Act Now - Rhode Island

NRCS has developed a faster process to approve applications for conservation programs. Using our “Act Now” authority, NRCS can now pre-approve applications when they meet or exceed a pre-determined minimum ranking score. Applications are ranked according to local resource concerns, the amount of conservation benefits the work will provide, and the needs of applicants.

Applications for eligible practices that meet or exceed pre-determined minimum ranking thresholds will be considered for priority funding when applying to NRCS Rhode Island's Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). No special application is required to be eligible for funding through the Act Now process.

This means funding decisions can be made without having to wait for all applications to be reviewed and ranked. This can potentially allow farmers to start conservation projects earlier instead of waiting long periods to know if a project will be funded.

Why Act Now?

Act Now was designed to help NRCS facilitate the implementation of high priority conservation efforts like the Inflation Reduction Act. As part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, more than $3 billion is being made available nationally in 2024 from the Inflation Reduction Act for climate-smart mitigation activities through several NRCS conservation programs.

The investment through the Inflation Reduction Act represents the single largest investment in climate and clean energy solutions in American history. An additional investment of over $2 billion is available through the Farm Bill.

Following this historic investment into conservation, Act Now was designed to accelerate the timeframe from program application to contract obligation and create a process where farmers can receive a funding decision sooner to help get conservation on the ground quickly and efficiently.

How Does Act Now Work?

Act Now minimum ranking thresholds and eligible practices are determined at the state-level. The process enables applications in a ranking pool designated for Act Now to be pre-approved a when it meets or exceeds a pre-determined minimum threshold ranking score.

Farmers do not apply separately to Act Now and will be considered for priority funding when applying for an eligible practice through EQIP. Applications are processed in the order they are received and applications that rank at or above the pre-established threshold ranking score will be preapproved as long as funds are available. When the available funding limit through Act Now has been reached, remaining applications may be considered in other relevant ranking pools or rolled over to the next funding cycle.

Once a farmer’s application is pre-approved, they must still meet eligibility requirements, including establishing a farm tract number with USDA’s Farm Service Agency if they have not previously utilized USDA programs. They also must certify compliance with the adjusted gross income limitation (AGI) provisions and compliance with highly erodible land and wetland conservation requirements. After establishing eligibility, farmers must complete the planning process and receive notice of approval from NRCS before beginning work. Projects started before final contract approval are ineligible for cost-share assistance unless the farmer has been granted an early start waiver.

NRCS accepts applications for conservation programs year-round but considers and funds applications during set funding cycles. Rhode Island farmers and forest landowners interested in EQIP should apply by the deadliness below to be considered during the current funding cycle.

Eligible Practices

IRA EQIP Combustion System and Energy Initiative Act Now 

To help farmers and forest landowners in Rhode Island to replace high-emitting diesel engine tractors and other on-farm equipment (loaders, forklifts, motor graders and backhoes, diesel-powered irrigation systems) with electric alternatives. Only those application replacing an existing diesel equipment with an electric alternative are eligible for Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding. Rhode Island NRCS will offer the following conservation opportunities newly available nationwide under the combustion system improvement practice:

• Replacing existing diesel tractors with electric alternatives
• Replacing other high-emitting diesel mobile on-farm equipment (loaders, forklifts, motor graders and backhoes) with electric alternatives

The IRA EQIP Combustion System and Energy Initiative Act Now requires that at least one of the following primary practices are included in the assessment and planned to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve energy efficiency:

• Combustion System Improvement (CPS 372)¹
• Pumping Plant (CPS 533)²
• Energy Efficient Agricultural Operation (CPS 374)³
• Energy Efficient Lighting System (CPS 670)³
• Energy Efficient Building Envelope (CPS 672)³

Minimum Threshold Ranking Score - 60 Points

EQIP Classic Combustion System and Energy Initiative Act Now

To help farmers and forest landowners in Rhode Island replace high-emitting diesel engine tractors and other on-farm equipment (loaders, forklifts, motor graders and backhoes, diesel-powered irrigation systems) with low-emitting diesel. Rhode Island will offer the following conservation opportunities newly available nationwide under the combustion system improvement practice:

• Replacing high-emitting diesel tractors with low-emitting diesel tractors
• Replacing other high-emitting diesel mobile on-farm equipment (loaders, forklifts, motor graders and backhoes) with low-emitting diesel equipment

The EQIP Classic Combustion System and Energy Initiative Act Now requires that at least one of the following primary practices are included in the assessment and planned to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve energy efficiency:

• Combustion System Improvement (CPS 372)¹
• Pumping Plant (CPS 533)²
• Energy Efficient Agricultural Operation (CPS 374)³
• Energy Efficient Lighting System (CPS 670)³
• Energy Efficient Building Envelope (CPS 672)³

Minimum Threshold Ranking Score - 60 Points

“Streamlined” Conservation Planning Activities

This initiative will use the Act Now process to provide on-going obligation of conservation planning activities in the order they are received. The initiative will offer:

• Conservation Planning Activities (CPAs): CPAs produce conservation plans that document participant objectives, existing resource concerns, and participant decisions regarding conservation practices and activities that will be used to address identified resource concerns. 
• Design and Implementation Activities (DIAs): DIAs produce designs, prescriptions, or other instructions for implementing a single conservation practice, or a system of conservation practices derived from the participant’s conservation plan.
• Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activities (CEMAs): CEMAs produce results of an evaluation, monitoring, test, or assessment.

Minimum Threshold Ranking Score - 20 Points

Deadlines

• NRCS will use the Act Now process to fund EQIP-IRA Combustion System & Energy Improvement applications beginning February 23, 2024, and continuing weekly through May 17, 2024, or until funds are expended. 
• NRCS will use the Act Now process to fund EQIP Classic and Streamlined CPA applications beginning February 23, 2024, and continuing weekly through April 19, 2024, or until funds are expended. 

¹Producers using the practice Combustion System Improvement (CPS 372) are required to document the destruction and proper disposal of their existing equipment being replaced to prevent the old units from continued operation, reuse, or movement into another locale. 

²CPS 533 Pumping Plant is eligible under the CSEI Act Now only when the practice is planned as a primary practice to address air quality and/or energy concerns. When pumping plant is planned as part of an irrigation system, it should be planned as a supporting practice and is not eligible for Act Now.

³To be eligible for Act Now, the applicant must have an approved energy plan that meets the Agricultural Energy Assessment Activity and has been reviewed and approved by the lead discipline. 

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