CFTC Chairman Mentions Possible Exemption of Coops from Dodd-Frank
Posted on Feb 29, 2012 in Legislative & Politics | Comments Off on CFTC Chairman Mentions Possible Exemption of Coops from Dodd-Frank
In testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, the Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) briefly mentioned that the CFTC was considering exempting rural electric cooperatives from certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank regulations. The complete testimony can be found here.
Facility Owners Should Heed New Cybersecurity Legislation
Posted on Feb 29, 2012 in Grid & Infrastructure, Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy, Reliability | Comments Off on Facility Owners Should Heed New Cybersecurity Legislation
The push for new legislation to combat cybersecurity threats appears to be gaining steam in Congress. While election year politics, competing legislative priorities and other roadblocks may ultimately derail these legislative efforts, owners of critical infrastructure should take heed: Facility owners would be subject to “performance requirements,” certification...
New Hampshire Coop Customers Bring Suit Over “Smart Meters”
Posted on Feb 27, 2012 in Grid & Infrastructure, Litigation, Technology | Comments Off on New Hampshire Coop Customers Bring Suit Over “Smart Meters”
A group of eight customers of Plymouth-based New Hampshire Electric Cooperative have brought suit in Grafton County Superior Court, arguing that they should have the option to refuse to have so-called “smart meters” installed at their homes. The plaintiffs are concerned about possible negative health consequences from exposure to electromagnetic radiation emanating from the meters. ...
Cross-State Air Pollution Rule Lawsuit Gains Steam
Posted on Feb 27, 2012 in Grid & Infrastructure, Legislative & Politics, Litigation, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Cross-State Air Pollution Rule Lawsuit Gains Steam
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and several G&Ts have joined in a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule. The new rule sets emissions caps and procedures for nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide that contribute to ozone formation in 27 eastern states and uses a system of tradable emissions allowances. The...
Partnership Continues to Promote Kansas Transmission Projects
Posted on Feb 23, 2012 in Grid & Infrastructure, Project Development | Comments Off on Partnership Continues to Promote Kansas Transmission Projects
ITC Great Plains, LLC, Sunflower Electric Power Corporation and Mid-Kansas Electric Company, LLC will continue their partnership efforts to build transmission projects in Kansas. The parties expanded their existing partnership agreement to give ITC Great Plains the exclusive option to build projects that Sunflower and Mid-Kansas choose not to construct. Click here for the full...
G&T Coops Feel the Sting of Low Natural Gas Prices
Posted on Feb 21, 2012 in Rates | Comments Off on G&T Coops Feel the Sting of Low Natural Gas Prices
Natural gas prices have hit record lows, a trend that likely will not change any time soon due to the mild winter and the glut of domestic supply. This may be good news to some. However, generation and transmission coops – which generate only 12 percent of their electricity from natural gas – are now facing the rare challenge of seeing their mainstay coal units edged out by currently...
NRECA Expresses Concern Over Compliance Deadlines for Utility Mercury Air Toxics Standards
Posted on Feb 17, 2012 in Environmental | Comments Off on NRECA Expresses Concern Over Compliance Deadlines for Utility Mercury Air Toxics Standards
In a press release, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) highlighted the problems coops face in complying with deadlines for new mercury air toxics standards for utilities. The NRECA warns of the higher costs that will result when coops have to purchase substitute generation in the wholesale markets in the event they are unable to comply with the ambitious...
Dispute Between Native American Tribe and Coop Over Fees for Right-of-Way
Posted on Feb 17, 2012 in Land Use, Litigation | Comments Off on Dispute Between Native American Tribe and Coop Over Fees for Right-of-Way
The Continental Divide Electric Cooperative and the Pueblo of Acoma in New Mexico are involved in a dispute over what fees the coop must pay to enter the tribe’s land to serve its customers. A 50-year agreement giving the coop access to the land expired in 2002, but the parties have been unable to reach a new agreement. The Pueblo of Acoma recently filed claims with the tribal court...
Board of Supervisors to Reconsider Opposition to Virginia Coal Plant
Posted on Feb 16, 2012 in Legislative & Politics, Project Development | Comments Off on Board of Supervisors to Reconsider Opposition to Virginia Coal Plant
The Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors’ may rescind a November 2011 resolution opposing a proposed $6 billion coal-fired generation plant. The Board had opposed the Old Dominion Electric Cooperative project in Surry County, Virginia, due to environmental and economic development concerns. The Board, now composed of new, will revisit its position regarding the plant this week....
Budget Reform Bill Could Impact RUS Lending
Posted on Feb 14, 2012 in Economic Downturn, Financing, Legislative & Politics | Comments Off on Budget Reform Bill Could Impact RUS Lending
A budget reform bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives may place unnecessary limits on Rural Utilities Service (RUS) lending to electric coops, according to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). The bill, H.R. 3581, is intended to incorporate market risk into the cost of government credit programs, such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, but would also...
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