Man Arrested in Connection with Arkansas Grid Attacks
Posted on Oct 14, 2013
The FBI and the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas have announced that Jason Woodring, 37, of Jacksonville, Arkansas, was arrested on a criminal complaint charging him with destruction of an energy facility. The affidavit filed with the complaint charges that Woodring is responsible for multiple acts of sabotage to the power grid in Central Arkansas, including an explosion that occurred under power lines near Woodring’s residence in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Woodring is scheduled to appear in federal court on Tuesday. To read more on this story, click...
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Alaska Coop Seeks Purchase of For-Profit Utility
Posted on Oct 14, 2013
Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC), which serves Western Alaska, is seeking to buy Bethel Utilities Corporation (BUC), a for-profit company. According to AVEC’s President, the buyout, on schedule to become effective this Spring, would cut electric rates for customers of both entities. BUC’s rates could drop by 8 to 10 percent immediately. The two entities jointly sought approval of the deal from the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. The Commission is expected to rule on the transfer by December 12. Click here to read the full story.
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Southeastern Coops Amend and Extend Lines of Credit
Posted on Oct 14, 2013
The National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) recently arranged transactions for two coops that will amend and extend their lines of credit. Winchester-based East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) was able to increase its $450 million, five-year syndicated revolving credit facility to $500 million and extend the credit facility’s maturity date to 2018. The agreement provides the coop with immediate savings, and the extension will be beneficial because the coop anticipates financings in 2015 and 2016 to fund capital projects. PowerSouth Energy Cooperative...
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Georgia Coop Settles Class Action Over Patronage Capital for $98 Million
Posted on Oct 11, 2013
After nearly four years of litigating a class action over patronage capital, Cobb EMC has agreed to pay a $98 million settlement to nearly one million of its current and former members. The plaintiffs are to receive their portion of patronage capital (or “capital credits”) they were allegedly owed but never paid. The Marietta Daily Journal has more.
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Virginia Coop to Expand Landfill Project
Posted on Oct 10, 2013
Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative plans to add approximately 5 MW to its 1.9-MW landfill-gas generation facility located at the Prince William County Landfill. The expansion should be in operation by late November and will cost approximately $11 million. Click here for more information.
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South Dakota Coops Respond to Early Season Blizzards
Posted on Oct 9, 2013
Early season blizzards have hit South Dakota, causing damage to the systems of many electric cooperatives. While trying to replace thousands of broken poles and hundreds of miles of disrupted lines, the cooperatives are also facing more damage from falling limbs and muddy surfaces. Dick Johnson, general manager of West River Electric Association, stated, “This is the worst ice and snow storm many of us in western South Dakota can remember.” Click here for more.
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FBI Reports Attacks on Arkansas Power Grid
Posted on Oct 7, 2013
The FBI, ATF, Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office, and Cabot Police Department, in coordination with Entergy Arkansas and First Electric Cooperative, are investigating three potentially related attacks on the Arkansas power grid. The FBI has announced a $25,000 reward leading to arrests in connection with the incidents. In the first incident, a high-voltage transmission line was downed near Cabot on August 21. Then, on September 29, officials with Entergy Arkansas discovered an intentional fire at its Keo substation. The perpetrator left a warning painted on a control panel that read: “YOU...
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Iowa Coop Refinances More Than $8 Million in Outstanding Debt
Posted on Oct 7, 2013
Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative (RVEC), which serves parts of nine counties in west-central Iowa, has refinanced more than $8 million in outstanding debt with other lenders. After a January 2010 ice storm ravaged RVEC’s system, requiring millions of dollars in restoration and reconstruction work, the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) provided an emergency line of credit and helped the coop develop a financial plan to manage restoration costs. RVEC’s recent refinancing agreement makes the Glidden, Iowa-based cooperative CFC’s newest 100-percent borrower. ...
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Kansas Supreme Court Nixes Permit for Coop’s Coal Plant
Posted on Oct 7, 2013
In a unanimous decision, the Kansas Supreme Court overturned a permit granted to Sunflower Electric Power Corporation in 2010 to build a coal-fired power plant in the southwestern part of the state. The court found that the Kansas Department of Health and the Environment (KDHE) erred in issuing the permit because it did not take into account a series of regulations that were enacted beforehand. Between 2006, when Sunflower filed its first application for the facility, and 2010, when the KDHE secretary issued a permit, the Environmental Protection Agency had updated some of its air quality...
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Montana Coops Discuss Sage Grouse and Renewable Portfolio Standard
Posted on Oct 3, 2013
Efforts to avoid listing the sage grouse as an endangered species and changes to the Montana Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) were among the issues discussed at the annual Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association meeting. Efforts to save the sage grouse may require coops to reroute existing lines or plan new lines to avoid breeding locations, which may increase member rates. The Great Falls Tribune has the complete recap.
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Vermont Net Metering Dispute Heats Up
Posted on Oct 3, 2013
Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) seeks to resume its net metering program after reaching the state’s 4% cap on mandatory net metering. VEC’s tariff proposal would adjust credits downward for new participants due to the rapid increase in demand and the decrease in prices associated with net metered solar energy systems. However, Renewable Energy Vermont opposes VEC’s proposal, claiming it is a means to undervalue net metering at the expense of green jobs and environmental benefits. Read more here. See the Sutherland Coop Team’s July 25, 2013, post for background information on the...
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Colorado Wind Farm Expanded
Posted on Oct 3, 2013
Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association (Tri-State) recently completed a 24-MW expansion to the Colorado Highlands Wind Farm. The expanded facility saw a 36% increase in generation,which, when combined with Tri-State’s other renewable resources, amounts to an estimated 18% of the energy produced by Tri-State for its member coops. The Denver Business Journal has more.
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Hawaiian Coop Explores Fuel Options
Posted on Oct 3, 2013
With its fuel supply contract set to expire in April 2015, Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative has requested information from prospective fuel suppliers to determine whether alternatives to oil are feasible. State officials would like to see the coop turn to liquefied natural gas. The coop must also consider its goal of 50% or more renewable sources by 2023. Click here for the full story.
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Iowa Coops Appeal Denial of FEMA Aid
Posted on Oct 2, 2013
Iowa electric cooperatives are appealing a decision by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) which denied $20 million in aid for emergency and permanent repair costs from a snow and ice storm in spring 2012. FEMA based its decision on distribution and transmission line laboratory testing requirements, passed in 2009, which the Iowa coops claim are unrealistic. To read more about this story click here. See the Sutherland Coop Team’s September 19, 2013, post for information on the initial protest.
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