USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Electric Program Loans for Cybersecurity and Grid Security Improvements

USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Electric Program Loans for Cybersecurity and Grid Security Improvements is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS). The USDA's Rural Utilities Services (RUS) provides loans for stand-alone cybersecurity projects in rural communities, which can include improvements related to grid security.

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**Secure websites use HTTPS** Rural Development U.S. Department of Agriculture * Rural Business-Cooperative Service * Rural Utilities Service * Healthy Food Financing Initiative * Interagency Working Group on Cooperative Development * Substantially Underserved Trust Area (SUTA) * Cybersecurity for Water and Wastewater Systems * Community Facilities Programs * Multifamily Housing Programs * Single Family Housing Programs * Telecommunications Programs * Water & Environmental Programs * Program Support Services * General Terms and Conditions * General Terms and Conditions - Legacy View all General Terms and Conditions * For Water & Environmental Engineers * Rural Development Disaster Assistance View all Programs & Services * Stakeholder Announcements ### **Ohio Feed Mill Modernizes with USDA Lending Partnership** Towering over the main intersection of Baltic, Ohio, is the Gerber & Sons, Inc. feed mill.

Since it first started in 1905, this family-owned business in rural Holmes County has produced custom feed mix and bulk feed for local livestock and poultry farmers...

* Publications for Cooperatives * Regulations and Guidance View all Regulations and Guidance * Guaranteed Underwriting System (GUS) * LINC Contact and Resources View all LINC Training Library * RD Forms Help and How To Videos ### Human Resources Inquiries ### **Existing Home Loan Borrower Inquiries** PO Box 66889 St. Louis, MO 63166 1. [](https://www.

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gov/) * Community Facilities Programs * Multifamily Housing Programs * Single Family Housing Programs * Telecommunications Programs * Water & Environmental Programs * Program Support Services * General Terms and Conditions * General Terms and Conditions - Legacy * For Water & Environmental Engineers * Rural Development Disaster Assistance ## Electric Program Announcements * Section 313A Guarantees for Bonds and Notes Issued for Utility Infrastructure Purposes RUS Electric Program announces the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Section 313A Guarantees for Bonds and Notes Issued for Utility Infrastructure Purposes (the 313A Program) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 is opened from May 22 to July 6, 2026.

The 313A Program provides loan financing to not-for-profit financial institutions, with expertise and experience making loans to electric or telecommunications utility purposes, referred to as the “Guaranteed Lender” in this NOFO. Notes or bonds issued by the “Guaranteed Lender” must be of investment grande.

The proceeds of the 313A loan are to be used (a) to make electric and/or telecommunications utility infrastructure loans, or (b) to refinance bonds or notes issued for such purposes to a borrower that has at any time received, or is eligible to receive, a loan under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (RE Act). Read the 313A NOFO for details.

* Self-Evaluation and Transition Plans (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) 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 financingto electric utilities (wholesale and retail providers of electricity) that serve customers in rural areas.

### 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.)

### Powering Affordable Reliable Technology Program The Powering Affordable Reliable Technology (PART) Program supports affordable energy growth across America by providing loans for projects that generate or store electricity from a renewable energy resource. Part of the loan may also qualify for loan forgiveness.

### 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.

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.

* 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 * Where a Loan Application Starts, is Completed and Submitted 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. * Bringing Customer Service To Our Borrowers 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 * Post Loan Services Ensures Loan Funds are Advanced; Financial and Operational Performance Supports the Borrowers’ Ability to Repay 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 * Being Responsive to Market Needs and Staying Ahead of Industry Trends 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.

ContactRobert Coates, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator,OCSTA at (202) 720-1900 * Increasing RUS Electric Program’s focus on energy efficiency loan and high energy cost grant programs and grid security. 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.

ContactJohn Pavek, Deputy Assistant Administrator, GSD at (202) 720-2078 ## Electric Program Links * Electric Program Streamlining * Data Collection System (DCS) * Data Collection System (DCS) Information Page * DCS Technical User Guide * DCS User Guide for Security Administrators * EE Worksheet Instructions * Regulations and Guidelines * 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 * 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 * Report Fraud on USDA Contracts * Architectural Barriers Act * USDA Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement * Non-Discrimination Statement Rural Development U.S. Department of Agriculture