Ouachita Electric Cooperative Named Electric Cooperative Utility of the Year
Posted on Jun 30, 2017 in Project Development, Rates, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Ouachita Electric Cooperative Named Electric Cooperative Utility of the Year
Smart Electric Power Alliance recently named Ouachita Electric Cooperative Corporation (OECC) Electric Cooperative Utility of the Year for its work with solar developer Silicon Ranch and the Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Corporation to build a 12-MW solar array. The project, located at the Highland Industrial Park, was the first utility-scale solar array in Arkansas. It has helped...
Bandera Electric Cooperative Modernizes Electric Grid
Posted on May 19, 2017 in Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Rates, Renewable Energy, Technology, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Bandera Electric Cooperative Modernizes Electric Grid
Bandera Electric Cooperative (BEC), a rural Texas cooperative, recently completed its first distribution circuit automation project in the first step in developing a “smart grid” which will increase the reliability, efficiency, safety, and cost effectiveness of the power system. The distribution system automation will provide real-time adjustment to changing loads and operating...
Maine’s Swan’s Island Electric Cooperative to Dissolve
Posted on Mar 17, 2017 in Mergers/Acquisitions, Rates, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Maine’s Swan’s Island Electric Cooperative to Dissolve
Swan’s Island Electric Cooperative members voted 265-29 in favor of dissolving one of the country’s smallest electric cooperatives. The vote to sell their local utility to Emera Maine could close as early as March 31, 2017 and will effectively save the members $20 per month on their electricity bills but will sacrifice four full-time jobs and eight part-time jobs in a community...
Swan’s Island Makes another Attempt to Merge with Emera Maine
Posted on Feb 17, 2017 in Grid & Infrastructure, Mergers/Acquisitions, Rates, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Swan’s Island Makes another Attempt to Merge with Emera Maine
After Maine regulators denied Swan’s Island Electric Coop (Swan’s Island) to merge with Emera Maine (Emera) because the merger would have put a disproportionate burden on Emera’s mainland customers, Swan’s Island has submitted a new merger proposal putting more of the financial burden of the merger on the island utility customers. Regulators are schedule to review the revised plan on...
San Miguel Power Association Adds Solar Project for Qualified Low-Income Residents
Posted on Dec 9, 2016 in Land Use, Project Development, Rates, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on San Miguel Power Association Adds Solar Project for Qualified Low-Income Residents
San Miguel Power Association (SMPA), the Colorado Energy Office and GRID Alternatives announced a 200 kW community solar array to be located on a closed landfill in Norwood, Colorado. SMPA had been looking for a way to make renewable energy available to more of its members while keeping utility bills affordable. A $1.2 million grant from the Colorado Energy Office in August 2015 has...
Georgia Electric Cooperatives Offer Customers Cooperative Solar Program
Posted on Oct 21, 2016 in Project Development, Rates, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Georgia Electric Cooperatives Offer Customers Cooperative Solar Program
Green Power EMC and the electric cooperatives have developed a program giving customers the opportunity to purchase solar power from off-site solar facilities and avoid the costs and complications of rooftop solar panels. Customers can subscribe to blocks of solar energy and receive a credit on their energy bill from such solar facilities. Jeff Pratt, CEO of Green Power EMC, has...
D.C. Circuit Hears Challenge to Clean Power Plan
Posted on Sep 28, 2016 in Climate Change, Corporate Governance, Derivative Suits, Economic Downturn, Energy Savings Programs, Environmental, Financing, Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Land Use, Legislative & Politics, Litigation, Mergers/Acquisitions, Patronage Capital, Permitting, Project Development, Rates, Regulation & Policy, Reliability, Renewable Energy, Tax, Technology | Comments Off on D.C. Circuit Hears Challenge to Clean Power Plan
Ten D.C. Circuit judges heard argument regarding the EPA’s authority to enact the Clean Power Plan and the rule’s constitutionality. All active judges on the D.C. Circuit, with the exception of Merrick Garland, heard arguments from state government, power industry groups, the federal government and environmental groups.
Cobb EMC is the Most Affordable Electric Provider in Georgia
Posted on Sep 7, 2016 in Rates | Comments Off on Cobb EMC is the Most Affordable Electric Provider in Georgia
The 2016 Georgia PSC (PSC) summer survey found that the rates of the Cobb Electric Membership Corporation (Cobb EMC) are the lowest in Georgia. According to the PSC’s survey, compared to the average electric utility customer, Cobb EMC members save approximately $31.66 dollars per month on their summer bills.
Coop-Friendly Railroad Reform Law Reportedly on Track
Posted on Aug 26, 2016 in Grid & Infrastructure, Legislative & Politics, Rates, Reliability | Comments Off on Coop-Friendly Railroad Reform Law Reportedly on Track
Federal regulators have reported that they are on track in implementing a railroad reform law intended to promote shipping efficiency and potentially competition among railroads. The NRECA and electric cooperatives generally have pushed for reforms, recognizing the impact that costs of hauling coal can have on electric rates.
Oklahoma Cooperative Executes Power Purchase Agreement to Receive Power from Cooperative
Posted on Aug 19, 2016 in Rates, Reliability | Comments Off on Oklahoma Cooperative Executes Power Purchase Agreement to Receive Power from Cooperative
Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative (NEOEC) terminated its relationship with Grand River Dam Authority and has executed a power purchase agreement for its members to receive electricity from KAMO Electric Cooperative. NEOEC says the move will allow the members to receive electricity at a lower cost and the close proximity of KAMO technicians will allow NEOEC officials to respond...
