Montana PSC’s Request to Intervene in Coop Bankruptcy Proceedings Is Denied
Posted on Mar 9, 2012
A U.S. Bankruptcy judge denied the Montana Public Service Commission’s (PSC) request to intervene in the bankruptcy proceedings of Southern Montana Electric Generation and Transmission Cooperative, Inc. despite the PSC’s argument that intervention would be in the public interest. Counsel for the coop argued against intervention because the PSC does not regulate coops and is not a creditor. The judge left open the possibility of intervention at a later time, and the PSC plans to track and monitor the progress of the proceedings. The Billings Gazette and Law360 (subscription required) have the...
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Georgia Legislature Considers Two Bills Impacting Cooperatives
Posted on Mar 9, 2012
The Georgia Senate this week passed a bill providing that consumers may elect not to use “smart meters.” Senate Bill 459 further permits the Georgia Public Service Commission to create and regulate a surcharge for consumers who elect not to use smart meters. The bill has been sent to the House for consideration. The full text of SB 459 can be viewed here. A second bill impacting electric cooperatives, SB 401, failed to make it out of committee and to a vote by the Senate. Senate Bill 401, which was supported by the solar industry, would have amended the Georgia Cogeneration Act to, among...
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Delaware Coop Makes Plans for Solar
Posted on Mar 8, 2012
The Delaware Electric Cooperative plans to build a 4 MW solar park capable of expanding to 8 MW of power generation. SunEdison has been tapped to develop the project, which will cost roughly $14 million with a projected completion date by early 2013. The project will help the coop satisfy Delaware’s renewable energy standards and create jobs. The Delaware Journal has the full story.
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U.S. Department of Agriculture to Fund Rural Electric Infrastructure
Posted on Mar 8, 2012
USDA Rural Development announced that rural electric coops in eight states will receive funding for smart grid technologies and generation and transmission facility improvements. The Rural Utilities Service will be charged with managing the $201 million in loans, of which about $25 million will go towards smart grid developments. The announcement came at the 2012 National Rural Electric Cooperative Association annual meeting. Click here for more.
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Old Dominion Coal-Fired Plant Obtains Initial Approval
Posted on Mar 6, 2012
A $5 billion, 1,500-MW Old Dominion Electric Cooperative coal-fired plant has been granted a conditional use permit by the Dendron, Virginia, Town Council. The plant still needs to obtain environmental approvals. Read more here.
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Potential Power Plant Sites Assessed in Nationwide Study
Posted on Mar 6, 2012
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Electric Power Research Institute have issued a report assessing possible sites for future power generation in the U.S.. The researchers took into account factors such as siting constraints, terrain, access to water and proximity to large population centers. This type of detailed site analysis can support long-term strategic planning and resource management of coops across the country. The 700 sites listed in this report and other information can be found in this article.
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Western Farmers Electric Cooperative Contracts with Calpine for Capacity and Power
Posted on Mar 6, 2012
Calpine Corporation has entered into a long-term agreement to supply Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC) with electric generation capacity and power from Calpine’s Oneta Energy Center (OEC) in Oklahoma. The OEC is a natural gas, combined-cycle, 1,134-MW power plant. WFEC must still obtain certain approvals and satisfactory transmission service. Click here for more.
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NSWC Indian Head Gets New Service Provider
Posted on Mar 5, 2012
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) has become the electric service provider for the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) at Indian Head in Maryland. SMECO is taking over for Pepco who provided transmission service to NSWC for many years; NSWC was Pepco’s sole customer within the boundaries of SMECO’s service area. Southern Maryland Online has the full story.
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Recent Storms Impact Coop Territories in Multiple States
Posted on Mar 5, 2012
On March 2, multiple tornadoes and violent storms moved through communities served by electric cooperatives in several states, claiming at least 36 lives, injuring hundreds and leaving thousands more without power. The communications coordinator for Indiana-based Clark County Rural Electric Membership Corporation described some areas as being “literally wiped off the map.” Click here to read more about the areas and coops impacted by the storms.
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Montana Coops Negotiating New Payment Plans with Oil Companies
Posted on Mar 5, 2012
Some Montana coops are changing the way they structure payment plans with oil companies that need their oil well sites to be electrified. Lower Yellowstone Rural Electric Association (LYREA) is requiring payment up front from the oil companies rather than allowing payment through the monthly electricity rate. The cost of making payments all at once can add up; costs can reach about $60,000 per mile for line. In 2011, LYREA installed between 75 to 80 miles of line. To read more about the evolving payment requirements, click here.
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EPA and North Dakota Closer to Agreement on Haze Reduction Plan
Posted on Mar 5, 2012
Officials for the state of North Dakota announced last Friday that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency agreed to approve the majority of the state’s regional haze air quality plan. The EPA had previously called North Dakota’s plan inadequate and had threatened to assume regulatory authority in the state, which relied heavily on coal power. The announcement comes as good news for Minnkota Power Cooperative and Basin Electric Power Cooperative. Both were targeted by the EPA but are no longer facing the possibility of new technology recommended by the agency. Midwest Energy News has more...
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Tri-State Signs PPA for Energy from Colorado Highlands Wind Project
Posted on Mar 2, 2012
In a move to diversify its generation portfolio and increase the amount of energy from renewable resources, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc., has agreed to purchase energy for the next 20 years from a 67-MW wind project to be build by Colorado Highlands Wind LLC. This agreement concludes an RFP process initiated by the coop in October 2011. Read more here.
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Proposed Missouri Bill to Expand Coops’ Rights to Use Existing Utility Poles
Posted on Mar 2, 2012
Missouri State Senator Brad Lager recently introduced a bill (S. B. 891) that will allow rural electric coops to use existing utility poles and rights-of-way for smart grid and broadband applications. News-Press Now has the full story.
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South Dakota Legislature Passes Law Changing How Coops Are Taxed
Posted on Mar 2, 2012
Following a 31-2 vote in the South Dakota Senate, S.B. 123 is headed to the governor’s desk for signature. If the bill is signed into law, rural electric coops will be taxed based exclusively on the total number of kilowatt-hours delivered to customers. Coops support this bill because it is designed to limit future tax increases. The Daily Republic has been following this story.
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