§ 609.4 - Submission of applications.

§ 609.4 Submission of applications.

(a) In response to a Solicitation, an Applicant must meet all requirements and provide all information specified in this part and the Solicitation in the manner and on or before the date specified in the Solicitation. DOE may direct that Applications be submitted in more than one part; provided, that the parts of such Application, taken as a whole, satisfy the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section and this part. contain such information published by DOE in guidance on the Title XVII Loan Guarantee Program website pursuant to § 609.19. In such event, subsequent parts of an Application may be filed only after DOE invites an Applicant to make an additional submission. If DOE directs that Applications be submitted in more than one part, the initial part of an Application shall contain information sufficient for DOE to determine that the project proposed by an Applicant will be, or may reasonably become, an Eligible Project, and to evaluate such project's readiness to proceed. If there have been any material amendments, modifications, or additions made to the information previously submitted by an Applicant, the Applicant shall provide a detailed description thereof, including any changes in the proposed project's financing structure or other terms, promptly upon request by DOE. Where DOE has directed that an Application be submitted in parts, DOE may provide for payment of the Application Fee in parts.

(b) An Applicant may submit only one Application Applications for one proposed project using a particular technology. An Applicant multiple proposed projects and for projects using different technologies; provided that an Applicant for an Innovative Energy Project or Innovative Supply Chain Project may not submit an Application or Applications for multiple Eligible Projects Innovative Energy Projects or multiple Innovative Supply Chain Projects using the same technology. An Applicant may submit Applications for multiple proposed projects using different technologies. For purposes of this paragraph (b), the term Applicant “Applicant” shall include the Project Sponsor and any subsidiaries or affiliates of the Project Sponsor.

(c) The open application period shall be rolling, and DOE may accept Applications at any time.

(d) An Application must include, at a minimum, the following information and materials:

(1) A completed Application form signed by an individual with full authority to bind the Applicant, including the commitments and representations made in each part of the Application;

(2) The applicable Application Fee;

(3) A description of how, and to what measurable extent, the proposed project avoids, reduces, or sequesters air pollutants and/or anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases at any level, including how to measure and verify those effects; there is not a minimum threshold of avoidance, reduction, or sequestration of air pollutants and/or anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases that a proposed project must show to be accepted so long as some reduction is reasonably demonstrated;

(4) A description of the nature and scope of the proposed project (with preliminary information where appropriate), including:

(i) Key project milestones;

(ii) Location or locations of the proposed project;

(iii) Identification and commercial feasibility of the New or Significantly Improved Technology to be deployed;

(iv) How the Applicant intends to deploy such New or Significantly Improved Technology in the proposed project; and

(v) How the Applicant intends to assure, to the extent possible, the further commercial availability of the New or Significantly Improved Technology in the United States;

(5) An explanation of how the proposed project qualifies as a project within the category or categories of projects referred to in the Solicitation;

(6) A detailed estimate of the total Project Costs together with a description of the methodology and assumptions used;

(7) A detailed description of the engineering and design contractor(s), construction contractor(s), and equipment supplier(s);

(8) The construction schedules for the proposed project, including major activity and cost milestones;

(9) A description of the material terms and conditions of the development and construction contracts to include the performance guarantees, performance bonds, liquidated damages provisions, and equipment warranties;

(10) A detailed description of the operations and maintenance provider(s), the proposed project operating plan, estimated staffing requirements, parts inventory, major maintenance schedule, estimated annual downtime, and performance guarantees and related liquidated damage provisions, if any;

(11) A description of the management plan of operations to be employed in carrying out the proposed project, and information concerning the management experience of each officer or key person associated with the proposed project;

(12) A detailed description of the proposed project decommissioning, deconstruction, and disposal plan, and the anticipated costs associated therewith;

(13) An analysis of the market for any product (including but not limited to electricity and chemicals) to be produced by, or services to be provided by, the proposed project, including relevant economics justifying the analysis, and copies of:

(i) Any contracts, or draft contracts reflecting the current state of actual negotiations between relevant parties, for the sale of such products or the provision of such services; or

(ii) Any other assurance of the revenues to be generated from sale of such products or provision of such services;

(14) A detailed description of the overall financial plan for the proposed project, including all sources and uses of funding, equity and debt, and the liability of parties associated with the proposed project over the term of the Loan Guarantee Agreement;

(15) A copy of all material agreements, whether entered into or proposed, relevant to the investment, design, engineering, financing, construction, startup commissioning, shakedown, operations, and maintenance of the proposed project;

(16) A copy of the financial closing checklist for the equity and debt to the extent available;

(17) The Applicant's business plan on which the proposed project is based and Applicant's financial model with respect to the proposed project for the proposed term of the Guaranteed Obligations, including, as applicable, pro forma income statements, balance sheets, and cash flows. All such information and data must include assumptions made in their preparation and the range of revenue, operating cost, and credit assumptions considered;

(18) Financial statements for the three immediately preceding fiscal years of the Applicant (or such shorter period as the Applicant has been in existence) that have been audited by an independent certified public accounting firm, including all associated certifications, notes and letters to management, as well as interim financial statements and notes for the current fiscal year for the Applicant and all other Persons the credit of which is material to the success of the transactions described in the Application;

(19) A copy of all legal opinions, and other material reports, analyses, and reviews related to the proposed project that have been delivered prior to submission of any part of the Application;

(20) An engineering report prepared by an engineer with experience in the industry and familiarity with similar projects. The report should address the proposed project's siting and permitting arrangements, engineering and design, contractual requirements, environmental compliance, testing, commissioning and operations, and maintenance;

(21) A credit history of the Applicant and each Project Sponsor;

(22) A preliminary credit assessment for the proposed project without a loan guarantee from a nationally recognized rating agency for projects where the estimated total Project Costs exceed $25 million. For proposed projects where the total estimated Project Costs are $25 million or less and where conditions justify, in the sole discretion of the Secretary, DOE may require such an assessment;

(23) A list showing the status of and estimated completion date of Applicant's required applications for Federal, state, and local permits, authorizations or approvals to site, construct, and operate the proposed project;

(24) A report containing an analysis of the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project that will enable DOE to—

(i) Assess whether the proposed project will comply with all applicable environmental requirements; and

(ii) Undertake and complete any necessary reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969;

(25) A listing and description of the assets of or to be utilized for the benefit of the proposed project, and of any other asset that will serve as collateral pledged in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, including appropriate data as to the value of such assets and the useful life of any physical assets. With respect to real property assets listed, an appraisal that is consistent with the “Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice,” promulgated by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation, and performed by licensed or certified appraisers, is required;

(26) An analysis demonstrating that, at the time of the Application, there is a reasonable prospect that Borrower will be able to repay the Guaranteed Obligations (including interest) according to their terms, and a complete description of the operational and financial assumptions and methodologies on which this demonstration is based; and

(27) If proposed project assets or facilities are or will be jointly owned by the Applicant and one or more other Persons, each of which owns an undivided ownership interest in such proposed project assets or facilities, a description of the Applicant's rights and obligations in respect of its undivided ownership interest in such proposed project assets or facilities.

(e) During the Application evaluation process pursuant to § 609.5, DOE may request additional information, potentially including a preliminary credit rating or credit assessment, with respect to the proposed project.

(f) DOE will not consider any part of any Application or the Application as a whole complete unless the Application Fee (or the required portion of the Application Fee related to a particular part of the Application) has been paid. An Application Fee paid in connection with one Application is not transferable to another Application. Except in the discretion of DOE, no portion of the Application Fee is refundable.

(g) DOE has no obligation to evaluate an Application that is not complete, and may proceed with such evaluation, or a partial evaluation, only in its discretion.

(h)

DOE has no obligation to evaluate an Application that is not complete, and may proceed with such evaluation, or a partial evaluation, only in its discretion. DOE will not design an Eligible Project for Applicants, but may respond, in its discretion, in general terms to specific proposals. DOE's response to questions from potential Applicants are pre-decisional and preliminary in nature.

(d) Unless an Applicant requests an extension and such an extension is granted by DOE in its discretion, an Application may be rejected if it is not complete within

four

two years from the date of submission (or date of submission of the first part thereof, in the case of Applications made in more than one part).

(

i) Upon making a determination to engage independent consultants or outside counsel with respect to an Application, DOE will proceed to evaluate and process such Application only following execution by an Applicant or Project Sponsor, as appropriate, of an agreement satisfactory to DOE to pay the fees and expenses charged by the independent consultants and outside legal counsel.

(j) Following a determination by DOE that an Application or, if applicable, the initial part of an Application, adequately describes an Eligible Project, or a project that may reasonably become an Eligible Project, DOE may offer a Preliminary Term Sheet to be utilized by an Applicant for the purpose of obtaining its third party contracts or offtake agreements, or for any other lawful purpose that may reasonably assist an Applicant in obtaining the information or conditional agreements required to complete an Application, subject to any terms and conditions required by DOE and applicable law. DOE may issue a Preliminary Term Sheet only if it determines that an Applicant has shown in an Application or, if applicable, the initial part of an Application, a reasonable likelihood of being able to satisfy the requirements of the Act and enter into a Conditional Commitment, but for the lack of a Preliminary Term Sheet. The Applicant shall be responsible for payment of any fees assessed or costs incurred by DOE that are associated with the issuance of the Preliminary Term Sheet. Notwithstanding any provision of a Preliminary Term Sheet to the contrary, the issuance of a Preliminary Term Sheet shall impose no obligation on DOE to proceed with an Application, or to enter into a Conditional Commitment, which matters shall be governed exclusively by the Act and the requirements set forth in § 609.5. Further, DOE may, in its sole discretion, terminate or rescind a Preliminary Term Sheet should an Applicant fail to meet any of the terms and conditions required therein.

(k) At any time in the lending process, the Secretary of Energy may exercise his deviation authority under § 609.16 to make such deviations from this part as he may deem to be in the best interests of DOE, where such deviation supports program objectives and the special circumstances stated in any deviation request are clearly in the best interests of the Government.

(l) DOE shall respond, in writing, to any inquiry by an Applicant about the status of its Application within ten (10) business days of receipt of such request

e) DOE shall respond, in writing, to any inquiry by an Applicant about the status of its Application within ten (10) days of receipt of such request. If an Application has been pending before DOE for 180 days or more, such response shall include:

(1) A description of the current status of review of the Application;

(2) A summary of any factors that are delaying a final decision on the Application, a list of what items are required in order to reach a final decision, citations to authorities stating the reasons why such items are required, and a list of actions the Applicant can take to expedite the process; and

(3) An estimate of when a final decision on the Application will be made.