EKPC to Purchase Methane for Power Generation
Posted on Apr 14, 2014 in Renewable Energy | Comments Off on EKPC to Purchase Methane for Power Generation
A landfill near Glasgow, Kentucky, is leasing land and selling methane gas to East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC). The coop plans to construct a power generation facility that will use the methane to generate enough energy to power approximately 500 homes. The facility is being developed and constructed with a combination of grants from state and local programs as well as a loan...
Colorado Coop’s Energy Audit REAPs Success
Posted on Apr 10, 2014 in Energy Savings Programs, Financing, Innovation/Efficiency | Comments Off on Colorado Coop’s Energy Audit REAPs Success
Gunnison County Electric Association used a grant from the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to implement an energy audit program for local small businesses. The program ran from 2010-2012 and demonstrated how important low energy costs can be for small businesses. REAP offers cost-sharing grants and loan guarantees. Two additional REAP funding announcements are expected in...
Coop Pension Bill Now Law
Posted on Apr 10, 2014 in Corporate Governance, Legislative & Politics | Comments Off on Coop Pension Bill Now Law
President Obama recently signed into law the Cooperative and Small Employer Charity Pension Flexibility Act, which provides coops in the Retirement Security Plan greater stability and lower cost pressures related to the Pension Protection Act of 2006. To learn more about this development, click here.
Bipartisan Support Builds for Size and Flexibility of RUS Lending Program
Posted on Apr 7, 2014 in Financing, Legislative & Politics, Project Development, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Bipartisan Support Builds for Size and Flexibility of RUS Lending Program
One hundred sixty-nine House members—89 Republicans and 80 Democrats—have voiced their support for the Obama Administration’s proposal to set funding of the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Electric Loan Program at $5 billion for fiscal year 2015. However, they have also asked that the House agriculture appropriations subcommittee reject the Administration’s proposal to earmark as much...
CoBank Donates to Energy Research Partnership
Posted on Apr 7, 2014 in Innovation/Efficiency, Regulation & Policy, Technology | Comments Off on CoBank Donates to Energy Research Partnership
Oklahoma State University’s National Energy Solutions Institute and the Smart Energy Solutions Association will team up thanks to a $500,000 donation from CoBank, a national cooperative bank. The partnership aims to connect energy research to the marketplace for real world application. Click here for more information on this exciting opportunity.
Michigan Coop to Switch to District-Specific Board of Directors
Posted on Apr 2, 2014 in Corporate Governance | Comments Off on Michigan Coop to Switch to District-Specific Board of Directors
The members of Great Lakes Energy, an electric cooperative based in Boyne City, Michigan, have voted to adopt a bylaw amendment switching to district-based voting for board members. The board will be elected by members residing in each of nine newly created districts. To read more, click here.
Vermont Net Metering Frees Customers to Install Solar Panels
Posted on Apr 2, 2014 in Energy Savings Programs, Environmental, Legislative & Politics, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Vermont Net Metering Frees Customers to Install Solar Panels
Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin recently signed a new law that should help free customers of the state’s electric utilities and allow them to install solar panels on their homes. Previous legislation mandated a cap on the state’s net metering program of 4% of a utility’s peak demand. The new legislation increases this cap to 15%, allowing a greater number of Vermont customers access...
New Mexico Coop Official Ousted by Trustees
Posted on Apr 1, 2014 in Corporate Governance | Comments Off on New Mexico Coop Official Ousted by Trustees
In a move that is being contested as a violation of the coop’s rules, three trustees of the Mora-San Miguel Electric Cooperative voted to oust Alex Romero from his position as chief executive officer and general manager. Romero and Board Chairman Diego Quintana are calling the action illegal and “a hostile takeover.” Click here for an explanation of the vote and the potential reasons...
North Dakota Sees Rapid Electric Coop Growth
Posted on Apr 1, 2014 in Grid & Infrastructure, Project Development, Rates, Regulation & Policy, Reliability | Comments Off on North Dakota Sees Rapid Electric Coop Growth
North Dakota’s rural economic development is being sparked by the state’s oil and gas boom, which is benefiting electric coops. The Public Service Commission in the state has now approved two additional units for a Basin Electric Power Cooperative power plant. These two units will add 90 MW of capacity by late 2014, a much needed step towards keeping up with the unprecedented load...
Texas Coop Settles Suits from 2011 Labor Day Fire
Posted on Apr 1, 2014 in Grid & Infrastructure, Litigation | Comments Off on Texas Coop Settles Suits from 2011 Labor Day Fire
Texas-based Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative (Bluebonnet), which was accused of negligence in one of the most destructive fires in Texas history, has settled a number of lawsuits filed as a result of the 2011 Labor Day fire. The fire, which burned about 34,000 acres and resulted in two deaths, was caused when fallen trees knocked down Bluebonnet power lines, sparking a wildfire,...
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