Memo: Request for Emergency Review and Clearance, RESP

USDA
United States Department of Agriculture

Rural Development

May 26, 2016

Rural Utilities Service
1400 Independence
Ave., SW

TO:

Washington, DC
20250

Vladik Dorjets
Desk Officer
Office of Management and Budget

Voice 202.720.9540

THROUGH: Charlene Parker
Departmental Clearance Officer
Office of the Chief Information Officer

FROM:

Brandon McBride
Administrator
Rural Utilities Service

ch."

SUBJECT: Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP)
Request for Emergency Review and Clearance
Abstract of Program and Implementation
The Rural Utilities Service makes mortgage loans and loan guarantees to electric and
telecommunications systems to provide and improve electric and telecommunications
service in rural areas pursuant to the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (7
U.S.C. 901 et seq,) (RE Act). On December 18, 2015, the 2016 Omnibus
Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2029, Pub. L. No. 114-113) received Congressional approval.
Section 744 of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill appropriated funding to carry out section
6407 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107a) provided
that the Secretary launch the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESPA) authorized by
this section during the 2016 Fiscal Year and that the program be carried out through the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
The purpose of the RESPA is to provide funds to eligible entities that agree to accept
loan funds to make loans to qualified consumers for the purpose of implementing
residential energy efficiency measures or farm efficiency measures approved by the
Secretary of Agriculture. Entities seeking funding under this program will have to submit
applications that include information establishing applicant and project eligibility,
certifications that the applicant is a legal entity in good standing (as applicable), and
operating in accordance with the laws of the state(s) where the applicant has a place of
business, and agreements that are required for similar loan programs. After project
approval, lenders must submit periodic reports to ensure that funds are being used for
viable energy efficiency projects.

USDA Rural Development is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form,
found online at http://www.ascr.usda.govicomplaint filing cust.html , or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the
form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or
letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intakeusda.gov.

2

Reason for Emergency Clearance
RUS is requesting emergency approval for a new collection of information in support of the
Rural Energy Savings Program
Congress provided mandatory funding in H.R. 2029, for the specific purpose of expediting the
implementation of the program. Congress provided the funding with the provision that the
Secretary launch the program during the 2016 fiscal year. The agency has determined that
issuing a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) is the best course of action to allow for the
program to launch in Fiscal Year 2016. The NOFA must be published and applicants must be
allowed an adequate time frame to complete and submit applications. In addition, the program
must review and award funding to selected eligible applicants prior to the close of the 2016
fiscal year. A normal clearance process would delay the actual implementation of the program.
More importantly, delay would render the allocation ineffective if implementation were not in
effect for the 2016 fiscal year.
The RESP program supports the President's energy strategy by increasing energy efficiency in
homes of rural Americans. Home efficiency upgrades are part of the President's all-of-the-above
energy strategy that results in job creation, financial savings by rural homeowners, and
decreased carbon pollution. The collection of information is essential to the mission of the
agency and is vital for the agency to make informed decisions regarding the eligibility of
borrowers. The agency will utilize the information collection to ensure that funds obtained by
borrowers from the Government are awarded and used appropriately (e.g., used for the
purposes for which the funding was awarded), and to ensure the program complies with the bill
establishing the RESP program and with any regulations establishing administration of the
RESP program.
Based upon experience operating the program in fiscal year 2016 under the NOFA, the agency
will determine the course of action to follow for a future rulemaking to codify the program.
RUS requests approval of this Emergency Paperwork Burden package on or before June 10,
2016.
Attachments