TVA Awards Solar Capacity to Three Coops
Posted on Mar 30, 2016 in Environmental, Innovation/Efficiency | Comments Off on TVA Awards Solar Capacity to Three Coops
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association, awarded 16.7 MWs of solar capacity to four power companies, three of which are coops. Chickasaw Electric Cooperative, East Mississippi Electric Power Association and Joe Wheeler Electric Membership Corporation applied for and were awarded this capacity through the Distributed Solar...
Wind Energy Strong in 2015
Posted on Mar 28, 2016 in Financing, Legislative & Politics, Project Development, Regulation & Policy, Renewable Energy, Tax | Comments Off on Wind Energy Strong in 2015
Data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) show that wind energy accounted for over 41 percent of generating capacity additions in 2015. Wind energy’s growth was strongest in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa and North Dakota. But resource availability in windy states was not the only driving factor in the growth that 2015 saw, as the federal production tax credit continued to...
Coop Adds Solar Power in the Sunshine State
Posted on Mar 28, 2016 in Project Development, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Coop Adds Solar Power in the Sunshine State
Seminole Electric Cooperative (Seminole), based in Tampa, Florida, will soon add 2 MWs of solar power to its generation mix. Seminole is in the process of erecting 8,400 photovoltaic panels near a combined-cycle gas plant that it owns. By early 2017 all nine of Seminole’s distribution cooperative members will be taking output from the solar facility.
Three Iowa Coops May Be Able to Recover Their Costs After All
Posted on Mar 23, 2016 in Grid & Infrastructure, Legislative & Politics, Reliability, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Three Iowa Coops May Be Able to Recover Their Costs After All
An ice storm in April 2013 required three Iowa coops and a municipal utility to spend $19 million for repair and recovery work. The coops requested reimbursement for those expenses from the Federal Emergency Management Agent (FEMA), but their initial request was denied in the Fall of 2013. However, the initial regional FEMA ruling denying recovery was recently overturned, paving the...
South Mississippi Electric First to Bring Solar Power to Mississippi Gulf Coast
Posted on Mar 15, 2016 in Environmental, Project Development, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on South Mississippi Electric First to Bring Solar Power to Mississippi Gulf Coast
South Mississippi Electric cooperative has completed two solar facilities in rural Mississippi that began generating electricity in February. The two projects in Kiln and Lucedale, Mississippi are the first to bring solar power to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
New USDA Program Supports Rural Economic Development
Posted on Mar 9, 2016 in Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on New USDA Program Supports Rural Economic Development
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a new program to let electric cooperatives partner with regional organizations to boost rural economic development. The USDA has set aside $500 million for rural projects that support economic and community development plans.
Coop PCB Disposal Approved by EPA
Posted on Mar 9, 2016 in Environmental, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Coop PCB Disposal Approved by EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a request to allow electric cooperatives to dispose of low-level PCB wastes in local landfills.
Sixth Circuit Agrees to Review EPA’s Waters of the United States Rule
Posted on Mar 4, 2016 in Climate Change, Environmental, Legislative & Politics, Litigation, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Sixth Circuit Agrees to Review EPA’s Waters of the United States Rule
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit has agreed to review EPA’s Waters of the U.S. rule. The controversial rule has been criticized on the grounds that it would extend EPA’s regulatory authority to small streams and dry creek beds. According to Dorothy Kellogg, NRECA senior principal, the rule will result in more expensive permits for coops attempting to maintain or construct...
High Court Rejects Bid to Stay Mercury Air Toxics Rule
Posted on Mar 4, 2016 in Climate Change, Environmental, Legislative & Politics, Litigation, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on High Court Rejects Bid to Stay Mercury Air Toxics Rule
On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request to stay the EPA’s Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule. The rule, which requires coal-fired power plants to greatly reduce mercury and other toxic emissions, was struck down in June because the EPA had not considered the $1 billion cost of imposing the rule. The D.C. Circuit left the original rule in place, however, while the EPA...
Coal Transportation Costs Rise
Posted on Mar 1, 2016 in Grid & Infrastructure | Comments Off on Coal Transportation Costs Rise
While the price of coal has been dropping, the price utilities pay to have it transported to their plants has been increasing. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that transportation costs now account for 40 percent of the total cost of coal delivered, the highest share since the EIA began tracking that data in 2001.
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