New Geothermal Plant on Horizon for California Coop
Posted on Jun 5, 2014 in Energy Savings Programs, Financing, Land Use, Project Development | Comments Off on New Geothermal Plant on Horizon for California Coop
Surprise Valley Electrification Corp. is nearing completion of a 3-MW geothermal power plant project that began in 2009. With financing from the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, federal grants and state tax credits, the new facility will provide power, cooled water and heat to local consumers. Read more here.
Senate Agriculture Committee Raises Concerns about Proposed RUS Environmental Regulation
Posted on May 28, 2014 in Environmental, Financing, Legislative & Politics, Patronage Capital, Regulation & Policy, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Senate Agriculture Committee Raises Concerns about Proposed RUS Environmental Regulation
In its report accompanying spending legislation for fiscal year 2015, the Senate Agriculture Committee has directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development office to provide a report on the impact of a controversial regulation proposed by the USDA. The regulation at issue would reclassify all loan transactions for Rural Utilities Service (RUS) borrowers as “major...
Massachusetts Coop Gets Additional Funding
Posted on May 22, 2014 in Financing, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Massachusetts Coop Gets Additional Funding
With a grant of $403,455, Cape & Vineyard Electric Cooperative recently received its final piece of financial support thanks to the Cape Light Compact. The coop was formed in 2007 with a focus on renewables and has nearly 29 MW of solar energy projects either online or under construction. For more information, click here.
RUS Electric Loan Program at Risk?
Posted on May 14, 2014 in Environmental, Financing, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on RUS Electric Loan Program at Risk?
Electric coops that borrow from the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) could face unprecedented new requirements if a proposed federal rule is approved. The rule, proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Agency, would reclassify many common activities associated with RUS loans in a way that triggers federally required environmental reviews, in addition to the...
USDA Announces New Rural Development Funding
Posted on May 9, 2014 in Financing, Grid & Infrastructure, Technology | Comments Off on USDA Announces New Rural Development Funding
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced funding of $540 million in loan guarantees to fund improvements to the rural electric system, including more than $35 million for smart grid projects. Awards for 2014 are contingent upon the recipients satisfying the terms of the applicable loan agreements. To read more about this story, click here.
U.S. Supreme Court Resuscitates EPA’s Cross-State Air Rule
Posted on Apr 29, 2014 in Climate Change, Financing, Litigation | Comments Off on U.S. Supreme Court Resuscitates EPA’s Cross-State Air Rule
The U.S. Supreme Court resurrected the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulation of air pollution crossing state borders through its 6-2 ruling in favor of the EPA, downwind states, and public health and environmental groups. The Court ruled that the government did not violate the Clean Air Act when it implemented a federal scheme for emissions that drift over state lines. ...
Minnesota Coop Planning New Community Solar Garden
Posted on Apr 28, 2014 in Energy Savings Programs, Financing, Grid & Infrastructure, Project Development, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Minnesota Coop Planning New Community Solar Garden
Connexus Energy (Connexus), a distribution cooperative based in Ramsey, Minnesota, is planning to develop a community solar garden consisting of 792 panels with an output of 245 kW. Connexus customers will be given an opportunity to invest in financing the project in exchange for a proportional share of the output for 20 years. Click here for more.
USDA Announces $150 Million Investment Fund to Grow Small Businesses in Rural America
Posted on Apr 22, 2014 in Financing | Comments Off on USDA Announces $150 Million Investment Fund to Grow Small Businesses in Rural America
Together with eight Farm Credit entities, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the creation of a new $150 million investment fund that will facilitate private equity investments in agriculture-related businesses. This new fund, known as the Advantage Capital Agribusiness Fund, is the first of its kind. It will develop a balanced and diversified portfolio of junior...
SMECO Plans Another Solar Project
Posted on Apr 17, 2014 in Financing, Project Development, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on SMECO Plans Another Solar Project
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) recently announced a new 20-year power purchase agreement under which it will purchase the full output of the planned 10-MW Rockfish Solar Facility. As it did with several previous projects, SMECO teamed up with the National Renewables Cooperative Organization to request project proposals and evaluate bidders. Click here for more...
Colorado Coop’s Energy Audit REAPs Success
Posted on Apr 10, 2014 in Energy Savings Programs, Financing, Innovation/Efficiency | Comments Off on Colorado Coop’s Energy Audit REAPs Success
Gunnison County Electric Association used a grant from the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to implement an energy audit program for local small businesses. The program ran from 2010-2012 and demonstrated how important low energy costs can be for small businesses. REAP offers cost-sharing grants and loan guarantees. Two additional REAP funding announcements are expected in...
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