[Federal Register: November 15, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 219)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 65554-65555]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15no04-46]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
7 CFR Part 4280
RIN 0570-AA50
Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements
Grant, Guaranteed Loan, and Direct Loan Program
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule: extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) is extending the
deadline of November 4, 2004, for submitting comments regarding the
proposed Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements
Grant, Guaranteed Loan, and Direct Loan Program. The program will
assist farmers, ranchers, and small rural businesses to purchase
renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. The
proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on October 5, 2004
(69 FR 59650). This extension will allow additional time for the public
to submit comments.
DATES: Comments must be submitted by December 15, 2004.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to this rule by any of the following
methods:
Agency Web Site: http://rdinit.usda.gov/regs/. Follow instructions
for submitting comments on the Web site.
E-Mail: comments@usda.gov. Include the RIN No. 0570-AA50 in the
subject line of the message.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Submit written comments via the U.S. Postal Service to the
Branch Chief, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20250-0742.
Hand Delivery/Courier: Submit written comments via Federal Express
Mail or another courier service requiring a street address to the
Branch Chief, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, 300 7th Street, SW., 7th Floor, Washington,
DC 20024.
All written comments will be available for public inspection during
regular working hours at 300 7th Street, SW., 7th Floor, address listed
above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Georg A. Shultz, Special Advisor for
Renewable Energy Policy and Programs, Office of the Deputy
Administrator Business Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Mail
Stop 3220, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-3220,
telephone: (202) 720-2976.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: RBS published the notice of proposed rule
making with a 30-day comment period. The reason for this limited time
for comments was based primarily on the need to have a published final
rule in time for the implementation of the program in fiscal year (FY)
2005. The Agency felt that since the program outlined in the proposed
rule is similar
[[Page 65555]]
in scope as the Notices of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the grant
program published in FY 2003 and FY 2004 and the Agency's current
Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program forms the basis of the
proposed guaranteed loan program, that a 30-day period would be
sufficient. The additional 30-day comment period will delay publication
of the final rule a commensurate time. The delay in publication will
create additional time constraints on applicants. It will also
constrain the time for processing the applications, including meeting
environmental assessment requirements. RBS is extending the comment
period in response to numerous requests from the public for additional
time to comment.
Dated: November 5, 2004.
Gilbert Gonzalez,
Acting Under Secretary, Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 04-25239 Filed 11-12-04; 8:45 am]