefineries (those
biorefineries in existence on June 18, 2008 -- the date the 2008 Farm
Bill was enacted).  Eligible project costs will be only for project
related construction costs for repowering improvements associated with
the equipment, installation, engineering, design, site plans, associated
professional fees, permits and financing fees.  Under this notice, USDA
is making available approximately $25 million to make payments to
eligible biorefineries.  The deadline to apply for funding under this
program is June 9, 2011. Details on how to apply are available in the
March 11, 2011 Federal Register, page 13349.
   The Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels works to support and
ensure an expanding production of advanced biofuels by providing
payments to eligible advanced biofuels producers. USDA may fund up to
$85 million under a Notice of Contract Proposal (NOCP) for Payments to
Eligible Advanced Biofuel Producers in FY 2011.  The deadline to apply
is May 10, 2011.  To be eligible for payments, advanced biofuels must be
produced from renewable biomass, excluding corn kernel starch, in a
biofuel facility located in a state.   Details on how to apply are
available in the March 11, 2011 Federal Register, page 13345.
   Advanced biofuels are derived from renewable biomass to include
cellulose, sugar and starch, crop residue, vegetative waste material,
animal waste, food and yard waste, vegetable oil, animal fat, and biogas
(including landfill gas and sewage waste treatment gas). This program is
an important part of achieving the Obama administration's goal of
out-building and out-innovating our global competitors by increasing
biofuels production and use. 
   USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and
manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and
facility programs through a network of national state and local offices.
Agency programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural
communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the
quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing
portfolio of more than $146 billion in loans and loan guarantees. 
 
________________________________


USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a
complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil
Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call
(800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
	
 
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