Delaware Electric Cooperative Bid Declined for Electric Distribution System
Posted on Nov 17, 2011
Delaware-based Lewes Board of Public Works has rejected a $16 million bid by Delaware Electric Cooperative to purchase the board’s electric distribution system. In rejecting the offer, the Lewes board said it wished to retain the ability to exercise control over rates and to make decisions related to the reliability of its electric service. The Lewes board is still considering an offer to become a full-requirement member of Delaware Municipal Electric Corp. Continue reading this story here.
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Demand for the CapX2020 Transmission Project Questioned in Wisconsin
Posted on Nov 17, 2011
Proponents of the CapX2020 transmission line have stated that the project is necessary because demand in the La Crosse/Winona, Wisconsin, area will soon exceed the capabilities of the existing transmission capabilities. The Wisconsin Public Service Commission disagrees, citing concerns that area’s population would not increase fast enough to justify the project’s $450 million cost. CapX2020 is a consortium of Xcel Energy, Dairyland Power Cooperative and nine other utilities in Minnesota, the Dakotas, Iowa and Wisconsin. Click here for the full story.
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Montana Coop to Explore Geothermal Power Production
Posted on Nov 15, 2011
On December 12, Flathead Electric Cooperative is scheduled to begin geothermal exploration efforts near Hot Springs, Montana. The venture is the latest renewable energy project pursued by Flathead in an effort to find cost-effective alternatives to Bonneville Power Administration’s anticipated cap on low-price wholesale power sales. Flathead is already working on projects to develop hydroelectric, biomass and landfill gas to methane generation. The Flathead Beacon has the full story.
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More Wind Expected in Alaska
Posted on Nov 15, 2011
Alaskan electric coop Kodiak Electric Association is accepting contractor bids to double the size of its current 4.5-MW wind farm. The expansion, when coupled with a nearby hydropower plant, will help Kodiak attain its renewable energy goal of 95 percent renewables by 2020. A battery energy system is also planned to help integrate the output from the wind farm. Read more.
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Delaware Coop Makes Bid for City Electric System
Posted on Nov 14, 2011
Delaware Electric Cooperative has tendered a $16 million offer to purchase Lewes Board of Public Works electric distribution system. The Board is considering an offer from the Delaware Electric Municipal Electric Corporation to become a full member of the DEMEC. Delaware Electric Coop’s CEO and President said that the Board’s consideration of the DEMEC offer prompted the coop to make its own multi-million dollar offer. The Cape Gazette has more.
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Coop to Build 190-Mile Transmission Line to Serve North Dakota Oil Boom
Posted on Nov 11, 2011
Basin Electric Power Cooperative is moving forward with its plans to build a transmission line that will serve growing load in the oil regions of North Dakota. Basin is applying for RUS financing, which will require an environmental review of the project. Basin must also coordinate with North Dakota’s Public Service Commission on the siting process. Construction could begin as early as 2014. The Bismarck Tribune is covering this story.
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Coops Avoid Public Protest by Picking Hard-Wired Smart Grid Technology
Posted on Nov 8, 2011
Public protest over the health effects of wireless smart grid technology have largely left two electric coops in Vermont unscathed. Those coops have elected to use hard-wired smart grid technology instead of the wireless systems because the hard-wired systems are less expensive and better suited to their rural territories. Click here for the full story.
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Ninth Circuit Decision Sides with FERC on Market-Based Rates
Posted on Nov 8, 2011
The petitions of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and others were rejected by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which found that Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) market-based rates policy for wholesale power markets is in keeping under the agency’s governing statutes. The policy of screening for market power before authorizing market-based rates, and continually monitoring sellers for market power, set out in FERC’s Order No. 697, does not exceed the agency’s authority under the Federal Power Act according to the Ninth Circuit. To...
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Kentucky Coop’s Financial Improvements Reflected in Credit Ratings
Posted on Nov 7, 2011
East Kentucky Power Cooperative announced that it has established credit ratings with Standard & Poor’s and Fitch. The new ratings reflect substantial financial improvements at the coop, which lost money in 2004 and 2005. After establishing a profit in 2006, the coop applied for and received approval for multiple rate increases. The coop’s chief financial officer says that the new ratings will give the coop better access to financing in the private market. The Lexington Herald-Leader has more.
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Development of Tennessee Solar Farm Delayed
Posted on Nov 7, 2011
The West Tennessee Megasite Solar Farm, originally expected to open this month, is now expected to go online early next year. Roughly nine miles of electrical lines must be upgraded before the project is complete. These lines run from the solar farm to the Chickasaw Electric Cooperative substation, where the power will hook into the grid. Click here to read more about the farm and its expected economic impact on the region.
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Two Illinois Coops Announce Merger
Posted on Nov 4, 2011
Farmers Mutual Electric Company and Jo-Carroll Energy, Inc. plan to merge into a single cooperative that will serve around 28,000 members. The proposed merger has been approved by the boards of each coop but remains subject to member approval. The resulting coop will serve both electric and natural gas customers. For more details on this proposed merger, see the Galena Gazette.
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Researchers to Demonstrate Algae-Based CO2 Capture Technology on Coop Facility
Posted on Nov 4, 2011
University of Kentucky researchers have been working on a technology whereby algae is used to capture carbon dioxide from coal-fired facilities and then converted into useable biomass. The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet has earmarked $1.3 million for a demonstration of the technology at a East Kentucky Power Cooperative facility. See the University of Kentucky press release for the complete story.
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Coops Join North Dakota in Coal Suit
Posted on Nov 3, 2011
The state of North Dakota and certain power industry participants, including Basin Electric Power Cooperative and Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc., filed suit against the state of Minnesota. The plaintiffs contend that a Minnesota law restricting the importation of coal-generated power violates the U.S. Constitution and will result in higher electricity prices for Minnesota consumers. The Dickinson Press has the full story.
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New Mexico Coop Teams up for Space Travel
Posted on Nov 3, 2011
Sierra Electric Cooperative will serve Spaceport America, a $209 million economic development project that will allow tourists to take suborbital excursions into space. Sierra Electric energized a dedicated line to the commercial space port and anticipates additional infrastructure investment as area development continues. Supporters of the project hope the influx of space tourists will boost business and create jobs. Read more.
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