Minnesota Coop Offers Customer Choice of Wind Power
Posted on Oct 15, 2018
The city of Eden Prairie, Minnesota is encouraging residents to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by electing to power their homes through renewable energy. The Renewable Energy Challenge, running through October 31, allows users to convert to a green fuel source for a small monthly fee. The participating programs are Xcel Energy’s Windsource and Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative’s...
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NRECA Participates in Cybersecurity Briefing
Posted on Oct 10, 2018
Jeff Baumgartner, senior adviser at the Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER), addressed a congressional staff briefing on Capitol Hill. The briefing was organized by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the American Public Power Association and the Edison Electric Institute to kick off National Cyber Security Awareness Month. A panel of cybersecurity experts emphasized the importance of the federal government working with utilities and the value of sharing...
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FEMA Approves Grant for Repairs of Utility Infrastructure
Posted on Oct 8, 2018
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently approved a $1,743,876 grant to Vermont Electric Cooperative for the repair of 54 transformers and 2,887 miles of transmission and distribution electric conductor line poles damaged by severe storm and flooding in October 2017. This grant is funded through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program which provides grant reimbursement to communities for expenses incurred in the immediate response to, and recovery from, a...
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NRECA RC3 Program Helps Coops Address Cybersecurity
Posted on Oct 4, 2018
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) Rural Cooperative Cybersecurity Capabilities Program (RC3), which is currently in its third year of funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, helps coops with cybersecurity by providing tools, training and resources tailored to the unique needs of coops. Since the program started in 2016, RC3 has provided cybersecurity training to more than 200 leaders at 36 coops, has held cybersecurity summits around the country, and has begun writing a series of cybersecurity guidebooks for...
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Electric Industry and Government Work Together to Enhance Grid Cybersecurity
Posted on Oct 3, 2018
For years, electric utilities have worked closely with government security experts to share emerging threat data and information on vulnerabilities to thwart cyberattacks. The Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council (ESCC), the main liaison between the electric industry and the federal government, aims to coordinate efforts to prepare for or respond to major disasters or threats to critical infrastructure such as cyberattacks. Duane Highley, the president and CEO of the Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., serves as a co-chair of the...
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ACE Rule the ‘Best Path Forward’ for Electric Cooperatives
Posted on Oct 3, 2018
On October 1, 2018, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) CEO Jim Matheson testified in support of the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule. “The proposed ACE rule provides crucial flexibility so electric coops can respond to market conditions, technologies and industry changes at the same time they continue to contribute to the vitality and prosperity of the communities they serve,” said Matheson. NRECA will file detailed comments on the ACE proposal at the end of the...
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NRECA Joins Coalition to Comment on Endangered Species Act Regulations
Posted on Sep 26, 2018
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) joined the ESA Cross-Industry Coalition to submit comments in response to the three proposals from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service to amend their Endangered Species Act regulations.
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Cooperative Energy Signs Solar PPA
Posted on Sep 25, 2018
Cooperative Energy, a Mississippi electric cooperative, has signed a 100 MW solar power purchase agreement (PPA) with Renewable Energy Systems (RES). RES will sell the power from its Delta’s Edge project, a 652-acre solar facility.
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NWEC Receives $8 Million Loan for Infrastructure Improvements
Posted on Sep 25, 2018
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that North Western Electric Cooperative (NWEC) will receive an $8 million federal loan to build and improve power lines in northwest Ohio. NWEC will use the loan to build 20 miles of new line and improve 40 miles of existing line, which is expected to bring 140 additional consumers to a system which currently serves more than 6,000 rural customers.
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NRECA Identifies Top Priorities for Farm Bill
Posted on Sep 25, 2018
The House and Senate each passed versions of the Farm Bill earlier this summer and are seeking to reach a compromise on the legislation in the fall. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) is urging lawmakers on the Farm Bill conference committee, tasked with coming up with the final version of the bill, to consider priorities of electric cooperatives.
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Shelby Electric Secures Loan for Local Manufacturer
Posted on Sep 25, 2018
Shelby Electric Cooperative (Shelby Electric) assisted IHI Turbo America, a designer and manufacturer of diesel, gasoline and natural gas turbocharger products, in receiving a $2 million loan from the USDA Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program. The interest-free loan will help the manufacturer fund a 250,000-square-foot facility expansion.
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Arkansas Coops Moving Away From Coal
Posted on Sep 24, 2018
Although coal remains a significant fuel source in the state of Arkansas, the state’s energy producers are currently focused on lower-emission natural gas-fueled generation and renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar. The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects natural gas generation to rise to 34% nationally by 2019, up from 32% in 2017. Coal’s share, 30% in 2017, is expected to be 27% in 2019.
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USDA Loans $398.5 Million Dollars to Cooperatives for Infrastructure Improvements
Posted on Sep 20, 2018
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $398.5 million dollars through the Electric Infrastructure Loan Program to improve rural electric service in 13 states.
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Colorado Cooperative Sets Goal of 70% Clean Energy
Posted on Sep 20, 2018
Holy Cross Energy (HCE), a Colorado electric cooperative, announced its adoption of a plan called SEVENTY70THIRTY. By 2030, HCE will use clean and renewable resources for 70% of the power supplied by HCE to its customers, reduce greenhouse emissions by 70% compared to its 2014 levels and achieve both of these goals with no additional increase in the cost of power supply.
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