IRA-EQIP FY2024 Ranking Criteria for Rhode Island On-Farm Energy Initiative

Applicability

Will this application result in the implementation of an approved energy audit OR is this application for a new Agricultural Energy Design (120)?

1. YES — Points: 0
2. NO — Points: 0

Category Question

Is the Planned Land Unit (PLU) located in Rhode Island?

1. Yes — Points: 0
2. Otherwise — Points: 0

Program Questions 

1. Is the land permanently protected through a CONSERVATION EASEMENT, purchase of development rights or other mechanism?
   1. Yes — Points: 20
   2. Otherwise — Points: 0
2. Does the applicant meet the NRCS definition of a Historically Underserved (HU) producer as identified in the CPA-1200?
   1. YES — Points: 60
   2. NO — Points: 0
3. Did the applicant apply for funding in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 but was previously NOT funded?
   1. YES — Points: 70
   2. NO — Points: 0
4. 4.If this application is approved for funding, will this be the applicant's first EQIP contract?
   1. YES — Points: 50
   2.  NOT APPLICABLE — Points: 0
5. Has the participant been in contract violation with a prior USDA NRCS Contract within the past 3 years?
   1. YES — Points: -100
   2. NO — Points: 0

Resource Questions 

1. Regarding applications containing energy efficiency practices, SELECT ONE answer using the NOFEI Core Practice List. In order to select, you must have planned at least one practice from this list to address a Resource Concern (RC) that falls under the listed RC Category. The RC and practice must be listed in the assessment.
   1. The application contains two or more core practices — Points: 55
   2. The application contains at least one core practice and additional supporting practices — Points: 40
   3. The application contains one core practice — Points: 15
   4. Not Applicable — Points: 0
2. Regarding applications containing water conservation (Source Water Depletion) practices, SELECT ONE answer using the NOFEI Core Practice List. In order to select, you must have planned at least one practice from this list to address a RC that falls under the listed RC Category. The RC and practice must be listed in the assessment.
   1. Implementing irrigation practices that reduce energy and reduce aquifer overdraft — Points: 20
   2. Implementing energy practices that recycle or reuse water — Points: 20
   3. Not Applicable — Points: 0
3. SELECT ONE: The proposed application contains projects that will improve air quality by...
   1. Implementing energy practices that have been evaluated to reduce on-farm generated carbon dioxide (CO2) by 100,000 pounds or more — Points: 25
   2. Implementing energy practices that have been evaluated to reduce on-farm generated carbon dioxide (CO2) by 75,000 pounds or more — Points: 20
   3. Implementing energy practices that have been evaluated to reduce on-farm generated carbon dioxide (CO2) by 50,000 pounds or more — Points: 15
   4. Implementing energy practices that have been evaluated to reduce on-farm generated carbon dioxide (CO2) by 25,000 pounds or more — Points: 10
   5. Implementing energy practices that have been evaluated to reduce on-farm generated carbon dioxide (CO2) by less than 10,000 pounds — Points: 0
   6. Not applicable — Points: 0
4. SELECT ONE: Use the - Energy Cost Efficiency Worksheet (linked in guidance sheet) - to calculate the estimated energy cost efficiency value for the conservation practices in the EQIP plan/schedule of operations.
   1. The estimated energy cost efficiency is 50 percent or more — Points: 100
   2. The estimated energy cost efficiency is between 30 and 50 percent — Points: 50
   3. The estimated energy cost efficiency is less than 30 percent — Points: 25
   4. Not Applicable — Points: 0