Eversheds Sutherland Coop Law Blog
content top

Department of Energy awards $100 million to NRECA, Coops for Wildfire Mitigation Infrastructure

Through its Grid Resilience Innovation Partnership Program, the Department of Energy has awarded nearly $100 million in federal infrastructure funding to NRCEA and 39 coops from across the country to harden systems against wildfires and enhance grid reliability.

Colorado Cooperative Focuses Technology on Wildfire Risk Mitigation

From drones, to AI satellite technology, to 360-degree fire watch cameras, CORE Electric Cooperative has implemented a wide variety of technology to monitor and mitigate wildfire risk. The coop also utilizes enhanced operation and maintenance programs, including robust system inspections.

NRECA Chief Executive Officer Questions EPA’s Proposed Greenhouse Gas Rules

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced rules for greenhouse gas emissions this week, with initial requirements beginning in 2030, which could spur the retirement of certain coal-fired and gas-fired generators. The limits vary based on the size of the generator and certain operational characteristics. National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Chief Executive...

Cooperatives Argue Interim National Environmental Policy Act Greenhouse Gas Guidance Oversteps

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the American Public Power Association filed formal comments arguing that the interim guidance on greenhouse gas emissions is overbroad, fails to provide sufficient regulatory guidance, and because of the role compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act plays in the approval of financing, will delay electric...

Oregon Electric Cooperative Receives Funding for Wildfire Protection

The Douglas Electric Cooperative has been awarded over $9,000,000 in funding to help strengthen its fuel treatments, increase forest health, and minimize the risk of wildfires.

CORE Electric Cooperative Forms Partnership to Plant Trees in Colorado

In a first of its kind venture, CORE Electric Cooperative (CORE) has partnered with FarmBox Foods to plant trees in a Vertical Hydroponic Farm inside an upcycled shipping container to rehabilitate forests along Colorado’s Front Range. CORE plans on planting 15,000 blue spruces and ponderosa pines in the first three years of the project.

SCOTUS Rules EPA Lacks the Authority to Cap Existing Power Plants’ CO2

On Thursday, June 30, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) concluded that the Clean Power Plan’s limitation of carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants falls outside of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association supported an amicus brief filed by cooperatives with the Supreme Court...

North Dakota Approves Loan for Minnkota Power Cooperative’s Project Tundra

On Monday, May 23, the North Dakota Industrial Commission approved loans and grants worth more than $115 million for three projects aiming to use emerging technologies to store carbon dioxide underground. Among such loans and grants is a $100 million low-interest loan for Project Tundra, Minnkota Power Cooperative’s carbon capture project.

Nemadji Trail Energy Center Clears Legal Hurdles

Following legal challenges from several interest groups, the Nemadji Trail Energy Center, a proposed $700 million combined-cycle natural gas energy plant in Wisconsin, was determined to be in compliance with environmental and construction requirements. The plant will be owned and operated by Dairyland Power Cooperative, among others.

NRECA CEO: Carbon-Free Electricity Generation by 2035 Is Overly Ambitious

After the Biden administration set the goal of achieving a 100% carbon-free electric sector by 2035, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) CEO, Jim Matheson, argued to Congress this overly ambitious goal could threaten grid reliability and requires technology that is not yet available. Matheson suggested Congress instead focus on a resilient and reliable electric...

« Older Entries