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Cooperative Invests in Smart Lighting Product Company

CMA Ventures, a subsidiary of Central Iowa Power Cooperative, has participated in a Series B investment round in Igor, a Des Moines startup which has developed a “power-over-ethernet” product that can be used to help companies better manage lighting and electricity in their buildings.

EKPC Planning 60-Acre Solar Farm

East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) has announced plans to build a solar project consisting of 32,000 photovoltaic on 60 acres next to its main office.  EKPC will allow customers to purchase licenses to receive power from the project and receive credits on their monthly bills for doing so, offering them the opportunity to participate in a voluntary program similar to other...

Cooperative CEO Urges Congress to Authorize FBI to Assist in Identifying Utility Insider Threats

On July 12, before the Senate Energy Subcommittee, Duane Highley, CEO of Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp., requested that Congress consider legislation that would allow the FBI to assist in background checks for personnel that perform critical functions.  Highley cautioned the senators to avoid a one-size-fits-all strategy as the insider threats are both the biggest threats and...

Tennessee Coops Encouraged by Findings and Recommendations of Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development recently issued a report finding that regulatory barriers hinder electric cooperatives from providing broadband internet access to their members.  The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association issued a press release praising the report, stating that “[c]o-ops have a legacy of expanding critical services beyond the city...

Hawaii Consumer Groups Push for Coop Utility after Failed Merger

Since a merger between NextEra Energy and Hawaiian Electric failed, consumer groups in Hawaii are considering next steps for the state’s largest utility and creating the state’s second electric coop.  The island of Kauai currently has an electric coop that was formed in 2002 when it bought the local utility for $215 million.

Following Halo Decision, Power Meter IP Suit Settles

Denton County Electric Cooperative Inc. and other energy companies have settled patent infringement allegations (subscription required) involving power meters following the Supreme Court’s June Halo Electronics, Inc. v. Pulse Electronics, Inc. decision.

Missouri Coop Selected for USDA Small Business Program

Bourbon, Missouri-based Crawford Electric Cooperative has been selected to participate in a USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program.  Through the REDLG program, the USDA makes interest free loans to utilities that they in turn lend to local businesses to promote employment and growth in their communities.

GRE to Retire North Dakota Coal Plant

Minnesota generation and transmission cooperative Great River Energy (GRE) has decided to retire its Stanton Station, a coal plant located near Bismarck, North Dakota.  The 189-megawatt plan served GRE’s customers in Minnesota.

Colorado Coop Offers Ultra-Fast Internet Access

Colorado’s Delta-Montrose Electric Association plans to provide one gigabit broadband internet to members this winter.  It will take approximately five years for the cooperative to construct the facilities necessary to provide access to all of its members, however.  Doing so will require overlaying 4,000 miles of distribution line with fiber cables connected to individual homes.  Once...

NRECA Partners With Department of Energy

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) will be partnering with the Department of Energy and the American Public Power Association to enhance protection of the electric grid from attack.  The partnership will give the nation’s electric cooperatives access to cybersecurity technology and training.

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