Texas Cooperatives Agree to Purchase Solar Energy
Posted on May 21, 2019
Bartlett Electric Cooperative, Comanche Electric Cooperative, Heart of Texas Electric Cooperative, PenTex Energy and South Plains Electric Cooperative have signed agreements to purchase 7 MW of distribution-scale solar generation, providing an increased supply of cost-effective and clean energy to their members. All of the arrays are scheduled to begin operation by June 2020.
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FCC Appoints NRECA’s Matheson to Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee
Posted on May 20, 2019
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman, Ajit Pai, recently appointed National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) CEO, Jim Matheson, to serve on a Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee. The committee will identify new ways to encourage the expansion of broadband to rural communities, as well as aim to improve disaster response and recovery capabilities in the communications sector. The committee will meet for the first time on June...
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FERC Decision Draws NRECA Commentary
Posted on May 17, 2019
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) issued a statement criticizing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) refusal to reconsider rules on energy storage resources in wholesale markets. NRECA leadership noted that FERC’s assumption of discretionary authority may undermine local utilities’ and regulatory authorities’ management of storage resources for consumers.
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Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. to Purchase 236.5 MW of Wind Power from Enel Green Power
Posted on May 17, 2019
Enel Green Power’s new Missouri wind farm, set for construction in the second half of 2019, will provide all of its power to Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. The new power purchase agreement expands Associated’s portfolio of contracted wind sources to eight.
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Two Coops Receive Funding from FCC for Broadband
Posted on May 16, 2019
Two coops – ECO Services and United Services – will receive more than $20 million each from the Federal Communications Commission to expand broadband in Oklahoma and Missouri.
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NRECA Urges FCC to Advance $20 Billion for Broadband
Posted on May 14, 2019
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), along with America’s Communications Association and NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, are asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to advance a new $20 billion auction for building rural broadband. Dubbed the Rural Digital Opportunities Fund, this new auction is expected to offer up to $20.4 billion to build broadband in unserved or underserved census blocks identified by the FCC.
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Senators and Coops Voice Concerns Regarding FERC’s Distributed Energy Resources Proposal
Posted on May 9, 2019
A recent proposal from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) would allow third parties to aggregate distributed energy resources (DERs) and sell electricity on the wholesale electricity market. A group of U.S. Senators wrote a letter to FERC outlining the concerns heard from rural electric cooperatives regarding the potential adverse impact on reliability and prices for consumers if aggregation of DERs is determined by independent third parties and not at the local and state regulatory...
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Florida Coop to Receive $24.1 Million for Hurricane Michael Expenses
Posted on May 1, 2019
West Florida Electric Cooperative Association will receive $24.1 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for reimbursement of Hurricane Michael expenses. FEMA’s Public Assistance Program is an essential source of funding for communities recovering from federally-declared disasters or emergencies.
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USDA Accepting Applications for Funding Through ReConnect
Posted on Apr 30, 2019
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently established a loan and grant-based program to strengthen broadband in rural America. The program, known as the ReConnect Rural Broadband Pilot Program (ReConnect), will make at least $600 million available in rural broadband projects through the first round of funding.
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Coastal Electric Earns OSHA SHARP Certification
Posted on Apr 25, 2019
Coastal Electric Cooperative has become the first coop in Georgia, and the second coop nationally, to earn the Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) certification from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
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NAEC Dedicates Solar Array
Posted on Apr 25, 2019
North Arkansas Electric Cooperative (NAEC) dedicated its new 1 MW solar array. The 4,000-panel array started providing electricity to NAEC’s power grid about a month ago.
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Tenaska Closes Financing for Missouri Wind Project
Posted on Apr 22, 2019
Tenaska recently closed on $302 million of financing for the development of a 242 MW wind project to deliver power to Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. The project is expected to enter commercial operation in late 2019 and will provide new jobs in the Northwestern Missouri region.
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NRECA CEO Voices Support for President Trump’s Executive Orders on Energy Infrastructure
Posted on Apr 15, 2019
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) CEO, Jim Matheson, recently expressed support of President Trump’s Executive Orders on Energy Infrastructure Development: “Today’s announcement paves the way for electric coops to enhance system reliability and reduce wildfire risk by improving access to maintain and upgrade electric systems located on federal lands. By reducing bureaucratic red tape, today’s announcement helps prevent permitting delays and promotes the safety and reliability of our power...
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Midwest Electric Cooperatives Launch Battery Storage Project
Posted on Apr 15, 2019
In an effort to learn if the use of smart batteries can reduce peak electricity demand, or provide other benefits, four Midwestern electric cooperatives are experimenting with storage technology by installing smart batteries in some members’ homes. MiEnergy Cooperative, Richland Electric Cooperative, Oakdale Electric Cooperative and Jo-Carroll Energy pooled resources and knowledge to buy the smart batteries.
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