Montana PSC’s Request to Intervene in Coop Bankruptcy Proceedings Is Denied
Posted on Mar 9, 2012 in Economic Downturn, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Montana PSC’s Request to Intervene in Coop Bankruptcy Proceedings Is Denied
A U.S. Bankruptcy judge denied the Montana Public Service Commission’s (PSC) request to intervene in the bankruptcy proceedings of Southern Montana Electric Generation and Transmission Cooperative, Inc. despite the PSC’s argument that intervention would be in the public interest. Counsel for the coop argued against intervention because the PSC does not regulate coops and is not a...
Georgia Legislature Considers Two Bills Impacting Cooperatives
Posted on Mar 9, 2012 in Financing, Innovation/Efficiency, Legislative & Politics | Comments Off on Georgia Legislature Considers Two Bills Impacting Cooperatives
The Georgia Senate this week passed a bill providing that consumers may elect not to use “smart meters.” Senate Bill 459 further permits the Georgia Public Service Commission to create and regulate a surcharge for consumers who elect not to use smart meters. The bill has been sent to the House for consideration. The full text of SB 459 can be viewed here. A second bill impacting...
Delaware Coop Makes Plans for Solar
Posted on Mar 8, 2012 in Project Development, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Delaware Coop Makes Plans for Solar
The Delaware Electric Cooperative plans to build a 4 MW solar park capable of expanding to 8 MW of power generation. SunEdison has been tapped to develop the project, which will cost roughly $14 million with a projected completion date by early 2013. The project will help the coop satisfy Delaware’s renewable energy standards and create jobs. The Delaware Journal has the full...
U.S. Department of Agriculture to Fund Rural Electric Infrastructure
Posted on Mar 8, 2012 in Financing, Grid & Infrastructure, Regulation & Policy, Reliability | Comments Off on U.S. Department of Agriculture to Fund Rural Electric Infrastructure
USDA Rural Development announced that rural electric coops in eight states will receive funding for smart grid technologies and generation and transmission facility improvements. The Rural Utilities Service will be charged with managing the $201 million in loans, of which about $25 million will go towards smart grid developments. The announcement came at the 2012 National Rural...
Old Dominion Coal-Fired Plant Obtains Initial Approval
Posted on Mar 6, 2012 in Environmental, Permitting, Project Development | Comments Off on Old Dominion Coal-Fired Plant Obtains Initial Approval
A $5 billion, 1,500-MW Old Dominion Electric Cooperative coal-fired plant has been granted a conditional use permit by the Dendron, Virginia, Town Council. The plant still needs to obtain environmental approvals. Read more here.
Potential Power Plant Sites Assessed in Nationwide Study
Posted on Mar 6, 2012 in Environmental, Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Land Use, Permitting, Project Development | Comments Off on Potential Power Plant Sites Assessed in Nationwide Study
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Electric Power Research Institute have issued a report assessing possible sites for future power generation in the U.S.. The researchers took into account factors such as siting constraints, terrain, access to water and proximity to large population centers. This type of detailed site analysis can support long-term strategic...
Western Farmers Electric Cooperative Contracts with Calpine for Capacity and Power
Posted on Mar 6, 2012 in Project Development | Comments Off on Western Farmers Electric Cooperative Contracts with Calpine for Capacity and Power
Calpine Corporation has entered into a long-term agreement to supply Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC) with electric generation capacity and power from Calpine’s Oneta Energy Center (OEC) in Oklahoma. The OEC is a natural gas, combined-cycle, 1,134-MW power plant. WFEC must still obtain certain approvals and satisfactory transmission service. Click here for more.
NSWC Indian Head Gets New Service Provider
Posted on Mar 5, 2012 in Grid & Infrastructure | Comments Off on NSWC Indian Head Gets New Service Provider
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) has become the electric service provider for the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) at Indian Head in Maryland. SMECO is taking over for Pepco who provided transmission service to NSWC for many years; NSWC was Pepco’s sole customer within the boundaries of SMECO’s service area. Southern Maryland Online has the full story.
Recent Storms Impact Coop Territories in Multiple States
Posted on Mar 5, 2012 in Environmental, Grid & Infrastructure | Comments Off on Recent Storms Impact Coop Territories in Multiple States
On March 2, multiple tornadoes and violent storms moved through communities served by electric cooperatives in several states, claiming at least 36 lives, injuring hundreds and leaving thousands more without power. The communications coordinator for Indiana-based Clark County Rural Electric Membership Corporation described some areas as being “literally wiped off the map.” Click here...
Montana Coops Negotiating New Payment Plans with Oil Companies
Posted on Mar 5, 2012 in Economic Downturn, Financing, Grid & Infrastructure | Comments Off on Montana Coops Negotiating New Payment Plans with Oil Companies
Some Montana coops are changing the way they structure payment plans with oil companies that need their oil well sites to be electrified. Lower Yellowstone Rural Electric Association (LYREA) is requiring payment up front from the oil companies rather than allowing payment through the monthly electricity rate. The cost of making payments all at once can add up; costs can reach about...
Subscribe
