Rulemaking Process
Overview
Updated April 27, 2010
The 2008 Farm Bill Energy Title consists of 14 sections, many of which create new or expanded programs. The USDA has set priorities for how and when it will implement these programs, based on the availability of mandatory funding, Congressional emphasis and agency preference. (A full listing of Energy Title sections can be found at our quick summary of Energy Title programs).
Implementing the programs requires USDA to write new rules for most of them. This rulemaking process requires USDA to make many decisions which, in sum, determine the overall success of the programs. The public is an important part of this process to make sure the USDA puts the best policies in place.
On this page you can see a quick status of rulemaking for the various programs.
Rulemaking/Funding Status
The table below summarizes the regulatory status of these programs.
Acronyms:
- NOFA - Notice of Funds Availability, and NOSA – Notice of Solicitation of Applications – Both mean the USDA is accepting applications for funding under a given program.
- NOPR - Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – A notice from the USDA that they are beginning the process for proposed permanent rules for a given program.
- NOCP – Notice of Contract for Proposal – A notice of proposal for contracts.
|
Program Name |
Status as of April 26, 2010 |
| Biorefinery Assistance (Section 9003) |
|
| Repowering Assistance (9004) |
|
| Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels (9005) |
|
| Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) (9007) – Grants and Loan Guarantees |
|
| REAP – Feasibility Studies |
|
| REAP – Energy Technical Assistance |
|
| Biomass Research and Development (9008) |
|
| Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) (9011) |
|
