Coops Concerned about Coal Transportation
Posted on Nov 13, 2014
Electric cooperatives are expressing concern that railroads may fail to deliver all the coal necessary to meet winter’s heating demand. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s CEO, joined by other industry leaders, has reached out to the Surface Transportation Board (Board) to express these concerns and to request that the Board require BNSF Railway to provide a coal service recovery plan. Click here for more.
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Southwest Power Pool to Integrate Basin Electric
Posted on Nov 12, 2014
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has accepted a proposal from Southwest Power Pool (SPP) to significantly expand its geographic footprint in the Upper Great Plains region of the United States. SPP’s proposal includes the integration of Basin Electric Power Cooperative, a portion of the Western Area Power Administration and Heartland Consumers Power District into SPP. To read more, please click here.
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New Copper Theft Law Passes in in Pennsylvania
Posted on Nov 11, 2014
Pennsylvania recently passed a law imposing increased penalties for metal theft, including stronger penalties for repeat offenders. The new law establishes three types of misdemeanors for metal theft under $1000, based on the value of items stolen. If the value of the metal stolen exceeds $1000, the metal theft will constitute a third-degree felony. If an individual is convicted of metal theft three times, the offense becomes a third-degree felony automatically, carrying a punishment of up to seven years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine. Click here to read more.
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North Dakota Coop Plans Large Increase in Wind Power
Posted on Nov 7, 2014
Basin Electric Power Cooperative says that it will double the power it derives from wind energy by 2016. Basin is expecting its load to grow by more than 1,883 megawatts by 2035. Currently, the coop has 712.7 megawatts of wind generation. Basin plans to purchase power from other generators to increase that number to 1,400 megawatts of wind generation over the next two years. The Bismarck Tribune has the full story here.
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Tri-State Predicts Increased Load Growth
Posted on Nov 4, 2014
On Friday Tri-State Generation and Transmission (Tri-State) filed a resource plan update with state regulators, forecasting load growth at a rate that is faster than previously expected. If growth occurs at such rates, Tri-State indicated that it would utilize several options to secure increased capacity and stated that it has made no firm commitments on timing, size or location of new conventional power plants. Tri-State did indicate that it would likely require more transmission facilities to support future renewable generation projects. Click here to read more.
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Iowa Coop Enters Solar Business
Posted on Nov 3, 2014
Western Iowa Power Coop has begun selling solar systems directly to its members. The move is intended to encourage members to contact the coop first for all solar installation needs and has provided a public relations boost for the coop. Click here for the full story.
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Oklahoma Coop Board Faces Overhaul
Posted on Nov 3, 2014
Shareholders of the Choctaw Electric Coop have signed a petition to remove all nine of the coop’s board members citing, among other things, mismanagement and inconsistent administration of coop policies. Click here to read more.
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Maryland Coop Earns Coop of the Year Award
Posted on Nov 3, 2014
Southern Maryland Electric Coop was named “Electric Cooperative Utility of the Year” by the Solar Electric Power Association for its efforts to meet Maryland’s renewable energy goals. SMECO chose to build solar within its service area, rather than purchase renewable credits from a resource far away. Click here for more information.
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Minnesota Jury Rules in Favor of Dairy Farmers
Posted on Oct 29, 2014
A jury has awarded the owners of a family farm near Pine River, Minnesota damages based on claims against a local electric cooperative. The family claimed that stray voltage caused issues with its dairy cows. To read more please click here.
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Virginia Coop Successful in Pole Attachment Case
Posted on Oct 29, 2014
The State Corporation Commission of Virginia (SCC) has sided with Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) in a dispute regarding the rates Comcast must pay per pole attachment. The SCC said that NOVEC met its burden of proof in demonstrating that its pole attachment rates were just and reasonable. To read more about this story please click here.
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Hoosier Energy Enters New Wind Deal
Posted on Oct 27, 2014
Indiana generation and transmission cooperative Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Hoosier Energy) has entered a deal with EDP Renewables under which Hoosier Energy will be purchasing 25 percent of the output of Illinois’s 100-MW Rail Splitter Wind Farm by the end of the year. Click here for more.
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Two Kansas Coops Establish Strategic Alliance
Posted on Oct 24, 2014
Kaw Valley Electric Cooperative and Leavenworth-Jefferson Electric Cooperative, both located in northeast Kansas, have established a strategic alliance in order to control costs while ensuring affordable and reliable service. A coop representative said that a consolidation of the coops could deliver cost savings of more than $13 million over 10 years. Trustees of both coops approved the alliance during a special joint meeting on October 3 and both coops plan to give their members a chance to vote on consolidation at their 2016 annual meetings. Click here to read more on this story.
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Biomass Plant Completed for Texas Coop
Posted on Oct 24, 2014
Gemma Power Systems, LLC has completed construction of a 49.9 MW biomass plant in Woodville, TX for East Texas Electric Cooperative (ETEC) Woodville Renewable Power Project. The biomass plant, which features a Shin Nippon steam turbine generator and a Riley Power advanced stoker boiler with integrated air quality control system, has completed testing and been turned over to ETEC for commercial operation. Click here to read more on this story.
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Power Company Settlement Ends Obstacle to Large Florida Development
Posted on Oct 24, 2014
The developers of Babcock Ranch (Babcock) in Florida have reached a settlement with two utility providers, including Lee County Electric Cooperative (LCEC), which will allow developers to break ground on the development. The dispute arose over a proposal by the Babcock Ranch Community Independent Special District to create its own power utility for the planned development. LCEC, which also had been scheduled to sell power in the area, challenged Babcock’s plan, saying the new utility would cost it revenue and make it raise rates for its members. The settlement allows Florida Power &...
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