Southern Minnesota Energy Cooperative Completes Acquisition of Electric Service Territory from Alliant Energy
Posted on Jul 31, 2015 in Mergers/Acquisitions, Rates, Reliability | Comments Off on Southern Minnesota Energy Cooperative Completes Acquisition of Electric Service Territory from Alliant Energy
The Southern Minnesota Energy Cooperative, a group of 12 electric cooperatives, finalized the acquisition of electric service territory in southern Minnesota from investor-owned Alliant Energy. Approximately 43,000 Alliant Energy customers in southern Minnesota are now member-owners of their respective electric cooperative. Read more about the acquisition here.
USDA Announced New Loans to be Placed through Coops to Support Rural Businesses
Posted on Jul 31, 2015 in Financing | Comments Off on USDA Announced New Loans to be Placed through Coops to Support Rural Businesses
The USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service announced $18.1 million in loans to support 92 projects related to the start-up or expansion of rural small businesses. These zero-interest loans help utilities fund projects and create and retain employment in rural areas. The South Mississippi Electric Power Association will receive a $2 million loan to assist the city of Greenwood...
Obama Administration Considers Pushing Back Clean Power Plan Deadlines
Posted on Jul 30, 2015 in Climate Change, Environmental, Innovation/Efficiency, Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy, Renewable Energy, Technology | Comments Off on Obama Administration Considers Pushing Back Clean Power Plan Deadlines
On Tuesday the New York Times reported that the Obama administration plans to push back Clean Power Plan deadlines. Originally the Clean Power Plan required existing plants to develop a plan to cut emissions 30 percent from 2005 levels by the year 2030. The Plan further required states to present a plan for implementing Plan rules by 2016 and begin compliance by 2020. The Obama...
New Coop-Owned Ethanol Refinery Fires Up
Posted on Jul 29, 2015 in Innovation/Efficiency, Project Development | Comments Off on New Coop-Owned Ethanol Refinery Fires Up
A new ethanol refinery, in which Minnesota-based Great River Energy (GRE) owns a majority stake, recently reached commercial operation. The refinery is located adjacent to a GRE-owned coal-fired power plant. Steam from the coal plant is used to power the refinery. Click here for more.
NRECA Study Links Higher Electricity Prices to Job Losses
Posted on Jul 29, 2015 in Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on NRECA Study Links Higher Electricity Prices to Job Losses
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) recently released a study highlighting the relationship between higher electricity prices and job losses. The study shows the impact of a 10 and 25 percent price increase on the gross domestic product and jobs from 2020 to 2040. Please click here for additional information.
EKPC to Purchase Oldham County Natural Gas Power Plant
Posted on Jul 29, 2015 in Mergers/Acquisitions | Comments Off on EKPC to Purchase Oldham County Natural Gas Power Plant
East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) plans to purchase a natural gas-fired power plant in Oldham County, Kentucky from Bluegrass Generation Co. LLC. EKPC plans to complete the transaction by the end of the year. Sutherland is representing EKPC in connection with the acquisition. Please click here for additional information.
Bonneville Power Administration’s Rate Increase to Hit Coops
Posted on Jul 27, 2015 in Grid & Infrastructure, Legislative & Politics, Rates, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Bonneville Power Administration’s Rate Increase to Hit Coops
Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) recently announced that it will raise its wholesale power rates by 7.1 percent and its transmission rates by 4.4 percent, effective October 1. BPA, a federal agency and the largest wholesale provider in the northwestern United States, supplies wholesale power to 54 electric cooperatives. Click here for more.
Arizona Appeals Court Allows Utility to Burn Trash for Renewable Energy
Posted on Jul 24, 2015 in Environmental, Regulation & Policy, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Arizona Appeals Court Allows Utility to Burn Trash for Renewable Energy
Despite resistance from the Sierra Club, the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled to allow the Mohave Electric Cooperative (“Mohave”) to burn trash for renewable energy, acknowledging the Arizona Corporation Commission’s (the “Commission”) constitutional authority to regulate such issues. Before the project was stopped by the Sierra Club, the Commission previously allowed Mohave to count 90...
Call (Un)Answered (the Second Ring): FCC Issues Sweeping Package of Declaratory Rulings on TCPA Petitions
Posted on Jul 22, 2015 in Technology | Comments Off on Call (Un)Answered (the Second Ring): FCC Issues Sweeping Package of Declaratory Rulings on TCPA Petitions
In some of its most comprehensive guidance published in years, resolving more than 20 petitions requesting clarification of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on July 10 published a 138-page Declaratory Ruling and Order. Given the opportunity to add much needed clarity and reason to the TCPA, which has spawned thousands of class...
Minnesota Electric Cooperative to Install Solar on Municipal Building
Posted on Jul 22, 2015 in Innovation/Efficiency, Project Development, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Minnesota Electric Cooperative to Install Solar on Municipal Building
In a deal being billed as the first of its kind, Wright-Hennepin Electric Cooperative Association (Wright-Hennepin) has reached an agreement with the city of Rockford whereby Wright-Hennepin will install solar panels on two separate sites owned by the city. Wright-Hennepin will not be responsible for any lease payments, and the city will receive a 7 percent discount on its electricity...
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