Potential Risks in Solar Interconnection Changes
Posted on Apr 3, 2012
In a filing before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association recently identified significant reliability and safety risks that could be caused by the proposed revised procedures for interconnecting small solar generation with the grid. NRECA requested that FERC reject the Solar Energy Industries Association’s request for blanket amendments to the interconnection procedures in Order No. 2006 (FERC Docket RM12-10). Instead, NRECA suggested that these changes be applied on a case-by-case basis for qualified utilities. For more on...
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Arizona Coop Seeks to Offer Prepaid Services to Members
Posted on Apr 2, 2012
Mohave Electric Cooperative (MEC) is seeking permission from the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) to offer its members prepaid electric service. If approved, the service would provide pay-as-you-go service for customers who request it. AARP Arizona has submitted comments to the ACC raising some questions about MEC’s proposal, especially with regard to how the proposed service would apply to customers with medical conditions, such as customers who have life support equipment. MEC has responded that prepaid services would not be offered to people with medical problems who need access to...
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Florida Coop to Issue $13 Million in Equity Refunds
Posted on Apr 2, 2012
Fort Myers-based Lee County Electric Cooperative will give customers almost $13 million in equity refunds or credits beginning in June. The refund checks will go to more than 48,000 customers based on the amount of equity they have in the system. Another 141,100 customers will receive credits on their bills. The News-Press has more here.
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EPA Regulations Could Prevent the Use of Coal at New Plants
Posted on Apr 2, 2012
Under a new rule proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on March 27, carbon dioxide emissions from new fossil fuel plants would be required to be roughly equivalent to the emissions from new combined-cycle natural gas plants. Some industry members believe the rule could effectively prevent the use of coal to produce electric power at new plants. The proposed standard would mark the first-ever limits placed on greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. Click here to read more.
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Impact of New GHG Rules on Planned Virginia Plant Uncertain
Posted on Mar 29, 2012
New rules proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency would limit greenhouse gas emissions for power plants that begin construction a year or more into the future. The effect of the new rules on Old Dominion Electric Cooperative’s plans for a new 1,500-MW, coal-fired power plant in Surry County, Virginia, remains uncertain. The Daily Press has the full story.
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Vermont Electric Coop to Kick Off Energy and Environmental Management Project
Posted on Mar 27, 2012
Vermont Electric Cooperative is partnering with Kilawatt Technologies on an Energy and Environmental Management project. This project aims to reduce electric power waste in commercial buildings by tailoring supply closer to consumption. This effort will include collecting total energy consumption data across a building, determining the energy consumption patterns of that building, and developing building-specific control algorithms so only energy needed to provide a comfortable environment is delivered to the building, where needed, at the lowest possible cost. Continue reading.
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Coops Honored by J.D. Power
Posted on Mar 27, 2012
Three of the 50 companies selected as J.D. Power 2012 Customer Service Champions are electric coops: Jackson EMC in Jefferson, Georgia; Sawnee EMC in Cumming, Georgia; and Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative in Hughesville, Maryland. The list was based on feedback from customers on what J.D. Power calls the “5 Ps” – people, presentation, price, process and product. Read more here.
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Coop Offers Members Right to Opt Out of Smart Meter Program
Posted on Mar 23, 2012
In response to some members’ concerns over privacy and security, Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative in Hawaii announced that it will give its members the option of whether or not to participate in the coop’s smart meter program. The coop remains committed to its smart meter program, but opponents continue to seek a preliminary injunction in federal court. See Smartmeter.com for the story, and click here for a copy of the complaint filed in federal court.
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Senate Bill Aims to Increase Energy Efficiency in Rural Areas
Posted on Mar 22, 2012
Sponsors of the Merkley-Lugar Rural Energy Savings Program Act (RESPA) hope the proposed bill will improve energy efficiency efforts in rural America. RESPA would authorize the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to offer loans to rural electric coops, which, in turn, would use the added RUS funding to provide low-interest loans to customers for energy efficiency investments. You can read more about RESPA by clicking here.
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Study to Determine North Dakota Power Needs
Posted on Mar 20, 2012
The North Dakota Industrial Commission, Basin Electric Power Cooperative and Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. are among the largest contributors to a study on how to meet the electricity needs of the state’s booming oil industry. The study is expected to determine whether utilities should develop additional electric generation and will also address related issues such as transmission capabilities for future and present generation. The study should be completed by September. Read more here.
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Lea County Coop Dedicates New Gas Plant
Posted on Mar 20, 2012
Lea County Electric Cooperative, Inc., which serves New Mexico and West Texas, recently saw its first wholly owned generation plan come online. Construction financing for the 47-MW, natural gas-fired plant was provided by the National Cooperative Services Corporation and consisted of a $55 million secured bridge line of credit and a $10.4 million secured letter of credit to support equipment purchases. Click here for more.
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Iowa Coop Honored After Speedy Completion of Wind Farms
Posted on Mar 20, 2012
Estherville-based Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative has been honored by the U.S. Department of Energy as the 2011 Wind Cooperative of the Year after designing and building two wind farms in just 18 months. The coop built the wind farms near existing ethanol plants, which allowed it to use existing substation infrastructure and save approximately $5 million by not having to build a transmission-level connection to the grid. On days when the wind is blowing at 22 to 25 mph the wind farms can supply all of the plant’s power needs. To read more about the financing and design of the wind farms,...
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Revised Definition of “Bulk Electric System” May Benefit Coops
Posted on Mar 15, 2012
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) submitted a revised definition of the term “Bulk Electric System” (BES) for approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. If accepted, the revised definition may benefit coops by limiting the types of facilities subject to the NERC Reliability Standards. In particular, coops owning only radial facilities would likely escape BES designation. Read the full story here.
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Coop Faces Questions about Savings Potential from Renewable Energy
Posted on Mar 12, 2012
The Massachusetts-based Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative, which is a regional agency created to pursue renewable energy projects for towns in the state, is facing questions about a recent initiative to pursue solar energy. Members of municipal energy committees in some towns have expressed doubt that they are getting the best possible deal from CVEC. The Cape Cod Times has more information about the proposed renewable energy projects here.
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