Tennessee Bill Allows Rural Cooperatives to Offer Video Services to Customers
Posted on Mar 10, 2017
In an important step to expand access to high-speed internet in rural Tennessee, the Broadband Accessibility Act has been amended to now allow cooperatives to have cable-like television offerings in areas many residents do not currently have broadband access.
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NRECA Supports Decision to Revisit WOTUS
Posted on Mar 1, 2017
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) has issued a statement supporting the Trump Administration’s decision to revisit the Waters of the U.S. rule (WOTUS).
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USDA Announces Loans to Coops
Posted on Mar 1, 2017
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced $202 million in loans to coops to upgrade electric service in Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. These loans include $14.7 million for coops to implement Smart Grid technology.
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Cooperatives Strike Deal to Bring High-Speed Internet to Rural New Mexico
Posted on Feb 27, 2017
The Kit Carson Electric Cooperative and Continental Divide Electric Cooperative recently struck a three year deal that will bring broadband services to Grants, New Mexico. Grants is a rural town of about 9,200 people that previously lacked the infrastructure needed to support high-speed internet. The cooperatives believe that bringing high-speed internet to rural areas such as Grants will increase business competition and continue the advancement of technology in rural America.
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Swan’s Island Makes another Attempt to Merge with Emera Maine
Posted on Feb 17, 2017
After Maine regulators denied Swan’s Island Electric Coop (Swan’s Island) to merge with Emera Maine (Emera) because the merger would have put a disproportionate burden on Emera’s mainland customers, Swan’s Island has submitted a new merger proposal putting more of the financial burden of the merger on the island utility customers. Regulators are schedule to review the revised plan on February 22.
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Anza Electric Receives California-Supported Loan for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Posted on Feb 17, 2017
Anza Electric Cooperative (Anza Electric) will be the first recipient of a state-sponsored loan for a charging station program started by the California State Treasurer and the California Energy Commission. The program’s goal is to help make electric charging stations more accessible to assist California in reducing carbon pollution to its mandated 40 percent goal by 2030. The program incentivizes businesses and multi-unit residential properties to install electric vehicle equipment with rebates and loan-loss protections.
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Dairyland Purchasing 80 MW of Wind Energy
Posted on Feb 15, 2017
Effective February 15, 2017 Dairyland Power Cooperative (Dairyland) will begin purchasing 80 MW of renewable energy from the Barton Wind Farm. The 80 MW of renewable energy purchased by Dairyland is enough to power more than 19,000 homes.
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NY Provides $3 million for Coop Electric Vehicle Purchases
Posted on Feb 14, 2017
Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that New York will provide $3 million in funding to help rural electricity cooperatives purchase electric vehicles to replace less fuel-efficient vehicles. Cooperatives that currently receive hydropower from the New York Power Authority are eligible to participate in this new program, which provides zero interest financing recovered over three years.
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NRECA Calls for Trump Administration Focus on Rural Issues
Posted on Feb 10, 2017
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) was joined by 40 organizations in a letter to President Trump urging the new administration to focus on issues affecting rural families and businesses by designating a senior member of the White House staff as a rural advisor and/or creating a specific office within the administration with a direct focus on rural issues.
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Arizona Electric joins with ATC Development to Provide Transmission Services
Posted on Feb 10, 2017
Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (Arizona Electric) has entered into a joint operating agreement with ATC Development Company (ATC Development), a Wisconsin-based utility, to develop transmission projects in the southwestern United States under a new transmission company “ATC Southwest.” ATC Development’s expertise in transmission development combined with Arizona Electric’s relationships with energy providers throughout the southwest makes for a complementary partnership.
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Lake Region Electric to Construct Natural Gas Pipeline
Posted on Feb 10, 2017
Lake Region Electric Cooperative (LREC) and Minnesota Gas will construct an intrastate pipeline in Minnesota to serve natural gas customers in the Deer Creek and Parkers Prairie communities. The $1.6 million pipeline is scheduled for service in August 2017 and will be owned and maintained by LREC.
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DOE Awards $3.24MM Grant to Texas Cooperative and Energy Storage Companies for Solar Energy Integration
Posted on Feb 3, 2017
Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC), the largest electric distribution cooperative in the United States, and Advanced Microgrid Solutions were awarded a $3.24 million grant by the Department of Energy (DOE) as part of the DOE SunShot Initiative, aimed to accelerate the adoption of cost-competitive solar technologies. The grant will help demonstrate the use of energy storage technologies to integrate more solar energy into electric grid in Texas.
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Tennessee Cooperatives to Benefit from State’s Broadband Accessibility Initiative
Posted on Jan 27, 2017
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam announced a proposal to provide $45 million in grants and tax credits over three years to service providers, including the state’s private, nonprofit electric cooperatives, in an effort to make broadband available to currently underserved homes and businesses.
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Dairyland Pledges to Cut Reliance on Coal and Diversify Energy Sources
Posted on Jan 23, 2017
Dairyland Power Cooperative (Dairyland) CEO Barbara Nick recently informed a renewable energy forum that it will aim to cut its reliance on coal by 20 percent within the next ten years. Nick asserted that this pledge will be kept even if Donald Trump loosens environmental regulations on coal because energy diversification is “just plain good common business sense.” Dairyland expects to add more energy from natural gas and wind and solar energy in order to accomplish this goal.
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