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Tennessee Coop Receives Solar Generation Honor

The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) has recognized Tennessee-based Chickasaw Electric Cooperative (Chickasaw Electric) for its impressive per-capita solar generation.  The coop averages 217 watts for each of its over 15,000 customers, which places Chickasaw Electric fifth on SEPA’s national list.  See the Tennessee Valley Authority press release for more information.

Coops Challenge Lending for New Renewable Energy Projects

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) has voiced opposition to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to establish a new Rural Utilities Service (RUS) lending project aimed at renewable energy.  The USDA announced in early June that it would consider implementing the program under the Electric Loan program to fund renewable energy generation, even...

Coop to Assist TVA and Developer with Two New Solar Facilities

Developer Strata Solar is collaborating with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Pickwick Electric Cooperative (Pickwick) on two new 20-MW solar projects in McNairy, Tennessee, with enough capacity to power up to 4,000 homes.  Strata Solar will construct and operate the two facilities, TVA will purchase the output and Pickwick will play a supporting role by providing...

Arkansas Coop Enters Wind Agreement

RES Americas and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC) have entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement, which will result in the construction of 75 new wind turbines in two Oklahoma counties.  The 150-MW Origin Wind Project, which is slated to begin operations by late 2014, will add to the 51 MW of wind capacity acquired by AECC through a 2012 power purchase agreement. ...

Debate Arises over Issue of Sustaining Net Metering Projects

Some coops in the Northeast are concerned about the legal ambiguities of financing small renewable energy projects.  Coops in Vermont are subject to a law that requires utilities to credit customers 20 cents for every kWh they produce through small renewable energy systems, or net metering systems, unless a utility’s total net metering surpasses 4 percent of its peak demand from the...

South Canal Hydro Project Goes Online in Colorado

Colorado-based Delta-Montrose Electric Association (DMEA) brought its South Canal Hydro project online in late June.  The project was funded by the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with $22 million in New Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs), and it will divert flow to generate an estimated 27 million kWh annually.  Click here for more details on this...

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...

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...

Colorado’s New Renewable Energy Law Under Review

A committee organized to review Colorado’s new renewable energy law will consider whether the law is feasible and how costs associated with compliance may be recovered.  The law requires that 20 percent of a utility’s power supply come from renewables by 2020 with no more than a 2 percent rate increase to pay for the associated costs.  At the committee’s first meeting, Tri-State...

Nevada Governor’s Veto is Good News for Coop

Valley Electric Association (VEA) will remain outside the regulatory authority of the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada thanks to a veto by Governor Brian Sandoval.  Assembly Bill 391 would have added another layer of regulatory oversight to several VEA projects and contracts.  For more on this story, click here.

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