NRECA Comments on Proposed Changes to Small Generator Interconnection Procedure
Posted on Jun 13, 2013 in Project Development, Regulation & Policy, Reliability, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on NRECA Comments on Proposed Changes to Small Generator Interconnection Procedure
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), along with other utility trade associations, submitted comments on a proposed rule by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to expand the interconnection procedures for small generators. Current interconnection standards provide for an expedited process given the low reliability risk attributed to small generators. The...
USDA Announces More Than $356 Million in Coop Loans
Posted on Jun 13, 2013 in Financing, Grid & Infrastructure, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on USDA Announces More Than $356 Million in Coop Loans
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced its latest round of funding for rural electric projects. The funding totals more than $356 million in loans and includes more than $15 million for smart grid investments. Click here to learn more about the coops that will receive the funding and the projects contemplated.
NRECA and EPA Spar over Review of Cross-State Air Pollution Rule
Posted on Jun 11, 2013 in Environmental, Litigation, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on NRECA and EPA Spar over Review of Cross-State Air Pollution Rule
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reject the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) plea for further review of the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, which was thrown out by an appeals court. The rule’s purpose was to slash interstate emissions from power plants under federal “good neighbor” provisions that allow the EPA...
House Subcommittee Advances Coal Ash Bill
Posted on Jun 11, 2013 in Environmental, Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on House Subcommittee Advances Coal Ash Bill
The House Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy voted June 6 to advance a new version of the Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013, which sets up a state-run program to regulate coal ash, a common byproduct of coal-based power plants. The Act also prevents the Environmental Protection Agency from classifying coal ash as a hazardous waste and subjecting it for the first...
EPA Agrees to Reconsider Environmental Requirements for Apache Generating Station
Posted on Jun 11, 2013 in Environmental, Legislative & Politics | Comments Off on EPA Agrees to Reconsider Environmental Requirements for Apache Generating Station
Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, the owner of the Apache Generating Station, recently received the good news that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reconsidering requirements that would have resulted in costly upgrades. The coop had requested that the EPA consider the Apache Generating Station’s unique situation to ensure that the coop is able to provide affordable...
House Subcommittee Rejects Administration’s RUS Limitations
Posted on Jun 6, 2013 in Financing, Grid & Infrastructure, Legislative & Politics | Comments Off on House Subcommittee Rejects Administration’s RUS Limitations
A House subcommittee supports a bill providing $4 billion to the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) loan program but opposes limitations on that amount proposed by the Obama Administration. The Administration would allocate $3 billion for renewable-energy-related projects and the remaining $1 billion to environmental upgrade projects. The House subcommittee would provide more flexibility...
Colorado Governor Signs Bill Requiring More Renewables
Posted on Jun 6, 2013 in Legislative & Politics, Project Development, Rates, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Colorado Governor Signs Bill Requiring More Renewables
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed into law a bill requiring certain rural cooperatives to obtain 20 percent and municipal utilities to obtain 10 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020. Smaller coops will not see the same increase. Rural coops may charge customers an additional two percent on their monthly bills to help pay for the additional...
Two G&T Coops Seek Change in Rail Shipping Regulations
Posted on Jun 6, 2013 in Innovation/Efficiency, Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Two G&T Coops Seek Change in Rail Shipping Regulations
Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC) and Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc. have joined other shippers in requesting that the federal Surface Transportation Board change rules related to switching carload freight between carriers. The proposal, called reciprocal switching, would allow captive shippers, subject to certain conditions, to access a second carrier if their...
NRECA Challenges FERC Regulation Under Order 1000
Posted on Jun 4, 2013 in Litigation, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on NRECA Challenges FERC Regulation Under Order 1000
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) is appealing three provisions of a major transmission planning and cost allocation rule issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). According to legal briefs filed by the NRECA, FERC’s Order 1000 violates the Federal Power Act in terms of reciprocity, cost allocation and public policy requirements involving...
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