Federal Grants to Boost Smart Grid Development
Posted on Oct 15, 2012 in Grid & Infrastructure, Legislative & Politics, Project Development, Technology | Comments Off on Federal Grants to Boost Smart Grid Development
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced $134 million in grant funding for rural electric coops and utilities to develop smart grid technologies. These funds will be added to the $250 million in financing announced by the USDA in August. (See previous Sutherland Coop team reports on this USDA grant funding from August 6, August 10, September 10, October 5...
NHEC Says Smart Meters Do Not Infringe on Privacy
Posted on Oct 10, 2012 in Legislative & Politics, Litigation, Technology | Comments Off on NHEC Says Smart Meters Do Not Infringe on Privacy
Residents in Bristol, New Hampshire, have spoken out regarding their opposition to the installation of smart meters in their homes, claiming that such meters are an invasion of privacy. The residents, groups such as the New Hampshire Coalition Against Smart Meters, and even state representatives claim that information about individual device use may be obtained with these smart...
NRECA Recommends Amendments to the USDA Efficiency Plan
Posted on Oct 9, 2012 in Energy Savings Programs, Innovation/Efficiency, Legislative & Politics | Comments Off on NRECA Recommends Amendments to the USDA Efficiency Plan
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) has announced its support for the proposed Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program, an Agriculture Department initiative that would fund electric coops to help rural residents with the upfront cost of energy-efficiency upgrades. However, the NRECA caveated this support with a recommendation that the program provide...
USDA Announces Continued Funding and Support for Rural Electric Systems
Posted on Oct 5, 2012 in Financing, Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Legislative & Politics, Project Development, Technology | Comments Off on USDA Announces Continued Funding and Support for Rural Electric Systems
In a speech before the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will continue to make funding available for modernization and efficiency improvements, including smart grid technologies. This announcement follows USDA’s success in meeting its goal to finance $250...
North Dakota’s Electricity Case against Minnesota Survives First Legal Challenge
Posted on Oct 3, 2012 in Climate Change, Energy Savings Programs, Environmental, Legislative & Politics, Litigation | Comments Off on North Dakota’s Electricity Case against Minnesota Survives First Legal Challenge
A federal judge has ruled that the state of North Dakota’s case against Minnesota can move forward, as North Dakota has a “plausible” claim that a 2007 Minnesota energy law is invalid due to preemption by federal law. Minnesota’s Next Generation Energy Act bars new coal-fired power plants in Minnesota and restricts out-of-state imports of new coal-based power generation unless the...
Kentucky PSC Accepts Settlement in Big Rivers Environmental Case
Posted on Oct 3, 2012 in Environmental, Financing, Legislative & Politics, Litigation, Rates, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Kentucky PSC Accepts Settlement in Big Rivers Environmental Case
The Kentucky Public Service Commission (Kentucky PSC) has accepted a regarding a proposed environmental compliance plan and environmental surcharge request submitted by Big Rivers Electric Corporation (Big Rivers). Under the proposed plan, Big Rivers will not be required to construct the most costly emission control projects from its original plan, reducing the total cost from $283.5...
FERC Launches New Cybersecurity Office
Posted on Sep 21, 2012 in Grid & Infrastructure, Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy, Reliability | Comments Off on FERC Launches New Cybersecurity Office
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is creating a new office to address cyber and physical security risks to FERC-jurisdictional facilities, such as electric generation and transmission facilities, oil and gas pipelines, and LNG terminals. The new Office of Energy Infrastructure Security (OEIS) will rely on FERC’s existing statutory authority in providing “leadership,...
DOE Plans to Change PMAs Met with Opposition
Posted on Sep 5, 2012 in Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on DOE Plans to Change PMAs Met with Opposition
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) is among the opponents to the Department of Energy’s March 16 directive to alter the roles of the four federal power marketing administrations (PMAs). The directive would require that, among other things, PMAs design new rate structures, incentivize renewable energy development and expand transmission for third parties. ...
NRECA Lobbies to Avoid Fee on Smart Meters
Posted on Aug 23, 2012 in Energy Savings Programs, Innovation/Efficiency, Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on NRECA Lobbies to Avoid Fee on Smart Meters
In early August 2012, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) argued before the Federal Communications Commission that electric cooperatives should not be required to pay a federal fee on smart meters and smart grid technologies. The fee would go to the Universal Service Fund, which was established to provide universal telecommunications service. Click here for...
Federal Court Invalidates EPA Clean Air Act Rule
Posted on Aug 23, 2012 in Energy Savings Programs, Environmental, Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Federal Court Invalidates EPA Clean Air Act Rule
In a 2-to-1 ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit struck down an EPA air quality rule related to emissions crossing state lines. The Court held that the EPA had impermissibly exceeded its authority under the rule by requiring upwind states to bear more than their share of reductions and failing to give states the opportunity handle emissions reductions...
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