Expansion of state revolving loan fund for fuel purchases for isolated small rural communities; creation of State emergency loan fund to acquire fuel on behalf of financially distressed communities.
Established in 1862, the Department of Agriculture serves all Americans through anti-hunger efforts, stewardship of nearly 200 million acres of national forest and rangelands, and through product safety and conservation efforts. The USDA opens markets for American farmers and ranchers and provides food for needy people around the world.
Grant allowed expansion of existing State revolving fund program to fully fund requests for assistance to secure adequate winter fuel supplies. Grantee reports that 60 remote communities benefitted from lower fuel costs through bulk purchase discounts and lower finance costs.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Funds must be used to establish and support a revolving fund to provide a more cost-effective means of purchasing fuel where fuel cannot be shipped by means of surface transportation.
Not more than 4 percent of the funds made available under the grant may be used for planning and administrative expenses.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Applicants are limited to State entities and to entities of any Territory.
possession or other area authorized to receive the services and programs of the Rural Utilities Service or the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended.
Entities must be in existence as of November 9, 2000.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Assistance must be used to improve the cost-effectiveness of fuel purchasing for communities that are dependent on fuel deliveries by water or air.
Credentials/Documentation
None.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Grant applications are accepted in response to a Notice of Funding Availability published in the Federal Register. Requirements for applications are described in the Federal Register notice and may be requested from the Agency. Eligible entities should provide expressions of interest in applying for grants to the Assistant Administrator, Electric Programs.
Award Procedures
Grants are awarded competitively.
Deadlines
Deadlines will be announced in Notice of Funding Availability published in the Federal Register. Applications will be accepted during the announced application window and awarded at the close of the window.
Authorization
Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended, Title I, Section 19, Public Law 106-472, 114 Stat. 2058, 7 U.S.C. 918a.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Grant approvals will generally be made within 60 days of the application closing date.
Appeals
Applicants may appeal rejections of ineligible applications to the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service under procedures in program regulations at 7 CFR Part 1709.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grant agreements will run for a period of three years. Extensions may be granted. Funds will be disbursed on request of the Grantee.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Grantee will be required to provide periodic financial and performance reports.
Audits
Grantee will be required to report in accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations."
Records
Records must be kept as required under USDA and State regulations.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-0400-0-1-452.
Obigations
(Grants) FY 07 $500,000; FY 08 $0; and FY 09 est not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Grants to States have ranged from $350,000 to $5,000,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
7 CFR Part 1709.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Assistant Administrator, Electric Programs Rural Development Utilities Programs Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250-1560. Telephone: (202) 720-9540. Use the same number for FTS.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Proposals are selected competitively based on total scores received on evaluation criteria in grant announcement.
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