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OMB Control No: 0570-0078	ICR Reference No: 202111-0570-001
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: USDA/RBS	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Rural Energy Pilot Program
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR: No
Type of Review Request: Emergency	Approval Requested By: 01/19/2022
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 01/19/2022
	Date Received in OIRA: 01/19/2022
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	07/31/2022	6 Months From Approved
Responses	325	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	3,477	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

Abstract: The purpose of the REPP to further develop renewable energy to help meet our nation’s energy needs and combat climate change while prioritizing environmental justice, racial equity, and economic opportunity. Cost-share grants of up to 80 percent of total eligible project costs but not more than $2 million will be made available to assist eligible entities with developing, installing, equipping, and maintaining community scale distributive energy resources The information solicited from applications by this NOFO is required to 1.) determine whether participants meet the eligibility requirements to be a recipient of grant funds; 2.) evaluate project eligibility; 3.) determine technical and financial viability; 4.) calculate priority scores and rank in order to compete the applications for funding. Lack of adequate information for these purposes could result in the improper administration and appropriation of Federal grant funds.

Emergency Justfication: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS), an agency of the Rural Development (RD) Mission Area (Agencies) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is seeking emergency review and approval of a new information collection for the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Rural Energy Pilot Program. The Agency is expecting to publish the NOFO, which includes the 60-day notice, in the Federal Register on January 19, 2022. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L. 116–260) appropriated $10 million to remain available until expended for the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a pilot program to provide financial assistance for rural communities to further develop renewable energy. In compliance with the requirements of 5 CFR § 1320.13, this request for emergency approval is essential for RBCS to fulfill its responsibility to administer the Rural Energy Pilot Program. It will support one of Rural Development’s key priorities to reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impact of climate change through economic support to rural communities.

Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 116 - 260 781 Name of Law: The Consolidate Appropriations Act, 2021

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: PL: Pub.L. 116 - 260 781 Name of Law: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	87 FR 2747	01/19/2022
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Rural Energy Pilot Program

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate
Annual Number of Responses	325	325
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	3,477	3,477
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement:

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $19,948

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination. No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination. No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

Agency Contact: Lauren Cusick 202 720-1414 lauren.cusick@usda.gov

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