NERC Study Finds EPA’s Clean Power Plan Unworkable
Posted on Apr 30, 2015 in Climate Change, Environmental, Grid & Infrastructure, Legislative & Politics, Project Development, Regulation & Policy, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on NERC Study Finds EPA’s Clean Power Plan Unworkable
A recent North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) study finds that the Clean Power Plan of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would require that electric cooperatives shut down approximately 21 percent of their coal generation by 2025. The study also found that the generation and transmission projects necessary to fill the void left by coal generation would not be...
Electric Cooperatives Top List of Solar Producers for 2014
Posted on Apr 30, 2015 in Climate Change, Environmental, Grid & Infrastructure, Technology | Comments Off on Electric Cooperatives Top List of Solar Producers for 2014
Two EMCs, Pickwick Electric Cooperative of Tennessee and Farmers Electric Cooperative of Iowa, were the top two producers of solar energy in 2014 based on the number of solar watts produced per customer. While California is still home to the top overall producers of solar power, with Pacific Gas and Electric producing the most solar power overall in 2014, the solar market is beginning...
North Dakota PSC Approves Permits for Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s Infrastructure Projects
Posted on Apr 30, 2015 in Grid & Infrastructure, Permitting, Project Development | Comments Off on North Dakota PSC Approves Permits for Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s Infrastructure Projects
On April 29 the North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) approved permits for three infrastructure projects. Those projects undertaken by Basin Electric Power Cooperative will cost a combined $445 million. They involve expansion of two gas powered power stations, as well as a new transmission line. According to Randy Christmann, Commissioner of the North Dakota PSC, the projects...
Kentucky Public Service Commission Approves Methane Project
Posted on Apr 23, 2015 in Environmental, Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Land Use, Project Development, Technology | Comments Off on Kentucky Public Service Commission Approves Methane Project
The Kentucky Public Service Commission has recently approved a new methane project at the Glasgow Regional Landfill (Landfill). The project, owned by the East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC), will generate electricity by capturing methane gas escaping from the Landfill. EKPC hopes that the project will be operational by late September or early October. Click here to read...
Congressional Legislation Preserves Large Water Heater Use
Posted on Apr 22, 2015 in Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Congressional Legislation Preserves Large Water Heater Use
As we have previously noted, the Department of Energy implemented regulations on April 16 to ban the manufacture of large water heaters that can be controlled by smart meter technology. To prevent adverse effects of these regulations on electric cooperatives, Congress passed legislation on April 21 enabling cooperatives to continue to use large capacity grid-enabled water heaters for...
USDA Announces Funding for Infrastructure Projects
Posted on Apr 22, 2015 in Financing, Project Development, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on USDA Announces Funding for Infrastructure Projects
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced $72 million in funding for six electric infrastructure projects, including several projects being developed by rural electric cooperatives. The projects include a transmission project in Kansas being developed by Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative, transmission and other system improvements by Broad River Electric...
USDA Extends Another $31 Million in Federal Loans and Grants to Electric Cooperatives
Posted on Apr 17, 2015 in Financing, Legislative & Politics, Project Development | Comments Off on USDA Extends Another $31 Million in Federal Loans and Grants to Electric Cooperatives
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced the extension of $31 million more in loans and grants to electric cooperatives in 12 states under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) Program. The USDA’s REDLG program extends zero-interest loans and grants to utilities, which then lend the funds to local businesses for job-creating projects in rural areas....
Ban on Large Capacity Grid-Enabled Water Heaters Takes Effect April 16 Unless Congress Acts
Posted on Apr 14, 2015 in Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy, Technology | Comments Off on Ban on Large Capacity Grid-Enabled Water Heaters Takes Effect April 16 Unless Congress Acts
A federal ban on large capacity, grid-enabled water heaters will take effect April 16 unless the U.S. House pushes forward with legislation that would allow for continued manufacture of water heaters above 75 gallons. The bill was approved in the Senate on March 27. For more information, please click here.
D.C. Cir. Approves EPA Greenhouse Gas Regulation at Some Power Plants
Posted on Apr 14, 2015 in Climate Change, Environmental, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on D.C. Cir. Approves EPA Greenhouse Gas Regulation at Some Power Plants
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) won a case before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Cir.) that will allow it to continue to regulate existing power plants for greenhouse gases if they are being regulated for other pollutants as well. The Court also vacated portions of the EPA’s Tailoring Rule which attempted to address emissions of...
Mohave Electric Cooperative Serves Members with New Solar Facility
Posted on Apr 13, 2015 in Financing, Project Development, Renewable Energy, Tax | Comments Off on Mohave Electric Cooperative Serves Members with New Solar Facility
Arizona’s Mohave Electric Cooperative (MEC) is now purchasing power from a new utility-grade solar facility to supply its members with renewable power. The facility is currently owned by a private developer, whose appetite for the associated tax credits improved the economics of the deal for MEC and its members, and will be owned by MEC when the tax credits have been exhausted. Click...
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