USDA RD-Oregon REAP Renewable Energy program

Oregon
Business & Cooperative Programs

REAP Grants for renewable energy systems
(last updated October 13, 2009)

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REAP (Rural Energy for America Program, formerly known as the "§9006" program) offers grants and/or loan guarantees for the purchase and installation of renewable energy generating systems. Assistance is limited to small businesses and farmers & ranchers. Projects must be located in a rural area. REAP grants and guarantees may be used individually or in combination. Together they may finance up to 75% of a project's cost. Grants can never finance more than 25% of the project or $500,000 -- whichever is less. (The REAP program also supports energy efficiency projects.)

REAP applications are now being accepted for FY2010; no application deadline has yet been announced.
Awards are likely to be announced in summer 2010.
Note: Applicants seeking REAP grants of $20,000 or less are greatly favored in the 2009 selection process.

REAP renewable energy grants overview

Getting Started

2009 Federal Register notice inviting energy applications - contains rules governing all 2009 REAP applications; 2010 rules have not been announced.
What's "rural"? - a REAP project must be in a rural location
What is a "small business"? - only small businesses or farmers/ranchers qualify

Recent Projects

Energy projects funded recently in Oregon - both renewable energy & energy efficiency

Application Process

REAP application contents and thresholds - the larger your project is, the greater the professional technical documentation required
Forms for grant applicants - or use the applicable templates below

REAP priority scoring system - REAP grants are awarded on a competitive basis, with priority given to projects that score the most points

Application Templates

Whether seeking a grant or a guaranteed loan, the applicant must submit the following items to RD. The make-up of a complete application differs depending on the cost of the project being proposed.

Sample simple grant application (small wind project)

	Simple Applications (≤$200,000 total project cost)	Full Applications (>$200,000 total project cost)
Part I. Applicant Forms, Certifications, & Narrative	Part I Template - all of the Part I items in a single template or complete them individually: Cover letter Table of contents Form SF 424 Form SF 424C Form SF 424D Form AD-1047 n/a Form AD-1049 n/a n/a Form RD 400-1 Form RD 400-4 Certification of relationship Certification of need Form RD 1940-20 Supplemental environmental information Organizational documents Project summary n/a Matching funds spreadsheet Self-evaluation score sheet	Part I Template - all of the Part I items in a single template or complete them individually: n/a Table of contents Form SF 424 Form SF 424C Form SF 424D Form AD-1047 Form AD-1048 Form AD-1049 Exhibit A-1, 1940-Q Form SF LLL Form RD 400-1 Form RD 400-4 Certification of relationship Certification of need Form RD 1940-20 Supplemental environmental information Organizational documents Project summary Financial information Matching funds spreadsheet Self-evaluation score sheet
Part II. Technical Report	Biomass Anaerobic digester Geothermal, electric Geothermal, direct use Hydropower Hydrogen Solar, hot water Solar, small electric (≤10kw) Solar, large electric (>10kw) Wind, small (≤100kw) Wind, large (>100kw)	Biomass Anaerobic digester Geothermal, electric Geothermal, direct use Hydropower Hydrogen Solar, small electric (≤10kw) Solar, large electric (>10kw) Wind, small (≤100kw) Wind, large (>100kw)
Part III. Feasibility Study	n/a	Independent feasibility study
Part IV. Addendum - Important Supporting Documentation	aTax returns - applicant's last year's tax returns aWarranties for main components - to show commercial availability aEvidence of interim funds - to prove "readiness" to proceed aBETC application/award - to prove incentive aUtility or Energy Trust application/award - to prove incentive	aTax returns aWarranties for main components aEvidence of interim funds aBETC application/award aUtility or Energy Trust application/award

What is a feasibility study? - All REAP projects costing >$200,000 must provide an independent feasibility study with their application

REAP Guaranteed Loans for renewable energy - a stand-alone or companion program for REAP grants

REAP loan guarantees for commercial lenders

Regulations

REAP regulation - RD Instruction 4280-B

Links

RD-Oregon Energy portal - includes links to other renewable energy-supporting programs & agencies in Oregon
National USDA Rural Development REAP web site
Ethanol plant feasibility study guidelines

RD-Oregon contacts for the REAP program

Contacts
Sign up for e-mail notices about REAP opportunities
Not from Oregon? Find your local RD contact