[Federal Register: March 12, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 47)]
[Notices]               
[Page 10726-10727]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12mr09-38]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

 
Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program

AGENCY: Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy 
(DOE).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Section 136 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 
2007, as amended, provides for grants and loans to eligible automobile 
manufacturers and component suppliers for projects that reequip, 
expand, and establish manufacturing facilities in the United States to 
produce light-duty vehicles and components for such vehicles, which 
provide meaningful improvements in fuel economy performance beyond 
certain specified levels. Section 136 also provides that grants and 
loans may cover engineering integration costs associated with such 
projects. The program established by section 136 is referred to as the 
Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program.
    This notice announces that DOE has determined to change the 
previously announced process for submission of applications for a loan 
under section 136. Henceforth, DOE will consider and evaluate 
substantially complete applications as and when they are submitted and 
may make decisions on such applications and close loans with respect to 
such applications at any time.

DATES: DOE will consider and evaluate substantially complete loan 
applications as and when they are submitted.

ADDRESSES: Applications for loans under section 136 may be submitted or 
hand delivered to Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive 
Program, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20585.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lachlan Seward, Advanced Technology 
Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program, U.S. Department of Energy, 
1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, 202-586-8146.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 136 of the Energy Independence and 
Security Act of 2007, enacted on December 19, 2007, Public Law 110-140, 
authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make grants and direct loans to 
eligible applicants for projects that reequip, expand, or establish 
manufacturing facilities in the United States to produce qualified 
advanced technology vehicles, or qualifying components and also for 
engineering integration costs associated with such projects. The 
program established by section 136 is referred to as the Advanced 
Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program (ATVMIP).
    DOE issued an interim final rule to established regulations 
necessary to implement the loan and grant programs authorized by 
section 136. Additionally, concurrent with the issuance of that interim 
final rule, the Department announced that it would consider and 
evaluate substantially complete applications for loans under the ATVMIP 
as and when they are submitted during a first tranche period, which 
closed on December 31, 2008. DOE stated that it may make decisions on 
such applications and close loans with respect to such applications at 
any time. After December 31, 2008, subsequent tranche periods were 
established to close on the last day of each calendar year quarter 
(i.e., March 31, 2009; June 30, 2009, etc.) For applications submitted 
during those subsequent periods, no final decisions would be made with 
respect to such applications until after the close of the particular 
tranche period.
    In order to expedite the processing of all applications for loans, 
DOE has determined to change the previously announced process and 
henceforth will consider and evaluate substantially complete 
applications for loans under the ATVMIP as and when they are submitted. 
Further, DOE may make decisions on such applications and

[[Page 10727]]

close loans with respect to such applications at any time. Accordingly, 
applications submitted after December 31, 2008, will be treated in the 
same manner as applications submitted prior to December 31, 2008.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2009.
Owen Barwell,
Deputy Chief Financial Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-5274 Filed 3-11-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P