View Rule

RBCS, and agency within Rural Development (RD), intends to issue an interim final rule in  support Executive Orders 14154, Unleashing American Energy and 14156, Declaring a National Energy Emergency, to reduce high energy costs and provide a diversified, and affordable supply of energy to drive our Nation's economic prosperity by promoting efficiencies and reducing compliance costs. In addition, implementation of this action will simplify and streamline requirements and processes in the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to ensure that RD can have more effective program delivery practices to increase rural prosperity .    

The 7 CFR 4280 Subpart B governs REAP and provides for grants, or a combination grant and guaranteed loan, to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for the purpose of purchasing and installing renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. The program also provides grants to conduct energy audits and provide recommendations and information on renewable energy development assistance. Subpart B was last updated July 2021 to primarily remove the provisions relating to guaranteed only loans promulgated through the OneRD initiative.