FERC Notes Coop Smart Grid Growth
Posted on Jan 8, 2013 in Energy Savings Programs, Environmental, Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Rates, Technology | Comments Off on FERC Notes Coop Smart Grid Growth
The use of smart grid technologies by coops is being recognized on a national level. A report issued in December 2012 by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) stated that coops are still national leaders in implementing advanced metering. According to the FERC report, advanced metering use among coops increased from 16.4 percent in 2008 to 24.7 percent in 2010 to 30.9...
Alaskan Gas Shortages Call for Conservation
Posted on Jan 3, 2013 in Energy Savings Programs, Regulation & Policy, Reliability | Comments Off on Alaskan Gas Shortages Call for Conservation
Due to anticipated natural gas shortages in the Cook Inlet area of Alaska, local coops, utilities and regional governments are banding together to raise public awareness about the problem and to promote demand-side conservation efforts. Chugach Electric Association, Homer Electric Association and Matanuska Electric Association are three coops involved in the Energy Watch effort. ...
Kentucky PSC Accepts Settlement in Big Sandy RECC Rate Case
Posted on Nov 7, 2012 in Energy Savings Programs, Litigation, Rates | Comments Off on Kentucky PSC Accepts Settlement in Big Sandy RECC Rate Case
The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) accepted a proposed settlement in a rate adjustment case filed by Big Sandy Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation (Big Sandy RECC). The agreement allows Big Sandy RECC to receive its requested 3.7 percent increase in annual revenue. However, less of this increase will come from flat monthly customer charges and more will come from...
Golden Valley Electric Association Wind Farm Produces Power
Posted on Nov 1, 2012 in Energy Savings Programs, Project Development, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Golden Valley Electric Association Wind Farm Produces Power
The largest wind project in Alaska began producing power this week in a key milestone toward beginning commercial operation. The $93 million project called the Eva Creek Wind Farm near Healy, Alaska, is part of Golden Valley Electric Association’s (GVEA) plan to produce 20 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2014. The project is expected to produce 77 million...
NRECA Recommends Amendments to the USDA Efficiency Plan
Posted on Oct 9, 2012 in Energy Savings Programs, Innovation/Efficiency, Legislative & Politics | Comments Off on NRECA Recommends Amendments to the USDA Efficiency Plan
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) has announced its support for the proposed Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program, an Agriculture Department initiative that would fund electric coops to help rural residents with the upfront cost of energy-efficiency upgrades. However, the NRECA caveated this support with a recommendation that the program provide...
North Dakota’s Electricity Case against Minnesota Survives First Legal Challenge
Posted on Oct 3, 2012 in Climate Change, Energy Savings Programs, Environmental, Legislative & Politics, Litigation | Comments Off on North Dakota’s Electricity Case against Minnesota Survives First Legal Challenge
A federal judge has ruled that the state of North Dakota’s case against Minnesota can move forward, as North Dakota has a “plausible” claim that a 2007 Minnesota energy law is invalid due to preemption by federal law. Minnesota’s Next Generation Energy Act bars new coal-fired power plants in Minnesota and restricts out-of-state imports of new coal-based power generation unless the...
PSC Examines Smart Grid and Smart Meter Opportunities
Posted on Oct 2, 2012 in Energy Savings Programs, Innovation/Efficiency, Technology | Comments Off on PSC Examines Smart Grid and Smart Meter Opportunities
The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) is examining Smart Grid technologies, to include smart meters and electric prices that are tied to the time of usage, through an administrative proceeding. All electric utilities in Kentucky have been named as parties to the proceeding. For more on this story, including the complete list of utilities, click here.
CFC Annual Report Shows High Performance Among Coops
Posted on Sep 10, 2012 in Economic Downturn, Energy Savings Programs, Grid & Infrastructure | Comments Off on CFC Annual Report Shows High Performance Among Coops
Electric coops performed well against a backdrop of challenging economic times in 2011, according to the G&T Key Performance Indicators (KPI) report by the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC). Energy sales and peak growth slowed in 2011, while wholesale rates continued to increase. The report shows that, over the last five years, the median G&T...
Coop to Fund Energy Optimization Plan Through Retirement of Capital Credits
Posted on Aug 31, 2012 in Energy Savings Programs | Comments Off on Coop to Fund Energy Optimization Plan Through Retirement of Capital Credits
In a recent order issued by the Michigan Public Service Commission, Cherryland Electric Cooperative received approval for its energy optimization plan. According to its July 30, 2012, application, the coop plans to retire some of each participating member’s capital credits to fund the energy optimization efforts. See the order for more on the coop’s program and funding...
NRECA Lobbies to Avoid Fee on Smart Meters
Posted on Aug 23, 2012 in Energy Savings Programs, Innovation/Efficiency, Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on NRECA Lobbies to Avoid Fee on Smart Meters
In early August 2012, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) argued before the Federal Communications Commission that electric cooperatives should not be required to pay a federal fee on smart meters and smart grid technologies. The fee would go to the Universal Service Fund, which was established to provide universal telecommunications service. Click here for...
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