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North Dakota Coop Plans Large Increase in Wind Power

Basin Electric Power Cooperative says that it will double the power it derives from wind energy by 2016.  Basin is expecting its load to grow by more than 1,883 megawatts by 2035. Currently, the coop has 712.7 megawatts of wind generation. Basin plans to purchase power from other generators to increase that number to 1,400 megawatts of wind generation over the next two years. The...

Tri-State Predicts Increased Load Growth

On Friday Tri-State Generation and Transmission (Tri-State) filed a resource plan update with state regulators, forecasting load growth at a rate that is faster than previously expected.  If growth occurs at such rates, Tri-State indicated that it would utilize several options to secure increased capacity and stated that it has made no firm commitments on timing, size or location of...

Iowa Coop Enters Solar Business

Western Iowa Power Coop has begun selling solar systems directly to its members. The move is intended to encourage members to contact the coop first for all solar installation needs and has provided a public relations boost for the coop. Click here for the full story.

Maryland Coop Earns Coop of the Year Award

Southern Maryland Electric Coop was named “Electric Cooperative Utility of the Year” by the Solar Electric Power Association for its efforts to meet Maryland’s renewable energy goals. SMECO chose to build solar within its service area, rather than purchase renewable credits from a resource far away. Click here for more information.

Hoosier Energy Enters New Wind Deal

Indiana generation and transmission cooperative Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Hoosier Energy) has entered a deal with EDP Renewables under which Hoosier Energy will be purchasing 25 percent of the output of Illinois’s 100-MW Rail Splitter Wind Farm by the end of the year.  Click here for more.

Power Company Settlement Ends Obstacle to Large Florida Development

The developers of Babcock Ranch (Babcock) in Florida have reached a settlement with two utility providers, including Lee County Electric Cooperative (LCEC), which will allow developers to break ground on the development. The dispute arose over a proposal by the Babcock Ranch Community Independent Special District to create its own power utility for the planned development.  LCEC, which...

Nevada Coop Launches Utility-Scale Solar Project

Nevada’s Valley Electric Association, which has over the past few years implemented an award-winning solar water heating program, is planning a 15-MW solar generation project, which will include a community solar component.  Click here for more information.

USDA Announces Loan Guarantees for Rural Improvements

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced $1.4 billion in loan guarantees to improve rural electric infrastructure, including moneys for smart grid and renewable energy investments. Electric coops were among the recipients of this recent round of funding.  Click here for more information.

Recent CoBank Report Indicates Solar Growth

CoBank recently released a report noting that the U.S. could experience a jump in solar installations of more than 70 percent by 2016.  The study projects that solar installation will increase from 7 GW in 2014 to 12 GW in 2016.  The increase is based in large part on the Solar Investment Tax Credit, which is currently 30 percent but will drop to 10 percent in 2017.  Click here to read...

Cooperative to Purchase Power from Eastern New Mexico Wind Farm

New Mexico’s Lea County Electric Cooperative (LCEC) has contracted to buy the output from the Anderson Wind Farm, which is currently under construction in Lea County.  The farm is in fact a series of several small 7- to 8-megawatt farms, a structure that allows the farms to provide power “behind the meter” and not be subject to the open market.  LCEC recently became a member of Western...

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