NRECA Asks FERC to Reconsider Order Against Iowa Coop
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 in Grid & Infrastructure, Litigation, Rates | Comments Off on NRECA Asks FERC to Reconsider Order Against Iowa Coop
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reconsider a recent order, which requires Midland Power Cooperative, based in Jefferson, Iowa, to obtain FERC’s authorization before disconnecting retail service to a local couple. The coop initiated the disconnection when the couple, who operate a small wind turbine in the...
Utility Drivers May Use Hands-Free Devices in Company Cars
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 in Regulation & Policy, Technology | Comments Off on Utility Drivers May Use Hands-Free Devices in Company Cars
Federal regulators have clarified the equipment covered by their recent ban on the use of hand-held mobile telephones by the drivers of vehicles owned by electric cooperatives and other utilities. These drivers—in fact, all commercial motor vehicle operators—can use push-to-talk mobile phones while behind the wheel, provided they do not “reach for, dial, or hold the actual mobile...
Advocacy Groups Oppose New Power Lines for We Energies Plant
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 in Environmental, Grid & Infrastructure, Project Development | Comments Off on Advocacy Groups Oppose New Power Lines for We Energies Plant
As the Sutherland Coop team reported on January 12, Wolverine Power Cooperative and We Energies have raised the possibility of a joint venture, which could help to avoid shutting down the Presque Isle coal-fired power plant in 2017 due to the added costs of the Environmental Protection Agency’s new environmental rules. Two advocacy groups now are opposing the addition of power lines...
Texas Coop Employees Vote Against Unionizing
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 in Corporate Governance | Comments Off on Texas Coop Employees Vote Against Unionizing
Lineman and other employees at Pedernales Electric Cooperative voted 127 to 78 against joining the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 66. In a statement, R.B. Sloan, the coop’s chief executive officer, personally thanked employees for their faith in management and the board of directors. Read more here.
Federal Court Denies Coop’s Request to File Separate Brief in Suit Against EPA
Posted on Jan 20, 2012 in Environmental | Comments Off on Federal Court Denies Coop’s Request to File Separate Brief in Suit Against EPA
According to a recent order, energy industry participants have until February 9 to file their briefs in connection with their challenge of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule. The federal court denied requests, including one request by East Kentucky Power Cooperative, to file separate briefs. Hearings are scheduled to begin in April. Click here...
Missouri Bill Introduced to Promote Smart Grid Technologies
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 in Grid & Infrastructure, Legislative & Politics | Comments Off on Missouri Bill Introduced to Promote Smart Grid Technologies
A new bill introduced in the Missouri House of Representatives would make it easier to attach smart grid and broadband communication equipment to telecommunication poles and rural coop distribution system poles. The proposed bill would allow the pole owner to charge a reasonable rate based on costs incurred from the attachments and aims to spread these and other advanced technologies...
County Grants Exception for Maryland Solar Farm
Posted on Jan 19, 2012 in Permitting, Project Development, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on County Grants Exception for Maryland Solar Farm
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative’s (SMECO’s) proposed 5.5 MW solar farm located in Charles County, Maryland, will move forward thanks to an exception granted by the Charles County Board of Appeals. The planned solar farm will help SMECO meet its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requirements as imposed by the Maryland Public Service Commission. The estimated cost of the solar...
Bastrop Wildfire Lawsuit Against Bluebonnet Electric Coop Resolved, But Others Remain
Posted on Jan 17, 2012 in Grid & Infrastructure, Litigation, Reliability | Comments Off on Bastrop Wildfire Lawsuit Against Bluebonnet Electric Coop Resolved, But Others Remain
A $6 million lawsuit against Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and McCoy Tree Surgery over a 2009 wildfire in Bastrop County was resolved last week without a jury decision. The parties have declined comment on the case, which was set for jury trial, to determine whether a falling tree knocked down sagging power lines, sparking a fire in the utility’s right of way. Eleven other lawsuits...
Texas Coop Employees to Vote on Unionization
Posted on Jan 17, 2012 in Corporate Governance | Comments Off on Texas Coop Employees to Vote on Unionization
Pedernales Electric Cooperative linemen and other employees will vote on Jan. 18 and 19 on whether to join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 66. The National Labor Relations Board will hold the election. A majority vote would create the first union in the history of Pedernales, the nation’s largest electric cooperative. Read more here.
Civil Suit Against Texas Coop Underway
Posted on Jan 12, 2012 in Grid & Infrastructure, Litigation, Reliability | Comments Off on Civil Suit Against Texas Coop Underway
A hearing is underway in a civil suit against Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative in which homeowners allege the coop’s negligence triggered a 2009 fire that damaged homes and businesses in Central Texas. Plaintiffs claim the fire was caused by the coop’s inadequate wire connections and power lines and the location of combustible material nearby, but the coop asserts a fallen tree is to...
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