Eversheds Sutherland Coop Law Blog
content top

Vermont Public Service Board Considers Privacy Implications of Smart Grid Technology

As utilities in Vermont continue to implement various smart grid programs, the Vermont Public Service Board is evaluating the potential for both use and misuse of customer data.   The CEO of the Vermont Electric Cooperative, David Hallquist, is focusing on cybersecurity, in particular, as the coop grows its smart grid program.  Vermont Public Radio has been covering this...

Nueces Electric Cooperative Prepares for Tropical Storm Don

As the storm approaches south Texas, Nueces Electric Cooperative is implementing its Emergency Response Plan.   The coop’s plan includes organizing the resources that may be necessary for repairs and prioritizing which transmission lines and substations should be serviced first.   TEC Crisis Communications has more on this story.

Homer Electric Association Positioned to Buy Power Plant

Through its subsidiary Alaska Electric and Energy Cooperative, the Homer Electric Association (HEA) plans to purchase the Bernice Lake Power Plant with a generation capacity of roughly 69.9 MW for $11.8 million. The deal is conditioned on obtaining Regulatory Commission of Alaska approval to amortize the purchase price over several years. The plant is currently owned by the Chugach...

Carroll Electric Responds to Members’ Complaint

Carroll Electric Cooperative Corporation issued a statement Tuesday in response to a July 19 complaint filed with the Arkansas Public Service Commission by cooperative members. Among other matters addressed in the complaint, members requested increased transparency and democratic governance of the coop. In its statement, Carroll Electric pointed to a May survey as evidence of member...

Brewster Wind Turbine Power Purchase Approved

The City of Brewster’s purchase of power from Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative has been approved.  Brewster will purchase power from two CVEC 1.8MW municipal wind turbines. This approval was required for CVEC to seek an exemption from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities from town zoning laws. The Cape Cod Times has more on this story here.  Also, background on the...

Vermont Electric Cooperative Approves Line Upgrade Also Necessary for Lowell Wind Project

In an effort to save money for a $12 million upgrade to a 16.9-mile transmission line, members of Vermont Electric Cooperative Inc. approved sharing a transmission line with a wind energy project being developed by Green Mountain Power Corp. in Lowell, Massachusetts.  Green Mountain Power agreed to pay $7 million of the upgrade costs (leaving VEC with $5 million of the upgrade costs)....

SWEPCO Settles With Arkansas Landowners in Coal Plant Suit

Louisiana-based Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) has reached a settlement with landowners opposing the construction of its $2 billion, 600-megawatt, coal-fired plant in Arkansas.  The confidential settlement means that legal challenges by area landowners to the plant’s air and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits have been dropped.  This is only part of the battle for SWEPCO,...

Copper Thefts on the Rise, New Laws May Result in New Hampshire

New Hampshire may adopt a new law that would require salvage businesses, such as scrap metal companies, to obtain driver’s license information from anyone attempting to sell copper. Copper thefts are on the rise in New Hampshire, and three separate incidents occurred in the last five weeks. State-level oversight would promote uniformity because current local ordinances (if any) vary on...

North Dakota May See Federal Takeover of Regional Haze Rules

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to file a notice on August 18 to take over the state’s authority to manage federal regional haze rules. Federal and state regulators disagree on which technology Minnkota Power Cooperative and Basin Electric Power Cooperative must install to reduce certain power plant emissions. The Bismarck Tribune has the full story.

Deadline for PSC Approval of CapX2020 Transmission Line Extended

Although the Wisconsin Public Service Commission typically has 180 days to consider applications for major projects, a judge recently approved a six-month extension for the application filed by Dairyland Power Cooperative, Xcel Energy and Wisconsin Public Power Inc. for the CapX2020 transmission line.  The proposed transmission line would connect Minnesota with La Crosse, Wisconsin. ...

« Older Entries