Electric Program Announcements
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The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces the Self-Evaluation and Transition Plans (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) and all RUS Recipients, Grantees, and Borrowers are required to conduct Self-Evaluations of their facilities, policies, procedures, and practices for compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Read the Memorandum dated August 25, 2021 for details.
Powering Sustainable Rural Communities
Providing reliable, affordable electricity is essential to sustaining the economic well-being and quality of life for all of the nation's rural residents. The Electric Program provides leadership and capital to maintain, expand, upgrade, and modernize America's vast rural electric infrastructure. Under the authority of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, the Electric Program makes direct loans and loan guarantees (FFB), as well as grants and other energy project financing to electric utilities (wholesale and retail providers of electricity) that serve customers in rural areas.
Electric Programs
Denali Commission High Energy Cost Grants
This program assists the Denali Commission in lowering the cost of energy for families and individuals in areas with extremely high per-household energy costs (275% of the national average or higher).
Distributed Generation Energy Project Financing
This program can provide loans and loan guarantees to energy project developers for distributed energy projects including renewables that provide wholesale or retail electricity to existing Electric Program borrowers or to rural communities served by other utilities.
Electric Infrastructure Loan & Loan Guarantee Program
This program makes insured loans and loan guarantees to nonprofit and cooperative associations, public bodies, and other utilities. Insured loans primarily finance the construction of electric distribution facilities in rural areas.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program (EECLP) provides loans to finance energy efficiency and conservation projects for commercial, industrial, and residential consumers. With the EECLP, eligible utilities, including existing Rural Utilities Service borrowers can borrow money tied to Treasury rates of interest and re-lend the money to develop new and diverse energy service products within their service territories.
Energy Resource Conservation
The Energy Resource Conservation (ERC) Program enables current Rural Utilities Service (RUS) borrowers to make funds available to their consumers for energy conservation and renewable energy projects by deferring payment of principal and interest.
High Energy Cost Grants
This program assists energy providers and other eligible entities in lowering energy costs for families and individuals in areas with extremely high per-household energy costs (275 percent of the national average or higher.)
Rural Energy Savings Program
The Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP) provides loans to rural utilities and other companies who provide energy efficiency loans to qualified consumers to implement durable cost-effective energy efficiency measures.
State Bulk Fuel Revolving Loan Fund
This program helps State governments establish and support revolving loan funds to provide a more cost-effective means of purchasing fuel for remote communities that are not served by surface transportation (highways, transit systems, railways, and waterways) year round.
RD APPLY
RD APPLY
To apply for Electric Infrastructure Loan & Loan Guarantee for a Distribution Loan visit RD Apply, our newly developed, optional online application system.
RD APPLY Resources
For more information on RD Apply requirements.
Contact:
- Christopher McLean, Assistant Administrator, Electric Program at (202) 720-9545,
- James Elliott, Director of Operations, Electric Program at (202) 720-9546 or
- Jonathan Claffey, Policy Advisor at (202) 720-9545
Our Functional Structure is Focused on Customer Service
The RUS Electric Program is comprised of four offices: the Office of Loan Origination and Approval (OLOA), the Office of Portfolio Management and Risk Assessment (OPMRA), the Office of Customer Service and Technical Assistance (OCSTA) and the Grid Security Division (GSD).
Electric Program Customer Service can be reached at (202) 720-1979 or E-Mail: ElectricProgramCustomerService@rd.usda.gov
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OLOA is the primary contact for all electric borrowers and consists of a Financial Operations Branch, an Engineering Branch, and three teams of General Field Representatives (GFRs). The GFRs assist the Borrower with the development of loan applications, support materials, and the submission of loan applications (see paragraph below). The Financial Operations and Engineering Branches within OLOA provide guidance to borrowers for all financial and operational activities, as well as assistance with the development and approval of construction work plans and environmental clearance. Activities within OLOA continue through loan approval and the obligation of loan funds.
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The Electric Program maintains a staff of General Field Representatives (GFRs) stationed around the country. GFRs are an integral part of our outreach delivery system that and a vital component of the program since its inception. GFRs meet regularly with borrowers at the borrowers’ locations. They assist with developing loan applications, discuss matters of interest to borrowers, and provide assistance as requested - all on a one-to-one basis. Field accountants are also available to electric borrowers to provide advice and assistance on accounting issues.
GFRs serve as the local information conduit for the borrowers and headquarters staff. There is a tremendous amount of activity at the state and federal level related to the electric industry. The GFRs keep borrowers current on issues that profoundly impact their business. GFRs play a critical role in the flow of information to electric borrowers. This two-way flow of information enhances our continuing relationship with the borrower and improves the effectiveness of our outreach efforts.
Contact: Joseph Badin, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Loan Origination and Approval (OLOA): (202) 720-0409
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OPMRA consists of three branches: a Financial Operations Branch, an Engineering Branch, and a Loan Monitoring and Forecasting Branch. The Financial Operations Branch and Engineering Branch provide the necessary post-loan services to the loans and grants made by the Electric Program. The Loan Monitoring and Forecasting Branch review financial and operational performance to assess and mitigate any potential risks to Government securities.
Link to available Prepayment Closing Dates.
Contact: Victor Vu, Deputy Assistant Administrator, OPMRA at (202) 720-1449
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OCSTA consists of a Policy and Outreach Branch (POB) and an Engineering Standards Branch. The Policy and Outreach Branch is involved in the review of agency policies, revising them as needed, and communicating them to our customers. POB also plans and coordinates outreach activities with borrowers, associations and other stakeholders of the Electric Program. Outreach efforts provide valuable opportunities for customer engagement and provides important and timely feedback for the Electric Program to update its products and services. The Engineering Standards Branch develops and maintains engineering bulletins, regulations, and related activities. Technological services provided by this Branch relate to the design, construction, operation and maintenance of rural electric distribution and transmission lines and their materials. Standards and specifications enable RUS borrowers to build the most efficient and affordable infrastructure to deliver electricity to rural America.
Contact Robert Coates, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator, OCSTA at (202) 720-1900
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The Grid Security Division (GSD) consists of a Financial Analysis Branch (FAB) and a Technical Review and Analysis Branch (TAB). The FAB is the new home for the agency’s management of servicing the High Energy Cost Grant Program (HECG), the Energy Efficiency Conservation Loan Program (EECLP) and the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP). The TAB concentrates on rural electric grid security. The TAB will review the design, construction, operational aspects of loan and grant requests by rural electric distribution and transmission cooperatives specifically related to grid security improvements. The TAB will concentrate on the engineering investments including cyber security needs, equipment and vehicles used to reduce fire or security risks, finance of major electric utility vegetation management investments and a host of security measures to protect the electric grid in rural areas.
Contact John Pavek, Deputy Assistant Administrator, GSD at (202) 720-2078
Electric Program Links
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- RD Apply
- Loan Refinancing
- Electric Program Streamlining
- Data Collection System (DCS)
- Interest Rates
- Regulations and Guidelines
- Bulletins
- Electric Forms
- Electric Sample Documents
- Electric Program Engineering & Materials
- Electric Program Contacts
- RUS Contacts (Telecommunications, Water & Environmental)
- Electric Program General Field Representatives (GFRs)
- Temporary Construction Sign Layout Guidelines
Rural Electrification Video
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- The Battle of RECs: Celebrating 80 Years of Rural Electrification
- Vintage USDA/REA Promo – Bob Marshall Comes Home
- Rural Electrification: "Singing Wires" circa 1951 Farm Journal
- “Power and the Land”