USDA Announces $11 Million in Loan Guarantees for Smart Grid Improvements
Posted on Sep 9, 2013 in Financing, Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy, Technology | Comments Off on USDA Announces $11 Million in Loan Guarantees for Smart Grid Improvements
At a recent regional meeting of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack highlighted the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) funding of projects across eight states, including $11 million in loan guarantees for smart grid improvements. See the USDA press release for a complete list of projects.
Kentucky Coops Strike Deal to Keep Smelter in Western Kentucky
Posted on Aug 16, 2013 in Economic Downturn, Legislative & Politics, Rates, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Kentucky Coops Strike Deal to Keep Smelter in Western Kentucky
The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) recently approved a power supply arrangement between Big Rivers Electric Corporation (Big Rivers), Kenergy Corp. (Kenergy) and Century Aluminum Company that allows the aluminum smelter to purchase power on the wholesale market through Big Rivers and Kenergy while reimbursing the coops for certain costs arising from the arrangement. For more...
NRECA Opposes President’s Plan on Climate Change
Posted on Aug 13, 2013 in Climate Change, Environmental, Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on NRECA Opposes President’s Plan on Climate Change
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) has launched a campaign against President Barack Obama’s proposal to use the Clean Air Act to regulate carbon dioxide and fight climate change. The NRECA released a video voicing its opposition to the President’s plan. Click here for more.
Utilities Object to Recommendations for Columbia River Treaty
Posted on Aug 9, 2013 in Environmental, Legislative & Politics, Rates, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Utilities Object to Recommendations for Columbia River Treaty
Flathead Electric Cooperative and other utilities have expressed their concern in recent months over the rate impacts of certain recommended changes to the Columbia River Treaty relating to the river’s ecosystem. This half-decade-old treaty provides for the return of power to Canada in exchange for flood control provided by dams in Canada. See the Daily Inter Lake for details on the...
North Dakota City Commission Denies Franchise to Coop
Posted on Aug 7, 2013 in Legislative & Politics, Rates, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on North Dakota City Commission Denies Franchise to Coop
The Devils Lake City Commission denied a request from Nodak Electric Cooperative (Nodak) for a franchise to allow the cooperative to provide electrical service to some areas within the city limits. All property within the city limits is currently served by Otter Tail Power Company. As the city limits expand, Nodak was seeking to serve several new subdivisions within the city limits. ...
Wisconsin Bill to Protect Coops From Civil Suits
Posted on Aug 2, 2013 in Grid & Infrastructure, Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Wisconsin Bill to Protect Coops From Civil Suits
Wisconsin State Assembly representatives have proposed Assembly Bill 257 to protect coops and other electricity providers from civil liability for damage to persons and property resulting from power service. The bill does not intend to modify existing standards related to permissible stray voltage levels, but critics say the bill will take utilities off the hook for related harm and...
New Mexico Coop, Tribal Negotiations at Impasse
Posted on Jul 30, 2013 in Land Use, Legislative & Politics, Rates | Comments Off on New Mexico Coop, Tribal Negotiations at Impasse
Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative has been unable to obtain help from members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation, who say the federal government has no jurisdiction in the conflict between the coop and Indian pueblos over easement payments. The coop says that the fees charged by the tribes are too high, and the costs then must be passed on to the coop’s customers. In April,...
Coal Ash Bill Passes House – On to Senate
Posted on Jul 26, 2013 in Environmental, Legislative & Politics | Comments Off on Coal Ash Bill Passes House – On to Senate
Backed by numerous coops and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the U.S. House has passed a bill that identifies states, rather than the Environmental Protection Agency, as the primary regulators of coal ash storage. The Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013 received bipartisan support and will allow utilities to continue selling coal ash to companies that...
NRECA Endorses Bipartisan Legislation Enabling Cooperatives to Continue to Offer Pensions
Posted on Jul 17, 2013 in Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on NRECA Endorses Bipartisan Legislation Enabling Cooperatives to Continue to Offer Pensions
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) has endorsed the proposed bipartisan Cooperative and Small Employer Charity Pension Flexibility Act of 2013 that would make it easier for cooperatives to continue to offer pensions to their employees. The proposed legislation would ensure that cooperatives, along with charitable associations, are not subject to the funding...
Changes to Hydro Power Marketing Administrations Blocked by House of Representatives
Posted on Jul 12, 2013 in Innovation/Efficiency, Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Changes to Hydro Power Marketing Administrations Blocked by House of Representatives
The U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment on July 10 to the energy and water appropriations bill that prohibits spending to expand the role of four power marketing administrations. These administrations have historically provided low-cost hydro power to coops and others, but the Department of Energy has been considering expanding their role to include energy efficiency and...
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