Coops Call for Shipping Reforms
Posted on May 31, 2012
Several coops and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) are among the signatories to a letter from rail shippers to U.S. House Transportation Committee members requesting support for freight industry reforms. The proposed changes would be included in an extensive surface transportation bill and would aid shippers that face high rates and poor service from a single rail provider. For more information, click here.
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Michigan Coops Avoid Personal Property Tax Hike
Posted on May 29, 2012
Body: The Michigan State Tax Commission will continue recognizing system economic factors (SEFs) used to calculate personal property taxes imposed on coops. SEFs take into consideration the economic disadvantages coops face when serving rural customers. The decision will save Michigan coops around $2.8 million a year. Click here for more.
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Georgia Coop Shines in Solar Rankings
Posted on May 29, 2012
Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation placed second in the nation in the category of annual solar watts delivered per customer. These rankings are compiled by the trade group Solar Electric Power Association. Solar power did well in 2011, compared to 2010, and new solar capacity jumped 120 percent as utilities interconnected more than 62,500 photovoltaic systems. Read more here.
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Surface Transportation Board Denies Coop’s Challenge of Shipping Rates
Posted on May 23, 2012
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has declined to order two railroad carriers to charge a single shipping rate as requested by Arizona Electric Power Cooperative. In 2011, the STB issued an opinion in favor of the coop, finding that the railroad companies, BNSF Railway Company and Union Pacific Railroad Company, had charged unreasonable rates. The full text of the most recent STB opinion can be seen here.
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Electric Coops Gaining Stake in Nuclear Generation Plants
Posted on May 23, 2012
Electric cooperatives in Arkansas and Missouri are getting involved in the development of small modular nuclear electric generation plants. The Little Rock-based Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. and Associated Electric Cooperative of Springfield, Missouri, are among a group of 13 utilities committed to collaborating with Westinghouse, which develops small modular reactors. Click here for more details.
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Lawmakers Press for Details on EPA Proposal to Cap Emissions
Posted on May 21, 2012
On Thursday, Representatives Fred Upton and Ed Whitfield sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson asking a host of questions regarding the agency’s Carbon Pollution Standard for New Power Plants as well its plans for future regulations on utilities. In March, the EPA released a proposal to set the country’s first-ever limits on greenhouse gas emissions from new facilities. Law360 has more on the story (subscription required).
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Kansas Coop, NCSC and CFC Finalize $100 Million Credit Deal
Posted on May 21, 2012
The National Cooperative Services Corporation (NCSC) recently finalized a $100 million credit deal for Mid-Kansas Electric Company, LLC. NCSC acted as the lead lender in a syndicated credit facility. The National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) was lead arranger and will serve as administrative agent for the three-year unsecured revolving credit facility. The coop plans to use the funds for general corporate purposes, such as investment in generation and transmission assets, other capital expenditures and the issuance of letters of credit. Click here for more...
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NRECA Report Highlights Biogas Opportunities for Coops
Posted on May 21, 2012
With 2,136 wastewater treatment facilities located in coop service areas, a report by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) Cooperative Research Network estimates that biogas from these facilities could be used to generate approximately 445 megawatts of base load power. As the technology improves for harnessing and using biogas as a renewable source of energy, the opportunities for coops to use this energy source should continue to improve. Electric Co-op Today is covering this story.
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Lake Worth Approves Settlement with Florida Coop
Posted on May 16, 2012
Lake Worth City Commissioners approved an $850,000 settlement on Tuesday to end the city’s lawsuit against the Florida Municipal Power Agency. The settlement must still be accepted by FMPA, the Orlando-based power cooperative that supplies electricity to Lake Worth Utilities. The dispute arose from gas-transmission fees that FMPA quit paying in 2009 after the City Commission voted to end its power-supply agreement with the coop in 2014. The Palm Beach Post has more on the settlement here.
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Construction Begins on 250-Mile Transmission Line in North Dakota
Posted on May 16, 2012
Construction began this week on Minnkota Power Cooperative’s $312 million, 250-mile transmission line, which will run from Center to Grand Forks, North Dakota. The 345-kilovolt transmission line is the longest line built in North Dakota in more than 30 years and should be completed by the end of 2013. The line will deliver coal-fired power from a plant near Center, which will allow Minnkota to designate an existing transmission line for wind energy. Click here to read more about the ongoing construction.
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North Dakota Coop Awarded 50-Year Federal Contract
Posted on May 16, 2012
Verendrye Electric Cooperative will officially take over the electrical facilities at Minot Air Force Base on June 1. In 2010, the coop was awarded a 50-year federal contract to purchase, maintain and operate the electrical distribution infrastructure on the base. According to Air Force estimates, the contract will be worth nearly $85 million over the 50-year period. The Minot Daily News has more on this story here.
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Florida Coop and City Utility to Consider $850,000 Settlement
Posted on May 16, 2012
Florida Municipal Power Agency, an Orlando-based power coop that supplies electricity to City of Lake Worth, has proposed a $850,000 settlement with Lake Worth to end a dispute over natural gas transmission fees. The city board will consider the settlement at its next meeting. Click here for more information.
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With Help of CFC, Texas Coop Secures $115 Million in Financing for Renewable Projects
Posted on May 14, 2012
The National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) recently helped Nacogdoches, Texas-based East Texas Electric Cooperative (ETEC) secure $115 million through a syndicated credit facility. CFC and Regions Bank, based in Birmingham, Alabama, participated in a four-year, unsecured revolving credit transaction in which CFC will serve as the administrative agent. ETEC will use the funds to construct a 50-MW biomass plant and a 24-MW hydroelectric facility on the Trinity River near Livingston, Texas. Click here for more.
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Update on Wisconsin Transmission Project
Posted on May 14, 2012
As expected, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin approved a new high-voltage power line that is designed to reduce grid congestion in the Midwest power grid. The Journal Sentinel has more on the project and the approval.
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