TITLE VI. Rural Development:

News and Updates
New Programs
Section-By-Section Summary
General Information
Rural Development 2002 Farm
    Bill Home Page

USDA 2002 Farm Bill Site

Section 9006 of the Farm Bill authorized creation of the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program. In April 2004, Secretary Veneman announced that grants were available under the program, which is administered by Rural Development's Business Programs. For Fiscal Year 2004, $22.8 million in grants is available for eligible agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy improvements.

USDA has also established a pilot renewable energy project that will provide guaranteed loans to small businesses that generate energy production from cattle products.

• USDA Rural Development Seeks Public Comment on Renewable Energy Program
  
• Federal Register Notice:--"Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grant, Guaranteed Loan and Direct Loan Program Proposed Rule"  PDF / TEXT
  
• Veneman Announces $22.8 Million to Support Renewable Energy Initiatives in 26 States / Recipients List
  
• Federal Register Notice:--"Notice of Funds Availability Inviting Applications for the Specific Risk Materials and Certain Cattle Renewable Energy Guaranteed Loan Pilot Program"  PDF / TEXT
  
• USDA Establishes a Pilot Project for Renewable Energy
  
• Veneman Announces $22.8 Million in Grants for Renewable Energy Initiatives
  
• Correction to Federal Register Notice:--"Notice of Funds Availability Inviting Applications for the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grant Program"  PDF / TEXT
  
• Federal Register Notice:--"Notice of Funds Availability Inviting Applications for the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grant Program"  PDF / TEXT
  
• Business Programs Renewable Energy Site (Technical Resources)
  
• Veneman Announces Agreement to Encourage Alternative Energy Sources, Greenhouse Gas Reductions
  
• Remarks by Former Under Secretary Dorr at the Renewable Fuels Association Board of Directors Meeting (PDF)*
  
• USDA Announces Over $21 Million to Support Rural Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Efforts
  
• Energy Remarks by Former Under Secretary Dorr at the National Biodiesel Board Annual Meeting (PDF)
  
• USDA Extends Deadline for $23 Million in Renewable Energy Grants
  
• Federal Register Notice:--"Notice of Funds Availability Inviting Applications for the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grant Program" (Clarification and Deadline Extension for Original Notice)  PDF / TEXT
  
• Business Programs Renewable Energy Site (Technical Resources)
  
• Federal Register Notice:--"Notice of Funds Availability Inviting Applications for the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grant Program"  PDF / TEXT
  
• Veneman Announces $44 Million in Grants for Renewable Energy Initiatives
  
• Energy Remarks by Former Under Secretary Dorr at the 2003 National Ethanol Conference (PDF)
  
• Public Comments on the Renewable Energy Program
  

  December 3, 2002
  Energy Meeting Webcast**
  Energy Meeting Transcript:  PDF / TEXT
  Former Under Secretary Dorr's Opening Remarks:  PDF / TEXT
  Former Under Secretary Dorr's Energy Remarks:  PDF / TEXT
  Energy Meeting PowerPoint Presentation***
  

• Federal Register Notice:--"Notice of a Public Meeting on Implementation of Section 9006 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002"  PDF / TEXT
  
• USDA to Hold Public Meeting on Expanding Rural Renewable Energy Systems
• Business Programs Energy Site
• Utilities Programs Renewable Energy Site
• USDA Energy and Agriculture Site
• U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Site / Energy News

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