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Kansas Wind and Renewable Energy Conference 2008 September 23 & 24, 2008 Topeka, KS Gary Smith Director, Business & Community Programs USDA Rural Development. USDA’S 2008 Farm Bill. Commitment to Rural America Title IX Energy 1 Billion in mandatory funding
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Kansas Wind and Renewable Energy Conference 2008 September 23 & 24, 2008 Topeka, KS Gary Smith Director, Business & Community Programs USDA Rural Development
USDA’S 2008 Farm Bill Commitment to Rural America • Title IX Energy • 1 Billion in mandatory funding • Section 9003 Provides Biomass Loan Guarantees • Section 9004 Assists Conversion to Biomass Energy • Section 9005 Encourages Production of Advanced Biofuels • Section 9006 Continues Biodiesel Fuel Education Initiative
USDA’S 2008 Farm Bill • Section 9007 Supports Rural RE and EE • Section 9008 Expands Biomass Research and Development • Section 9010 Promotes Sugar-Based Bioenergy Production • Section 9011 Promotes Biomass Crop Production, Harvesting, Processing
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)Section 9007 formally known as theRenewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program (Section 9006)
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program A program to help agricultural producersand rural small businesses purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements.
Who is eligible to apply for funding? • Agricultural producers directly engaged in ag production (≥ 50% of their gross income) • Rural small businesses that meet the SBA Size Standards • Demonstrated financial need ** • Project must be located in a rural area • Non-profit organizations and public entitiesare excluded Actual Definitions available in 7 CFR Part 4280
SBA Size Standards http://www.sba.gov/services/contractingopportunities/sizestandardstopics/index.html Excerpts from SBA Table of Small Business Size Standards
Rural Area Any area other than a city or town with population over 50,000. Cannot be in urbanized area adjacent to such a city or town. http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do
What types of projects are eligible? • Biomass, Bioenergy • Anaerobic digester • Geothermal, electric generation • Geothermal, direct use • Hydrogen • Solar, small and large • Wind, small and large • Energy efficiency
Energy Efficiency Examples • Grain Drying and Curing • Irrigation • Fans and Blowers • Compressors • Pumps • Windows • Bldging Insulation • Lighting • HVAC Systems • Water Heating • Power Systems • Refrigeration EE Projects must have the previous 12 months history of energy use in order to measure savings from the project improvements.
What projects are eligible? • Purchase RE or make EE improvements • Pre-commercial or commercially available, and replicable technology (No Research and Development) • Technical Merit and located in a rural area • Sufficient revenues for O&M, Maintenance & Debt Service • Applicant must own the project and control the revenues and expenses, including O&M Pre-Commercial: at least one commercial unit in operation for at least 1 full year in U.S.
Post-application purchase and installation of equipment; (except agricultural tillage equipment & vehicles) Post-application construction or project improvements; (except residential) Energy audits or assessments; Permit fees and Feasibility Studies; Professional service fees; (except application preparation) Eligible uses Only costs identified in the Energy Audit for energy efficiency improvements are allowed (EE)
Business plans; Retrofitting; Construction of a new facility (EE) -same purpose samesize, based upon energy audit which provides more energy savings than improving the existing facility; Working capital(Guaranteed Loan only) Land acquisition(Guaranteed Loan only) Eligible uses Ineligible project costs include any costs not identified above as eligible costs
Residential Improvements Energy efficiency improvements related to new construction Ag tillage equipment Vehicles What costs are NOT Eligible This is not an all inclusive list.
Technical Requirements • Technical requirements are based on type and size of technology • All requirements follow the same standard project development process: • Qualifications of project team • Agreements and permits • Resource assessment • Design and engineering • Project development schedule • Financial feasibility • Equipment procurement • Equipment installation • Operations and maintenance • Decommissioning • For RE projects with total eligible project cost greater than $400,000 and for EE projects with total eligible project cost greater than $200,000 – the involvement of certified PE required
Evaluation Criteria • Used to rank eligible projects to determine order of funding • Points awarded for: • Quantity of energy produced or saved • Environmental benefits • Commercial availability • Technical merit • Financing readiness • Applicant size • New applicants
What size of grant is available? • Not exceed 25% of total eligible project costs • Minimum grant request • Renewable energy system - $2,500 • Energy efficiency improvements - $1,500 • Maximum grant request • Renewable energy system - $500,000 • Energy efficiency improvements - $250,000 Maximum grants per applicant per fiscal year is $750,000
What size of Guaranteed Loan (GL) is available? • Not exceed 50% **of total eligible project costs (**may be increased to 75%) • Maximum combination GL and grant cannot exceed 50% **of total eligible project costs • Minimum GL request is $5,000 (less grant amount) • Maximum GL request is $10 million Can combine with up to $25M of Business and Industry GL for larger projects
Maximum Loan Guarantees • 85% guarantee for loans ≤ $600,000 • 80% guarantee for loans ≤ $5MM • 70% guarantee for loans ≤ $10MM • 60% guarantee for loans ≤ $25MM
Rates and Terms Interest Rates • Negotiated between lender and borrower • May be Fixed or variable Maximum Loan Terms • 7 years for Working Capital • 20 years for Machinery & Equipment • 30 years for Real Estate
Rural Energy for America Program Section 9007 • New Component • Grants to complete energy audits and renewable energy development assistance • Energy applicants • Governmental • Educational • Electric cooperatives and public power entities • Other similar organizations
Rural Energy for America ProgramSection 9007 • Funding – mandatory: • FY 09 - $55 million • FY 10 - $60 million • FY 11 - $70 million • FY 12 - $70 million • Discretionary Funding: $25 million each fiscal year for FY 09 - 12
Funding Activity FY 2003 thru 2007 Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency TechnologyNo.AmountLeveraged Biomass 249 $ 135,612,303 $458,692,476 Wind 199 36,481,754 504,739,962 Solar 49 1,862,651 4,519,509 Geothermal 26 1,461,337 3,463,084 Hybrid 14 2,529,700 185,664,978 RE Subtotal 537 $177,947,745 $1,157,080,009 Energy Efficiency 875 $20,703,966 $48,343,062 Grand Total 1,412 $198,651,711 $1,205,423,071 Committed to the future of rural communities
Funding Activity FY 2003 thru 2007 Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency Award TypeNo.Grant Guar. LoanLeveragedAverage Award Grant 1,115 $95,153,871 $985,265,349 $85,340 Guar. Loan 9 $70,820,000 $176,184,000 $7,868,889 Combination 144 $11,967,985 $20,709,855 $ 43,973,722 $226,929 Committed to the future of rural communities
Rural Energy for America ProgramSection 9007 • 2008 Awards • 639 individuals and businesses in 43 States and Virgin Islands. • $35.0 million in Grants and Guaranteed Loans for RE or EE projects. • $27.5 mil. Grant and $7.4 mil. Guaranteed loan
Section 9006(9007) Application Deadlines in FY2008 • Application Period • 2 cycles for grant apps in FY2008 • 1st deadline was April 15th • 2nd deadline was June 16th • Guaranteed and Combo deadline was June 16th • Multiple Rounds Anticipated for Program in 2009
TIPS for Applying for a 9006(9007) Grant • Tips • Submit an application • Start the process early • Do some preplanning • Check project eligibility • Check whether you are an eligible applicant • Fill out total application • Answer all Questions on the Technical Report • Understand what professional services you will need
TIPS for Applying for a 9006(9007) grant • Tips (cont.) • Get a Good Energy Audit – that tells the story • Be prepared to do the process right – avoid ill-advised short cuts • Allow adequate time to complete the task • Do a self-scoring of your application before submittal • Don’t start the project prior to submitting the application • Coordinate with your local Rural Development office • What is not in your application cannot be considered
Section 9006(9007) Program Trends • Trends • Pitfalls • Environmental Issues can hold up application development • Leverage – need commitment • Technical Issues not addressed • Readiness • Incomplete / Inconclusive information • Application started too late
Past Energy Projects • 05-Grocery Store • Refrigeration • $9,673 grant • 04- General Store • Refrigeration • $6,935 grant • 05-Grocery Store • Refrigeration • $11,000 grant • 03-Grocery Store • Refrigeration, HVAC, insulation • Lighting, efficient doors • $29,075 grant • 06-Furniture Store • HVAC and lighting • $26,000 grant • $26,000 EE GL • $52,000 B&I GL • 06-Grocery • Refrigeration and lighting • $48,838 grant • $48,830 EE GL • 05-Commercial Bldg • HVAC • $5,000 grant
Past Energy Projects • 06 Grocery Store • Refrigeration, lighting and insulation • $23,488 grant • 06 Laundry Facility • (2) hot water heaters • $3,257 grant • 06 Manufacturing • Water source heat pumps • $49,683 grant • 06 Small Wind Turbine • (2) 4 kW wind turbines • $20,537 grant • 06 Grocery/General Store • Refrigeration and energy efficient entry door • $10,283 grant • 06 Auto Parts Store • HVAC • $4,744 grant
Past Energy Projects • 07 Office Bldg • Lighting, windows & insulation (walls/ceiling) • $2,270 grant • 07 Café & Bakery • HVAC • $3,678 grant • 07 Energy Source • Waste oil burner • $7,872 grant • 07 Lumber Co. • Heating and lighting • $14,950 grant • 07 Commercial Bldg. • Insulation (roof) • $3,819 grant • 07 Biodiesel Plant • Biodiesel • $32,375 grant • 07 Farming • Irrigation (flood to center pivot) • $ 33,343 grant
Past Energy Projects • Farming • Irrigation (engines/motors) • $15,080 grant • $15,080 EE GL • Grocery Store • Refrigeration and lighting • $20,759 grant • $20,769 EE GL • $41,518 B&I GL • Biodiesel Plant • Biodiesel • $41,835 grant • $41,835 EE GL • $83,670 B&I GL • Farming • Irrigation (flood to center pivot) • $11,875 grant • Commercial Business • Solar Thermal • $5,500 grant
Section 9006 Success Stories
Energy Efficiency Success Kansas 05
9006 Success Story Key Data • Energy efficiency improvements • Replaced old boiler with 3 new high efficiency heating units • Estimated total eligible project costs: $20,000 • Grant amount: $5,000 (25%) • Projected energy savings: > 40% • Realized energy savings first 12 months: > 66% • Anticipated Return On Investment (ROI): 8-11 years • ROI being realized first 12 months: 5-6 years
Energy Efficiency Success Kansas 06
EE Testimonial Business: The assistance we received through the Energy Efficiency Program has had a tremendous impact on our business and on our community. The improvements that were made have allowed us to offer the people of our community a much wider selection of products. These changes have impacted both our bottom line and the health of the people in our community. The significantly higher level of efficiency of our new units has allowed us to be bigger but also to be greener. The Energy Efficiency Program has been a difference maker in our business. Owner
9006 Success Story • Energy efficiency improvements • Replaced refrigeration cases/freezer with three (3) new higher efficiency units • Estimated total eligible project costs: $41,132 • Grant amount: $10,283 (25%) • Projected energy savings: 4,052,160 kWh/year • Anticipated Return On Investment (ROI): 4.32 years
Business & Community Programs Business Programs Business & Industry - Guaranteed Loan (B&I) Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program (REDLG) Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Grant (RE/EE) Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG) Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG)
USDA Rural DevelopmentArea Offices Area 1 2715 Canterbury Drive Hays, KS 67601 (785) 628-3081 Phone (785) 625-6065 Fax Area 3 202 W. Miller Road Iola, KS 66749 (620) 365-2901 Phone (620) 365-5785 Fax Area 2 3705 Miller Parkway, Suite A Manhattan, KS 66503 (785) 776-7582 Phone (785) 539-2733 Fax
USDA Rural DevelopmentArea Offices Area 4 1405 South Spencer Newton, KS 67114 (316) 283-0370 Phone (316) 283-2379 Fax Area 5 2106 East Spruce Garden City, KS 67846 (620) 275-0211 Phone (620) 275-4903 Fax
USDA Rural DevelopmentTopeka State Office (785) 271-2700 Phone (785) 271-2771 Fax http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks