Power Plant Bill Passes Arkansas Legislature, On to Governor
Posted on Mar 29, 2011 in Legislative & Politics, Litigation | Comments Off on Power Plant Bill Passes Arkansas Legislature, On to Governor
As reported in the Arkansas News, House Bill 1895 passed in the Arkansas Senate Monday on a 26-7 vote after passing in the House last week with a definitive 91-0 vote. The bill now goes to the governor and if approved will allow the state Public Service Commission to review in separate proceedings a public utility’s request for additional energy supply and proposal for a new...
Unusual Corridor of Land Request in North Dakota
Posted on Mar 28, 2011 in Land Use, Permitting, Project Development | Comments Off on Unusual Corridor of Land Request in North Dakota
Minnkota Power Cooperative has requested an unusually narrow corridor of land on which to build a new 260-mile power line from west-central North Dakota to Grand Forks. While corridor requests may be up to six miles wide, Minnkota’s recent application was for 1,000 feet, a unique move that may reduce the cooperative’s siting expenses the AP reports.
NRECA Among Several Cooperative Entities to Participate In House Briefing
Posted on Mar 28, 2011 in Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on NRECA Among Several Cooperative Entities to Participate In House Briefing
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), National Cooperative Business Association and other cooperative bodies will participate in a House briefing on “The Role of Cooperatives in Rural and Urban Communities” on March 29, 2011. The Washington, D.C., event provides a forum for participants to raise and discuss the unique challenges facing cooperatives...
Surge in Demand Thanks to Oil Field Development
Posted on Mar 28, 2011 in Financing, Project Development | Comments Off on Surge in Demand Thanks to Oil Field Development
Rural electric cooperatives in North Dakota face increased demand for power and transmission lines due to the rapid development of oil fields and a corresponding workforce in the western area of the state. Cooperatives are projected to invest heavily over the next three years in an effort to serve the rising presence of oil reports The Bismarck Tribune.
HB 1895 Clears Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee
Posted on Mar 25, 2011 in Legislative & Politics | Comments Off on HB 1895 Clears Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee
House Bill 1895 cleared the Arkansas Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee today. The bill, which had passed the House on March 11, 2011, would change existing utility law and affect issues currently under litigation. The Sierra Club has issued a press release in opposition of the bill, which it argues infringes on the rights of landowners to fully participate in having a say on...
FEMA Grants Funds to Coops to Protect Against Future Transmission Outages
Posted on Mar 25, 2011 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on FEMA Grants Funds to Coops to Protect Against Future Transmission Outages
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded Iowa more than $23.6 million to help two rural electric cooperatives upgrade transmission lines to lessen damage from future disasters. Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative, which serves customers throughout western Iowa, will be awarded $20.7 million to retrofit 151 miles of distribution lines, and Southwest Iowa Rural Electric...
Trico Develops Sun Farm Program
Posted on Mar 24, 2011 in Climate Change, Energy Savings Programs, Innovation/Efficiency, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Trico Develops Sun Farm Program
Trico Electric Cooperative in Arizona has created a “sun farm” program for people who want solar electricity but do not want solar panels on their roofs. Run largely like a farm share, Arizona residents will be able to purchase output from a quarter, half or full solar panel. The project is being funded by a 21st Century Energy Grant of nearly $1 million from the Arizona Department...
YVEC in Litigation Over Exit from Southern Montana Electric Generation and Transmission Cooperative
Posted on Mar 24, 2011 in Litigation, Project Development | Comments Off on YVEC in Litigation Over Exit from Southern Montana Electric Generation and Transmission Cooperative
Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative (YVEC) is headed to trial in November in effort to leave Southern Montana Electric Generation and Transmission Cooperative (Southern). YVEC, four other coops and the city of Great Falls, Montana, formed Southern in 2004 for the purpose of developing and owning a coal-fired power plant near Great Falls. However, with time, the cost of the plant...
Idaho Renewable Rate Debates
Posted on Mar 24, 2011 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Idaho Renewable Rate Debates
Idaho developers and utilities are at odds over the application of the Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA) to mandate renewable energy rates. Kootenai Electric Cooperative, a small cooperative in Hayden, Idaho, is developing a landfill gas project with Kootenai County. However, Avista Corp., the Spokane, Washington-based utility, has rejected the price Kootenai...
Southern Nuclear Projects Largely Unaffected By the Japan Nuclear Crisis
Posted on Mar 23, 2011 in Innovation/Efficiency, Project Development, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Southern Nuclear Projects Largely Unaffected By the Japan Nuclear Crisis
Santee Cooper and Oglethorpe Power Corporation are among the coops to move forward with plans for nuclear facilities despite the Japanese nuclear crisis. Santee Cooper currently holds a 33.3 percent ownership interest in the existing 900-MW nuclear unit at Summer, as well as a 45 percent stake in the planned two-unit expansion of the facility. As reported by the Coop Law Blog...
Subscribe
