Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service Broadband Pilot Program-ReConnect Program, 5981-5983 [2019-03163]
Broadband Pilot Program-ReConnect Program, 5981-5983 [2019-03163]
Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 37 / Monday, February 25, 2019 / Notices USDA Non-Discrimination Statement No agency, officer, or employee of the USDA shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/ parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, or political beliefs, exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to discrimination any person in the United States under any program or activity conducted by the USDA. How To File a Complaint of Discrimination To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which may be accessed online at http:// www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/ docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_ 12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you or your authorized representative. Send your completed complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax, or email. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410. Fax: (202) 690–7442, Email: program.intake@usda.gov. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). Done at Washington, DC, on February 5, 2019. Mary Lowe, U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius. [FR Doc. 2019–03176 Filed 2–22–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Information Collection Activity; Comment Request Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice for request and comments. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on this information collection for which approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will be requested. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 26, 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas P. Dickson, Regulatory Division amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:22 Feb 22, 2019 Jkt 247001 Team 2, Rural Development Innovation Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Stop 1522, Washington, DC 20250. Phone: 202–690–4492. Cell: 202–689–9521. Thomas.Dickson@usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) regulation (5 CFR 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13) requires that interested members of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that RUS is submitting to OMB for extension. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Comments may be sent to Thomas P. Dickson, Regulatory Division Team 2, Rural Development Innovation Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Stop 1522, Washington, DC 20250. Phone: 202– 690–4492. Cell: 202–689–9521. Thomas.Dickson@usda.gov. Title: Request for Release of Lien and/ or Approval of Sale, RUS Form 793. OMB Control Number: 0572–0041. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 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). All current and future capital assets of RUS borrowers are ordinarily mortgaged or pledged to the Federal Government as security for RUS loans. Assets include tangible and intangible utility plant, non-utility property, construction in PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5981 progress, and materials, supplies, and equipment normally used in a telecommunications system. The RE Act and the various security instruments, e.g., the RUS mortgage, limit the rights of a RUS borrower to dispose of capital assets. The RUS Form 793, Request for Release of Lien and/or Approval of Sale, allows telecommunications program borrowers to seek agency permission to sell some of its assets. The form collects detailed information regarding the proposed sale of a portion of the borrower's system. RUS telecommunications borrowers fill out the form to request RUS approval in order to sell capital assets. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 2.75 hours per response. Respondents: Business or other forprofit; not-for-profit organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 40. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 110. Copies of this information collection can be obtained from MaryPat Daskal, Regulatory Team 2, Rural Development Innovation Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Stop 1522, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 720–7853. Email: MaryPat Daskal@usda.gov. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Dated: February 14, 2019. Bette B. Brand, Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2019–03162 Filed 2–22–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Broadband Pilot Program—ReConnect Program Rural Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture. ACTION: Establishment of application deadlines, and clarification AGENCY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announced its general policy and application procedures for funding under the eConnectivity Pilot Program (ReConnect Program) on December 14, 2018, in the Federal Register. The Reconnect Program will provide loans, grants, and loan/grant combinations to SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\25FEN1.SGM 25FEN1 5982 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 37 / Monday, February 25, 2019 / Notices facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas. In facilitating the expansion of broadband services and infrastructure, ReConnect will fuel long-term rural economic development and opportunities in rural America. The awards made under this program will bring high speed broadband to the farms which will allow them to increase productivity. This Notice amends the original application window closing dates that were published in the December 14, 2018, Federal Register Notice and provides the anticipated date that the opening application window will be announced. DATES: In March 2019, the Agency will announce the date that applications will start being accepted through https:// reconnect.usda.gov. Please note there are three funding categories with each category having different application windows (as referenced in Section II of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). Please refer to the specific funding category for the appropriate application deadline. ADDRESSES: The application system for electronic submissions will be available at https://reconnect.usda.gov. Electronic submissions: Electronic submissions of applications will allow for the expeditious review of an Applicant's proposal. As a result, all Applicants must file their application electronically. For general inquiries, contact Chad Parker, Assistant Administrator Telecommunications Program, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), email: chad.parker@wdc.usda.gov, telephone (202) 720–9554. You may obtain additional information regarding applications at https:// reconnect.usda.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority: This solicitation is issued pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, Public Law 115–141, and the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq. amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 Overview Federal Agency: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Funding Opportunity Title: Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program (ReConnect Program). Announcement Type: Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and solicitation of applications. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program (ReConnect Program)—10.752. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:22 Feb 22, 2019 Jkt 247001 I. Background On March 23, 2018, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2018 (the FY2018 Appropriations), which established a broadband loan and grant pilot program, the Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program (hereinafter the ReConnect Program). One of the essential goals of the ReConnect Program is to expand broadband service to rural areas without sufficient access to broadband, defined as 10 megabits per second (Mbps) downstream and 1 Mbps upstream. For this purpose, Congress provided RUS with $600 million and expanded its existing authority to make loans and grants. On December 14, 2018, RUS published a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and solicitation of applications in the Federal Register at 83 FR 64315. The FOA provided the policy and application procedures for the ReConnect Program. As announced in the FOA, the agency is publishing this notice to provide the final application windows for the ReConnect Program. II. Funding Categories and Application Submission Dates A. Funding Categories 1. 100 Percent Loan Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through July 12, 2019. In the event two loan applications are received for the same proposed funded service area, the application to arrive first will be considered first. B. Available Funds 1. General Approximately $600,000,000 in funding has been set aside for funding opportunities under this FOA. 2. Funding Limits Award amounts under this FOA will be limited as follows: a. 100 Percent Loan. Up to $200,000,000 is available for loans. The maximum amount that can be requested in an application is $50,000,000. b. 50 Percent Loan—50 Percent Grant. Up to $200,000,000 is available for loan/ grant combinations. The maximum amount that can be requested in an application is $25,000,000 for the loan and $25,000,000 for the grant. Loan and grant amounts will always be equal. c. 100 Percent Grant. Up to $200,000,000 is available for grants. The maximum amount that can be requested in an application is $25,000,000. d. Reserve. Additional budget authority is available for a reserve, which may be used for loans or grants under this FOA, or may be included in additional FOAs. The agency reserves the right to increase funding utilizing the application queue under this FOA should additional appropriations become available for the same purposes. 3. Repooling RUS retains the discretion to divert funds from one funding category to another. 4. Award Period 2. 50 Percent Loan/50 Percent Grant Combination Applications will be accepted through June 21, 2019. Notwithstanding overlapping applications, generally all eligible applications will be scored and the applications with the highest score will receive an award offer until all funds are expended for this category. Scoring criteria was established in the Federal Register Funding Opportunity Announcement on December 14, 2018, and can also be found on the website https://reconnect.usda.gov. Awards can be made until all funds have been expended in any given funding category. While the completion time will vary depending on the complexity of the project, award recipients must complete construction of their projects within 5 years from the date funds are first made available. 3. 100 Percent Grant Applications will be accepted through May 31, 2019. Notwithstanding overlapping applications, generally all eligible applications will be scored and the applications with the highest score will receive an award offer until all funds are expended for this category. Scoring criteria was established in the Federal Register Funding Opportunity Announcement on December 14, 2018, and can also be found on the website https://reconnect.usda.gov. To be eligible for an award, applications must meet all the requirements contained in FOA that opened the ReConnect Program which was published in the Federal Register on December 14, 2018, at 83 FR 64315. Information can also be found at https:// reconnect.usda.gov. PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5. Type of Funding Instrument The funding instruments will be grants, loans, and loan/grant combinations. III. Program Requirements IV. Program Clarification This Announcement clarifies that the appropriate State official referenced in Section VII(a)(9) of the FOA, included E:\FR\FM\25FEN1.SGM 25FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 37 / Monday, February 25, 2019 / Notices for reference below, is the Governor of the State. Certifications from anyone other than the Governor will not be accepted and the associated points will not be awarded. Section VII(a)(9) State Broadband Activity (20 points) For projects that are in a State that has a broadband plan that has been updated within five years of the date of publication the Federal Register Funding Opportunity Announcement published on December 14, 2018, 10 points will be awarded. An additional 5 points will be awarded for projects located in states that do not restrict utilities from delivering broadband service, and 5 more points for projects located in states that expedite right-ofway and environmental permitting requirements. In order to receive these points related to State government actions, each application will be required to submit evidence from the appropriate State official that a broadband plan is up-todate and available on a public website, that there are no restrictions on utilities participating in the provision of broadband service, and that procedures are in place for expediting administrative activities for completing right-of-way and environmental permitting requirements that can be executed for the project if necessary, in order to meet the Agency's project build-out timelines. If service is proposed in multiple states, then evidence must be submitted from each state to get the appropriate points. Dated: February 19, 2019. Bette B. Brand, Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2019–03163 Filed 2–22–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Notice of Public Meetings of the New York Advisory Committee Commission on Civil Rights. Announcement of meetings. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission), and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), that a meeting of the New York Advisory Committee to the Commission will convene by conference call at 12:00 p.m. (EST) on: Friday, March 8, 2019. The purpose of the meeting is to approve a proposal for a topic for committee study. amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:22 Feb 22, 2019 Jkt 247001 Friday, March 8, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. EST. Public Call-In Information: Conference call-in number: 1–877–260– 1479 and conference ID# 8798729. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Barreras, at dbarreras@usccr.gov or by phone at 312–353–8311. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interested members of the public may listen to the discussion by calling the following tollfree conference call-in number: 1–877– 260–1479 and conference ID# 8798729. Please be advised that before placing them into the conference call, the conference call operator will ask callers to provide their names, their organizational affiliations (if any), and email addresses (so that callers may be notified of future meetings). Callers can expect to incur charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, and the Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Callers will incur no charge for calls they initiate over landline connections to the toll-free conference call-in number. Persons with hearing impairments may also follow the discussion by first calling the Federal Relay Service at 1– 800–977–8339 and providing the operator with the toll-free conference call-in number: 1–877–260–1479 and conference ID# 8798729. Members of the public are invited to make statements during the open comment period of the meetings or submit written comments. The comments must be received in the regional office approximately 30 days after each scheduled meeting. Written comments may be mailed to the Midwest Regional Office, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 230 S Dearborn Street, Suite 2120, Chicago, IL 60604, faxed to (312) 353–8324, or emailed to David Barreras at dbarreras@ usccr.gov. Persons who desire additional information may contact the Midwest Regional Office at (312) 353– 8311. Records and documents discussed during the meeting will be available for public viewing as they become available at https://database.faca.gov/committee/ meetings.aspx?cid=265; click the ''Meeting Details'' and ''Documents'' links. Records generated from this meeting may also be inspected and reproduced at the Eastern Regional Office, as they become available, both before and after the meetings. Persons interested in the work of this advisory committee are advised to go to the Commission's website, www.usccr.gov, or to contact the Midwest Regional Office at the above phone numbers, email or street address. DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5983 Agenda Friday, March 8, 2019 • Open—Roll Call • Discussion of Education Funding Proposal & Committee Vote • Open Comment • Adjourn David Mussatt, Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit. [FR Doc. 2019–03159 Filed 2–22–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Notice of Public Meeting of the Missouri Advisory Committee to Discuss Civil Rights Topics in the State U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. ACTION: Announcement of meeting. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act that the Missouri Advisory Committee (Committee) will hold a meeting on Thursday, February 28, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. (Central) for the purpose discussing civil rights topics in the state. SUMMARY: The meeting will be held on Thursday, February 28, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. (Central). Public Call Information: Dial: 800– 667–5617, Conference ID: 5310270. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Barreras, DFO, at dbarreras@ usccr.gov or 312–353–8311. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members of the public can listen to the discussion. This meeting is available to the public through the following tollfree call-in number: 800–667–5617, conference ID: 5310270. Any interested member of the public may call this number and listen to the meeting. An open comment period will be provided to allow members of the public to make a statement as time allows. The conference call operator will ask callers to identify themselves, the organization they are affiliated with (if any), and an email address prior to placing callers into the conference room. Callers can expect to incur regular charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, according to their wireless plan. The Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Callers will incur no charge for calls they initiate over landline connections to the toll-free telephone number. Persons with hearing DATES: E:\FR\FM\25FEN1.SGM 25FEN1
Rural Utilities Service
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 37 (Monday, February 25, 2019)]
[Pages 5981-5983]
Broadband Pilot Program--ReConnect Program
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture.
ACTION: Establishment of application deadlines, and clarification
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announced its general policy
and application procedures for funding under the eConnectivity Pilot
Program (ReConnect Program) on December 14, 2018, in the Federal
Register. The Reconnect Program will provide loans, grants, and loan/
grant combinations to
[[Page 5982]]
facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas. In facilitating the
expansion of broadband services and infrastructure, ReConnect will fuel
long-term rural economic development and opportunities in rural
America. The awards made under this program will bring high speed
broadband to the farms which will allow them to increase productivity.
This Notice amends the original application window closing dates that
were published in the December 14, 2018, Federal Register Notice and
provides the anticipated date that the opening application window will
be announced.
DATES: In March 2019, the Agency will announce the date that
applications will start being accepted through https://reconnect.usda.gov. Please note there are three funding categories with
each category having different application windows (as referenced in
Section II of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). Please refer to the specific
funding category for the appropriate application deadline.
ADDRESSES: The application system for electronic submissions will be
available at https://reconnect.usda.gov.
Electronic submissions: Electronic submissions of applications will
allow for the expeditious review of an Applicant's proposal. As a
result, all Applicants must file their application electronically.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general inquiries, contact Chad
Parker, Assistant Administrator Telecommunications Program, Rural
Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), email:
chad.parker@wdc.usda.gov, telephone (202) 720-9554. You may obtain
additional information regarding applications at https://reconnect.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority: This solicitation is issued pursuant to the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2018, Public Law 115-141, and the Rural
Electrification Act of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.
Federal Agency: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
Funding Opportunity Title: Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program
(ReConnect Program).
Announcement Type: Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and
solicitation of applications.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: Rural
eConnectivity Pilot Program (ReConnect Program)--10.752.
On March 23, 2018, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations
Act 2018 (the FY2018 Appropriations), which established a broadband
loan and grant pilot program, the Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program
(hereinafter the ReConnect Program). One of the essential goals of the
ReConnect Program is to expand broadband service to rural areas without
sufficient access to broadband, defined as 10 megabits per second
(Mbps) downstream and 1 Mbps upstream. For this purpose, Congress
provided RUS with $600 million and expanded its existing authority to
make loans and grants.
On December 14, 2018, RUS published a Funding Opportunity
Announcement (FOA) and solicitation of applications in the Federal
Register at 83 FR 64315. The FOA provided the policy and application
procedures for the ReConnect Program. As announced in the FOA, the
agency is publishing this notice to provide the final application
windows for the ReConnect Program.
II. Funding Categories and Application Submission Dates
A. Funding Categories
1. 100 Percent Loan
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through July 12,
2019. In the event two loan applications are received for the same
proposed funded service area, the application to arrive first will be
considered first.
2. 50 Percent Loan/50 Percent Grant Combination
Applications will be accepted through June 21, 2019.
Notwithstanding overlapping applications, generally all eligible
applications will be scored and the applications with the highest score
will receive an award offer until all funds are expended for this
category. Scoring criteria was established in the Federal Register
Funding Opportunity Announcement on December 14, 2018, and can also be
found on the website https://reconnect.usda.gov.
3. 100 Percent Grant
Applications will be accepted through May 31, 2019. Notwithstanding
overlapping applications, generally all eligible applications will be
scored and the applications with the highest score will receive an
award offer until all funds are expended for this category. Scoring
criteria was established in the Federal Register Funding Opportunity
Announcement on December 14, 2018, and can also be found on the website
https://reconnect.usda.gov.
B. Available Funds
Approximately $600,000,000 in funding has been set aside for
funding opportunities under this FOA.
2. Funding Limits
Award amounts under this FOA will be limited as follows:
a. 100 Percent Loan. Up to $200,000,000 is available for loans. The
maximum amount that can be requested in an application is $50,000,000.
b. 50 Percent Loan--50 Percent Grant. Up to $200,000,000 is
available for loan/grant combinations. The maximum amount that can be
requested in an application is $25,000,000 for the loan and $25,000,000
for the grant. Loan and grant amounts will always be equal.
c. 100 Percent Grant. Up to $200,000,000 is available for grants.
The maximum amount that can be requested in an application is
d. Reserve. Additional budget authority is available for a reserve,
which may be used for loans or grants under this FOA, or may be
included in additional FOAs. The agency reserves the right to increase
funding utilizing the application queue under this FOA should
additional appropriations become available for the same purposes.
3. Repooling
RUS retains the discretion to divert funds from one funding
category to another.
4. Award Period
Awards can be made until all funds have been expended in any given
funding category. While the completion time will vary depending on the
complexity of the project, award recipients must complete construction
of their projects within 5 years from the date funds are first made
5. Type of Funding Instrument
The funding instruments will be grants, loans, and loan/grant
III. Program Requirements
To be eligible for an award, applications must meet all the
requirements contained in FOA that opened the ReConnect Program which
was published in the Federal Register on December 14, 2018, at 83 FR
64315. Information can also be found at https://reconnect.usda.gov.
IV. Program Clarification
This Announcement clarifies that the appropriate State official
referenced in Section VII(a)(9) of the FOA, included
for reference below, is the Governor of the State. Certifications from
anyone other than the Governor will not be accepted and the associated
points will not be awarded.
Section VII(a)(9) State Broadband Activity (20 points)
For projects that are in a State that has a broadband plan that has
been updated within five years of the date of publication the Federal
Register Funding Opportunity Announcement published on December 14,
2018, 10 points will be awarded. An additional 5 points will be awarded
for projects located in states that do not restrict utilities from
delivering broadband service, and 5 more points for projects located in
states that expedite right-of-way and environmental permitting
In order to receive these points related to State government
actions, each application will be required to submit evidence from the
appropriate State official that a broadband plan is up-to-date and
available on a public website, that there are no restrictions on
utilities participating in the provision of broadband service, and that
procedures are in place for expediting administrative activities for
completing right-of-way and environmental permitting requirements that
can be executed for the project if necessary, in order to meet the
Agency's project build-out timelines. If service is proposed in
multiple states, then evidence must be submitted from each state to get
the appropriate points.
Dated: February 19, 2019.
Bette B. Brand,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
BILLING CODE P