Construction to Begin at Silicon Ranch Solar Energy Plant in Georgia
Posted on Jan 14, 2016 in Climate Change, Environmental, Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Project Development, Renewable Energy, Technology | Comments Off on Construction to Begin at Silicon Ranch Solar Energy Plant in Georgia
Construction on Silicon Ranch’s new 52 MWac solar energy plant is set to begin on February 1. Once completed, the plant will occupy approximately 450 acres, employ more than 200 workers and will harness enough solar energy to power the homes of approximately 8,500 of Green Power EMC’s members.
Coal Prices and Production Down in 2015
Posted on Jan 13, 2016 in Economic Downturn, Grid & Infrastructure, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Coal Prices and Production Down in 2015
According to the Energy Information Administration, coal prices and production declined in 2015. The agency attributed this decline to low natural gas prices, lower demand and more environmental regulations.
Coops Repairing After Severe Storms
Posted on Jan 6, 2016 in Grid & Infrastructure, Reliability | Comments Off on Coops Repairing After Severe Storms
After severe ice storms in parts of Texas and Oklahoma and major flooding from Illinois to Arkansas, electric coops are facing weeks of repairs. As repairs to any damaged systems move forward, coops are continuing to monitor any conditions that could cause scattered outages.
NRECA Suggests Changes to Clean Power Plan’s “Safety Valve”
Posted on Jan 4, 2016 in Climate Change, Environmental, Grid & Infrastructure, Litigation, Regulation & Policy, Reliability | Comments Off on NRECA Suggests Changes to Clean Power Plan’s “Safety Valve”
The NRECA filed a petition on December 21 requesting that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) include a more robust “safety valve” in its Clean Power Plan to allow power providers relief from emissions standards in the event that those standards will have adverse effects on reliability. The EPA’s plan does include a “safety valve,” but the current structure may be insufficient...
Pipeline Seeks Service Territory Exception in State-Assigned Cooperative Territory
Posted on Dec 18, 2015 in Grid & Infrastructure, Permitting | Comments Off on Pipeline Seeks Service Territory Exception in State-Assigned Cooperative Territory
Despite being in the service territory for Northern Electric, a member-owned cooperative, Dakota Access, an oil pipeline, is seeking a service territory exception from the state Public Utilities Commission so that NorthWestern Energy can supply the power instead. The commission has already granted confidentiality to the proposed agreement between Dakota Access and NorthWestern...
Georgia EMC Adds Solar Power Facility
Posted on Dec 18, 2015 in Climate Change, Environmental, Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Technology | Comments Off on Georgia EMC Adds Solar Power Facility
Green Power EMC of Georgia (Green Power) has entered into a 25-year power purchase contract with Silicon Ranch Corporation (Silicon Ranch). Under the contract Green Power will purchase the full output of a Silicon Ranch solar project located in Jeff Davis County, Georgia. The Solar Project, which occupies 135 acres of land, contains 187,000 solar panels and is expected to produce...
Coal Generation in the U.S. Down More than Expected
Posted on Dec 3, 2015 in Grid & Infrastructure, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Coal Generation in the U.S. Down More than Expected
A survey conducted by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board, which was recently presented during a Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee hearing, shows that a coal-fired generation for a significant majority of utilities surveyed is below forecasted totals.
Coops Merge in Tennessee and Kentucky
Posted on Nov 20, 2015 in Grid & Infrastructure, Mergers/Acquisitions, Rates | Comments Off on Coops Merge in Tennessee and Kentucky
Members of Tennessee-based Gibson Electric Membership Corporation recently voted to approve a merger with Kentucky-based Hickman-Fulton Counties Rural Electric Cooperative. Gibson EMC president and CEO Dan Rodamaker reported that all employees would retain their jobs. The merger will save Hickman-Fulton members approximately $12.6 million over the next 10 years.
G&T Coop Set to Debut Major New Transmission Line
Posted on Oct 29, 2015 in Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Project Development | Comments Off on G&T Coop Set to Debut Major New Transmission Line
Basin Electric Power Cooperative is in the process of building an electric “super avenue” to help serve the Bakken formation. Although the area is not growing as fast as it once was, it will still continue to see increases in demand for electric service. The 340kv “super avenue” is a $350 million investment and will be critical to the ability of cooperatives to serve the Bakken in...
USDA Awards $2.3 Billion for Rural Electric Infrastructure Projects
Posted on Oct 23, 2015 in Financing, Grid & Infrastructure, Project Development, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on USDA Awards $2.3 Billion for Rural Electric Infrastructure Projects
The USDA is awarding $2.3 billion in loans through its USDA Rural Development’s Electric Program, which makes loans and loan guarantees to cooperative associates and other utilities for electric distribution in rural areas. Seventy-seven utilities and cooperatives in 31 states will receive loans to build and improve rural electric infrastructure in 31 states. Funding is contingent...
Subscribe
