GAO Issues Report on Electricity Grid Modernization
Posted on Jan 13, 2011 in Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Legislative & Politics, Technology | Comments Off on GAO Issues Report on Electricity Grid Modernization
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) report’s full title is “Electricity Grid Modernization: Progress Being Made on Cybersecurity Guidelines, But Key Challenges Remain to Be Addressed.” Full text of the report is available here.
NRECA Asks Obama Administration for More Clean Renewable Energy Bonds
Posted on Jan 12, 2011 in Climate Change, Financing, Legislative & Politics, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on NRECA Asks Obama Administration for More Clean Renewable Energy Bonds
Bond Buyer reports that NRECA, along with two other industry groups, is pushing the Obama administration for more clean renewable energy bonds (CREB) (subscription required). The current CREB program is out of funding.
South Carolina Legislator Introduces Bill to Require “Special Needs Account Customer” Form
Posted on Jan 11, 2011 in Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on South Carolina Legislator Introduces Bill to Require “Special Needs Account Customer” Form
A South Carolina legislator has introduced a bill to further protect special needs account customers. The bill requires that coops and other utilities include a form in their customers’ bills (at least once a year) that would notify the utilities of their customers’ special needs status. Full text of the bill is here.
Proposal to Convert Montana Utility Into a Cooperative
Posted on Jan 4, 2011 in Corporate Governance, Financing, Legislative & Politics | Comments Off on Proposal to Convert Montana Utility Into a Cooperative
The Great Falls Tribune reports on the proposal by Southern Montana Electric G&T to convert Electric City Power, Great Fall’s money-losing utility, into a customer-owned cooperative.
Cape & Vineyard Electric Cooperative Seeks to End Regional Commission Oversight Over Wind Turbines
Posted on Dec 20, 2010 in Environmental, Legislative & Politics, Permitting, Project Development | Comments Off on Cape & Vineyard Electric Cooperative Seeks to End Regional Commission Oversight Over Wind Turbines
The Cape Cod Times reports that the Cape & Vineyard Electric Cooperative (formed in 2007) is seeking to end a regional commission’s jurisdiction over wind turbines. The coop has yet build a single turbine amid concerns over the region’s historic character.
Cooperatives to Push for Clean Renewable Energy Bonds Program
Posted on Dec 17, 2010 in Legislative & Politics, Project Development, Tax | Comments Off on Cooperatives to Push for Clean Renewable Energy Bonds Program
Platts reports that municipal and cooperative utility associations (including the NRECA) will lobby next year for the Clean Renewable Energy Bonds program, which provides tax credit bonds for low-carbon renewable energy projects. The program was not extended in the recent tax legislation that Congress passed last Thursday.
North Dakota G&T Coop to Receive Over $500 Million in RUS Loan Guarantees; Georgia’s Oglethorpe to Receive $373 Million
Posted on Dec 8, 2010 in Financing, Legislative & Politics, Project Development | Comments Off on North Dakota G&T Coop to Receive Over $500 Million in RUS Loan Guarantees; Georgia’s Oglethorpe to Receive $373 Million
Basin Electric Power Cooperative, a G&T based in North Dakota, will receive more than $500 million of the $2.9 billion in federal loan guarantees from Rural Utilities Service(RUS) (subscription required). Nearly $405 million is slotted for a 300-MW natural gas-fired power plant. The rest is slotted for two wind projects that will generate 120 MW. Oglethorpe Power Corporation,...
FERC: Montana Coop Does Not Have to Pay Transmission Charges from NorthWestern Corporation
Posted on Nov 24, 2010 in Legislative & Politics, Litigation, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on FERC: Montana Coop Does Not Have to Pay Transmission Charges from NorthWestern Corporation
FERC has sided with Southern Montana Electric Generation & Transmission Cooperative in a dispute with NorthWestern Corp. The cooperative had complained that NorthWestern was improperly billing it for “long-term, firm point-to-point transmission service” in the absence of a valid service agreement.
RUS to Provide $2.9 billion of Guaranteed Loans to Rural Coops and Utilities
Posted on Nov 22, 2010 in Financing, Legislative & Politics, Project Development | Comments Off on RUS to Provide $2.9 billion of Guaranteed Loans to Rural Coops and Utilities
Platts reports that the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service will provide $2.93 billion to 50 electric cooperatives. These guaranteed loans are for generation (new and upgraded), transmission, and distribution.
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