LLOYD RITTER

Support the maintenance and protection of existing rural energy investments and full funding in the Investment Reduction Act of 2022 or IRA, in particular the rural electric cooperative funding made available to help with the clean energy transition. New ERA as USDA calls it, as well as PACE; as well as program investments such as Rural Energy for America Program or REAP and Rural Energy Savings or RESP at USDA. Help ensure proper implementation of these provisions at USDA, including equitable public engagement, such as inclusion of community benefit plans (CBPs). Work to help ensure new farm bill re-authorization does not take funds from the IRA for other purposes or that contradict the intent and efficacy of New Era and Pace etc. Expand program funding for all in the future.

Maintain and grow the budgets for commercial weather data at NOAA, NASA, and advocate for better or improved public-private partnerships in private weather data and weather "intelligence" to support the government's leadership in weather information, nationally and globally. Tomorrow.io supports with other related private sector companies a coalition advocating for technology neutrality in weather data collection, allowing the Federal government to use the best technologies available, as well as further and growing investments in this scientific area. Also "TIO" and the Commercial Weather Alliance, or "CWA," are engaging in the upcoming review and potential re-authorization of the Weather Act (HR 6093 etc.) this year and any related legislation that is important to the private sector weather industry. Look at the upcoming farm bill, re-authorization of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, for potential weather science improvement language, including consideration of a USDA commercial weather data program or similar initiative within existing programs to support sub-agencies such as the National Institute for Food and Agriculture, and/or Forest Service. Also engage with US international agencies and sub-agencies to educate about weather intelligence services from the private sector, and encourage public-private partnering for improved constituent services.

Maintain the Investment Reduction Act of 2022 or "IRA" rural energy investments, both substantively and full funding, such as USDA REAP, USDA New ERA and PACE programs. Maintain the renewable energy tax credits, in particular sections 48 and 25D of the tax code for solar, the "bonus credits" and what's known as direct pay provisions for non-profits as well as "transferability" for businesses. Ensure timely implementation from the Treasury Department on guidance/regulations. Maintain and grow the USDA REAP program, section 9007, in the upcoming farm bill (re-authorization of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2022). Engage DOE in it's solar program generally as it relates to small solar business support and/or Amicus work with LMI communities.

Maintain rural energy provisions of the Investment Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), i.e., USDA REAP, as well as rural electric cooperative clean energy transition funding or what USDA calls New ERA and PACE programs. Improve various programs of the upcoming farm bill re-authorization, namely sections 9002, 9003, 9007 - or Biopreferred, Biorefinery Assistance, and REAP, respectively. Multiple suggested improvements for each program to make them more efficient, more user friendly (less "green tape,"), and impactful for the farm community, rural economy, small businesses and the climate. And maintain and grow funding for these programs in the upcoming re-authorization of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2022, particularly for 9002 and 9003 to meet program needs and private sector demand for participation. Support a renewable under-utilized reserve fund within REAP, like is in the IRA.

None this quarter outside of ag energy promotion and farm bill.

Maintain funding in the Investment Reduction Act of 2022 or "IRA" for the USDA REAP program, as well as the upcoming farm bill. Include a "reserve" for under-utilized technologies in the upcoming farm bill. Improve overall program implementation, including the number of solicitations for funds and streamlining application processes to make the work less burdensome for farmers and others. Maintain Inflation Reduction Act funding as it was enacted into law for REAP and RUS energy programs like New ERA and PACE. Have DOE and USDA collaborate more intensely via existing MOU or new agreement(s) to support this market segment with agriculture and rural communities because the opportunity is immense, via education, outreach and technical support. Support and expand the recently announced "RAISE" initiative by USDA and DOE to help small to mid-sized farmers access distributed wind power and other distributed renewable technologies.

TOMORROW.IO

AGRICULTURE ENERGY COALITION

DISTRIBUTED WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION

BIO

WESTERN ORGANIZATION OF RESOURCE COUNCILS

AMICUS SOLAR COOPERATIVE

DISTRIBUTED WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION

AGRICULTURE ENERGY COALITION

TOMORROW.IO

AMICUS SOLAR COOPERATIVE

WESTERN ORGANIZATION OF RESOURCE COUNCILS

BIO