Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Energy Program

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is soliciting Letters of Interest (LOI) for applications under the Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Program. In addition, the Agency is announcing the eligibility requirements, application process and deadlines, and the criteria that will be used by RUS to assess ARC Applications. The ARC Program is making approximately $175 million in appropriated budget authority for the cost of loan and grant funds available under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. In keeping with the statutory authority for the program, RUS will utilize the ARC funds to assist Eligible Entities to achieve future net reductions consistent with Section 22004 of the IRA through the deployment of advanced, efficient transmission infrastructure and nuclear power supply. Available funds will be allocated for each purpose while advancing the long-term resiliency, reliability, and affordability of rural electric systems. All Eligible Entities are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their LOIs and ARC Applications.

This funding notice advances the statutory purpose of achieving the greatest reductions as provided in Section 22004 of the IRA associated with rural electric systems by increasing the amount of emission-free nuclear power and increasing the efficiency of the transmission grid within such systems. These new sources of cooperative power supply and enhanced transmission efficiency will result in reduced future demand for other sources of power.

Cost Sharing or Matching: For Project and System loans, RUS will finance up to 75 percent of the total capitalized cost of the Project in the loan component of a Project and/or System Award. The Awardee will be required to initially provide and maintain for the term of the Project and/or System Award at least 25 percent of the Project’s total capitalized cost in the form of cash or an equity investment.

As noted in Section 2.0 of the NOFO, the Agency may where Financially Feasible allow an Awardee to utilize the grant component of the Award and/or any applicable tax credit that it expects to receive (including credit amounts expected to be received through Elective Pay elections under section 6417 of the Internal Revenue Code) toward the 25 percent equity requirement for a Project Award. Such financial equity may not come from the proceeds of any loan from any creditor, including insiders of the Awardee.

(1) Operating Electric cooperatives described in section 501(c)(12) or 1381(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 who are currently or have been in the past a RUS electric loan borrower pursuant to the RE Act;(2) Electric cooperatives serving predominantly Rural Areas; or(3) Wholly or jointly owned subsidiaries of such electric cooperatives listed in (1) and (2).For the purposes of this program, the term “predominantly rural” as used in (2) in this paragraph shall mean a service territory that must include at least 50 percent Rural Areas