Eversheds Sutherland Coop Law Blog
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Senators Push to Ensure Eligibility of Cooperatives in Paycheck Protection Program

U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.) led a bipartisan group of senators in urging the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to clarify that rural electric cooperatives are eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which was created under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to help small businesses...

New Congressional Aid Package May Help Coops

Lawmakers approved an additional $320 billion in funds for the Paycheck Protection Program, for which some cooperatives may qualify. The funds may be forgiven if used to keep employees on the payroll and other designated purposes.

Coops Stare Down Virus Costs

Electric cooperatives could lose up to $10 billion from the effects of the coronavirus according to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). A drop in electricity sales, combined with potential revenue lost from unpaid bills, could cost cooperatives. The NRECA has asked Congress for relief.

Sunflower Announces Largest Kansas Solar Project Operational

The Johnson Corner Solar Project, a product of Sunflower Electric Power Corp. (Sunflower) and Lightsource BP, has entered commercial operation. The 20 MW plant more than doubles the state’s utility-scale solar capacity.

Minnkota Power Cooperative Wants to Build the World’s Largest Carbon Capture Facility

Grand Forks-based Minnkota Power Cooperative has launched Project Tundra, an initiative to build the largest power plant-based carbon capture facility in the world, with construction commencing as early as 2022. The planned facility would potentially capture more than 90 percent of carbon dioxide emitted from The Milton R. Young Station, a coal-fired power plant close to the town of...

USDA Launches Guide for COVID-19 Assistance Programs

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has created a catalog of assistance programs that provides a one-stop shop for rural electric cooperatives and their members who are seeking federal, state and local aid during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cooperative Energy Power Plant Constructed by Wärtsilä Begins Commercial Operations

Cooperative Energy’s new 22.7 MW flexible gas power plant, constructed by Wärtsilä, began commercial operations last week. The plant will provide system reliability and support Cooperative Energy’s renewable resources.

NRECA Requests COVID-19 Relief from Congress

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) is asking Congress for relief from potential economic hardship its members may experience as a result of COVID-19. As Congress prepares to pass additional virus relief, NRECA will seek the inclusion of measures geared towards supporting cooperatives.

Aid for Coops Included in Coronavirus Federal Relief Bill

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) urged Congress to include aid for electric cooperatives and their consumer-members as part of the federal relief efforts aimed at helping the struggling economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The $2 trillion federal coronavirus relief bill passed by Congress offers millions in aid to consumers struggling to pay their utility...