FERC Grants Coop’s Appeal of NERC Registry Decision
Posted on Jul 25, 2013 in Litigation, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on FERC Grants Coop’s Appeal of NERC Registry Decision
On July 18, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an order granting the appeal of the South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association (SLECA) of a registry decision by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). This dispute stemmed from NERC’s registration of SLECA as a distribution provider and load-serving entity. SLECA claimed it was...
FERC Rolls Back Electric Reliability Obligations for Small Coops
Posted on Jul 23, 2013 in Grid & Infrastructure, Regulation & Policy, Reliability | Comments Off on FERC Rolls Back Electric Reliability Obligations for Small Coops
In what is being heralded as a large first step in the small coop community, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has rejected the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (NERC) finding that a small, rural electric cooperative should be subject to mandatory electric reliability regulations. The order, involving the South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association...
Power Provider Meets Opposition from ACC
Posted on Jul 23, 2013 in Innovation/Efficiency, Rates, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Power Provider Meets Opposition from ACC
Mohave Electric Cooperative’s (MEC) power supplier, Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (AEPCO), is seeking a rate decrease for its customers but has encountered opposition from consultants hired by the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), which must approve all rate increases or decreases. MEC Chief Executive Officer Tyler Carlson has testified before the commission in support...
Trash-Burning Plant Does Not Count Toward Renewable Standard
Posted on Jul 18, 2013 in Environmental, Litigation, Regulation & Policy, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Trash-Burning Plant Does Not Count Toward Renewable Standard
An Arizona court has overturned an Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) decision finding that a trash-burning power plant counts toward state renewable energy goals. Mohave Electric Cooperative proposed to build the plant near Phoenix as part of its effort to obtain 15 percent of its electricity from renewable resources by 2025. The ACC may appeal the decision. Click here for the...
Kentucky Coop Proposes Innovative Solution to Air Emission Standards
Posted on Jul 18, 2013 in Environmental, Innovation/Efficiency, Regulation & Policy, Technology | Comments Off on Kentucky Coop Proposes Innovative Solution to Air Emission Standards
East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) plans to install ductwork to tie a scrubber between two coal-fired generation units at the Cooper Station plant. Rather than install separate scrubbers or convert to natural gas, the $15 million tie proposal will provide an affordable alternative that effectively meets new air quality regulations. EKPC plans to have the tie in operation by...
USDA Announces Latest Round of Funding for Rural Electric Projects
Posted on Jul 18, 2013 in Financing, Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Regulation & Policy, Technology | Comments Off on USDA Announces Latest Round of Funding for Rural Electric Projects
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced more than $188 million in loan guarantees to upgrade the rural electric grid, including more than $18 million for smart grid initiatives. This latest round of funding is part of a larger USDA effort to improve the reliability and affordability of rural electric service. Click here for the full story.
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...
FERC Rejects Challenge to Minnesota-Wisconsin Transmission Line
Posted on Jul 15, 2013 in Grid & Infrastructure, Land Use, Project Development, Regulation & Policy, Reliability | Comments Off on FERC Rejects Challenge to Minnesota-Wisconsin Transmission Line
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has rejected efforts to rescind federal approval for a proposed high-voltage transmission line connecting Rochester, Minnesota, with La Crosse, Wisconsin. In rejecting a petition against the $500 million project, FERC found that the petitioners lacked sufficient support for their claim that the line would risk grid reliability. ...
NRECA Asks FCC to Rethink Waivers for Technology
Posted on Jul 12, 2013 in Permitting, Regulation & Policy, Technology | Comments Off on NRECA Asks FCC to Rethink Waivers for Technology
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) has voiced concerns that the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) decision to allow the use of certain broadcast technology may be premature given the potential for interference in the operation of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, given the key role that SCADA systems play in the management of...
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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