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FEMA Awards $1.28 Million for Hurricane Harvey Repairs

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its Public Assistance Program, granted $1.28 million to Texas coop Jackson Electric Cooperative to repair damage caused by Hurricane Harvey.

Inadvertent Tax Bill Language Could Jeopardize Exempt Status for Coops

Coops that accept any government grants may find their tax-exempt status at risk. To be considered tax exempt, electric coops are limited to a 15 percent threshold of non-member income. As written, the 2017 tax law counts money received from any government grant as non-member income, where previously, most such grants were considered contributions to capital.

NRECA Seeks Reduction in Insurance Premiums on Coop Retirement Plans

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) is pushing hard in the remaining weeks of Congress this year to bring down pension insurance costs for electric coops. “Because of the strength of our network, electric coop retirement plans pose little risk of default. Yet we are required to pay insurance premiums as if we are a high-risk venture,” said NRECA CEO Jim...

Juhl Energy Developing Solar-Wind Hybrid Project for Cooperative

Juhl Energy is developing a 2.0 MW solar-wind hybrid power generation project to provide low-cost, locally generated energy to the Lake Region Electric Cooperative of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. “This unique renewable energy project will provide a tremendous amount of value to the local community. The cost savings from purchasing the hybrid project’s energy will help provide...

Texas Electric Cooperative to Receive $50 Million Loan

Congressman Vicente Gonzalez recently announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a loan of $50,000,000 to San Miguel Electric Cooperative (San Miguel). This loan will allow San Miguel to make certain system improvements for a lignite-fired steam electric generating unit.

Arkansas Cooperatives Developing Broadband

Six electric cooperatives in Arkansas are bringing high-speed broadband internet access to thousands of their members and plan to offer it to all of their members within the next four to six years.

USDA Announces Investments to Improve Rural Electric Infrastructure

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that it is investing $1.6 billion in 46 rural electric utility infrastructure projects across the country. These investments will help contribute to a stronger rural electric system by improving operations and reliability in 24 states. This funding will help build or improve 5,833 miles of line, will include $307 million in...

Coop Announces Investment in Natural Gas Generating Station

Central Iowa Power Cooperative has announced an $85 million investment to repower a natural gas-fired generating station in Creston. The project is expected to be completed by late 2022.

Coop Enters Into Long-Term Solar PPA

Continental Divide Electric Cooperative (CDEC) has entered into a long-term solar power purchase agreement (PPA) for the offtake of a solar facility to be constructed within CDEC’s territory.

NRECA Files Comments in Support of EPA Proposed Coal Plant Emissions Rule

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and other lobbying groups representing electric utilities recently filed comments in support of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule, endorsing looser pollution standards for coal-fired power plant generators. The EPA hopes to finalize the ACE rule by March 2019.

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