Small Business Investment Companies-Energy Saving Qualified Investments

摘要

In this rule, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) sets forth defined terms for "Energy Saving Qualified Investment" and "Energy Saving Activities" for the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program. These definitions are established to implement a provision of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Energy Act), which allows an SBIC making an "energy saving qualified investment" to obtain SBA leverage by issuing a deferred interest "energy saving debenture". This rule also implements a provision of the Energy Act that provides access to additional SBA leverage for SBICs that have made Energy Saving Qualified Investments in Smaller Enterprises. This final rule includes changes based on public comments received on the proposed rule published in the Federal Register on January 11, 2011. Generally, the changes allow a broader range of potential investments to qualify as Energy Saving Qualified Investments and reduce the need for SBICs to obtain pre-financing determinations of eligibility from SBA.