Electric Cooperatives Connect Rural America to Broadband
Posted on Jun 3, 2025
More than 150 cooperative leaders are in Washington DC this week to discuss efforts to improve rural broadband internet at the NRECA Broadband Leadership Summit. Those conversations have highlighted the need for continued public investment to future-proof networks.
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Dairyland and GridLiance to Develop MariBell Transmission Project
Posted on May 14, 2025
Dairyland Power Cooperative and GridLiance Heartland have partnered to co-develop the MariBell Transmission Project, a 139-mile, 765/161 kV transmission line connecting Minnesota and Wisconsin, as part of MISO’s Long Range Transmission Planning initiative. Scheduled for completion in 2034, the project aims to enhance grid reliability, flexibility, and economic growth across the Upper Midwest.
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Minnkota Power Cooperative’s $60 Million Infrastructure Upgrade
Posted on Apr 18, 2025
Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc. (“Minnkota”) is strengthening its grid with the help of a $60 million federal loan, aligning with national efforts to enhance energy resilience and infrastructure reliability. The funding will support Minnkota’s strategic investment in modern technology for real-time monitoring and faster responses during outages. These improvements will ensure dependable service for over 153,000 member-consumers, position Minnkota to meet rising energy demands, and support rural economic growth well into the future.
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Co-Op Leaders Tout that New Executive Orders Enhance Electric Grid Reliability
Posted on Apr 10, 2025
President Trump signed new executive orders aimed at boosting the reliability of the electric grid by supporting coal-fired power plants and removing regulatory barriers. Electric cooperative leaders praised these actions, emphasizing the importance of always-available energy sources like coal to meet rising electricity demand. The orders are seen as part of a broader strategy to ensure affordable and reliable power for American families and businesses.
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Vermont Electric Cooperative Leverages AI to Strengthen Grid Resilience Against Severe Weather
Posted on Mar 28, 2025
Vermont Electric Cooperative is partnering with Rhizome, a software that uses AI and machine learning to identify vulnerable points in their power grid, to better prepare for severe weather events. This software will help the utility prioritize investments and mitigate damage from increasingly severe storms without significantly impacting rates for their low-income customers. Additionally, the co-op is using drones for post-weather event repairs and maintenance to enhance their response efficiency.
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Bandera Electric Cooperative Pilots Virtual Power Plants in Texas
Posted on Feb 18, 2025
Bandera Electric Cooperative qualified for a Texas pilot program allowing distribution members to contribute power from community energy resources such as solar panels, home device batteries and electric cars back to the grid.
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AEPCO Awarded $485 Million Under New ERA
Posted on Feb 7, 2025
The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded $485 million to Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO) through its New Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program to invest in AEPCO’s large-scale solar and battery energy storage system projects. The funding will also support the retirement of AEPCO’s remaining coal assets by 2028, modernizing its energy infrastructure and reducing emissions by approximately 70%. The solar projects will generate 730 megawatts of power, and the battery storage will provide 2,910 megawatt hours of capacity to help cover peaks in demand.
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North Dakota Co-Ops Receive $1.5B for Renewable Infrastructure
Posted on Jan 24, 2025
Great River Energy and Basin Electric Cooperative in North Dakota received over $1.5 billion from the USDA’s New ERA program. Great River Energy will use $794 million to procure 1,275 megawatts of renewable energy, creating over 1,600 jobs and emissions by over 5.49 million tons annually. Basin Electric will use $775 million to enhance renewable energy assets, creating jobs and providing over $400 million in cost benefits to members.
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Minnkota Power Cooperative and PRC Wind Announce New Wind Farm
Posted on Jan 17, 2025
Minnkota Power Cooperative and PRC Wind have announced plans to develop the 370-megawatt Flickertail Wind Farm near New Rockford, North Dakota, with construction set to begin in 2027. The project, originating from a collaboration between local community members and the New Rockford economic development board, will provide cost-effective, carbon-free energy through a long-term agreement with Minnkota to purchase the electricity produced. The wind farm will be located on 43,000 acres across Wells and Eddie Counties, creating 300 jobs during construction and contributing around $100 million to...
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San Miguel Electric Cooperative, Inc. Secures $1.4 Billion for New Renewable Facility
Posted on Jan 10, 2025
San Miguel Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SMEC) has secured over $1.4 billion from the USDA’s New ERA program to transition its current coal operations to a new 400 megawatt (MW) solar facility and 200 MW of battery storage. The shift aims to reduce environmental pollution and provide affordable renewable energy to forty-seven rural South Texas counties. SMEC is one of fifteen cooperatives that have been awarded funding under the New ERA program so far.
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New G&T in Louisiana
Posted on Jan 3, 2025
1803 Electric Cooperative (1803), a generation and transmission cooperative, began serving its first member, Northeast Louisiana Power Cooperative (NLPC) on January 1, 2025, and will start serving its other four founding co-ops in April of 2025. 1803 was founded by NLPC and four other co-ops to cut costs, improve reliability, and gain greater control over their power supply decisions. 1803’s CEO, Brian Hobbs, highlighted that their energy contract request for proposal attracted over 20 unique companies and a 20 percent lower bid by their incumbent provider.
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NRECA President Pens Letter to Trump Administration on Energy Priorities
Posted on Dec 10, 2024
The president of the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association has written a letter to the Trump administration highlighting high-priority items for electric cooperatives.
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Flathead Electric Cooperative Receives Grant Funding to Mitigate Wildfire Risks
Posted on Dec 5, 2024
Flathead Electric Cooperative has received an over $2.6 million grant from the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships program to mitigate wildfire risks in the Essex area. Funding will support trimming the trees adjacent to power lines, which will be aided by satellite imagery that can identify the trees most at risk of coming into contact with power lines.
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Electric Cooperative Joins Suit Against Federal Government for Denied Compensation
Posted on Nov 22, 2024
Mora-San Miguel Electric Cooperative is joining Mora County and two school districts in a lawsuit against the federal government for more than $1 billion in wildfire damages after their compensation claims were denied. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque, New Mexico, claims extensive damage to critical infrastructure following the historic Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, which began as prescribed burns set by the U.S. Forest Service and became the largest wildfire in New Mexico’s history. Despite Congress setting aside nearly $4 billion for claims, plaintiffs argue...
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