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Eighth Circuit to Decide Dispute Between Minnesota and North Dakota Over Coal-Generated Electricity Regulations

The states of North Dakota and Minnesota are involved in a dispute over Minnesota regulations restricting new coal-based power generation.  North Dakota challenged the law in the federal district court arguing that the law violates the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution because of its effect on out-of-state utilities.  North Dakota won at the district court level, but Minnesota...

90 Miles of CapX2020 Transmission Line Energized

Owners of the CapX2020 project, including Dairyland Power Cooperative, recently celebrated the energization of approximately 90 miles of newly completed transmission line segments located in Wisconsin and Minnesota.  The CapX2020 project is a major transmission project which represents part of the largest expansion of transmission in the Upper Midwest region in decades and is expected...

Arkansas Electric Joins in Cyber Attack Prevention Research

Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (Arkansas Electric) has teamed up with researchers from five universities in an effort to ensure increased security for the nation’s electric power grid.  Arkansas Electric will serve as an industry partner to researchers working in conjunction with the Department of Energy Center for Securing Electric Energy Delivery Systems.

Solar Shortages Threaten Cooperative Utility Projects

Shortages of solar panel equipment are expected in 2016, with lead times of up to six months for larger orders.  Dan Danley, contract technical liaison with NRECA’s Business and Technology Strategies unit, has been warning utilities to plan ahead to avoid solar project delays.  The projected shortages are the result of increased demand for solar equipment driven in part by a 30 percent...

Appalachian Electric Cooperative Set to Begin New Solar Project in Fall

Appalachian Electric Cooperative is set to begin construction of a new 1.373-megawatt “community solar” facility this fall.  The facility will include 9,468 photovoltaic cells that will generate enough renewable electricity to power approximately 115 homes for an entire year.  The new project will be funded in part by a grant from the Tennessee Valley Authority and is one of only two...

Coop Adds Landfill Gas Generation to its Renewable Portfolio

Hoosier Energy (Hoosier), a Bloomington, Indiana G&T, will be partnering with a local landfill operator to develop a renewable energy facility.  The facility will use landfill methane to fuel engines that will produce 4 megawatts of electricity.  The project, which will be Hoosier’s fourth landfill methane facility, will provide an additional source of renewable power to Hoosier’s...

Large USDA Loan Awarded to North Dakota Electric Coop

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a $46 million loan to Central Power Electric Cooperative (CPEC).  The loan will help finance over 50 miles of new power lines and several substations.  CPEC serves over 50,000 customers in 25 North Dakota counties.  Please click here for more information.

Oklahoma Coop Brings in More Solar Energy

Tri-County Electric Cooperative (Tri-County) has reached an agreement with Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AEC) by which AEC will supply Tri-County with a one-megawatt solar array.  Tri-County members who participate in its new community solar program will be able to purchase electricity generated by the solar array.  Click here to read more.

NRECA Publishes Negative Impact of EPA’s Plan

The National Rural Electric Cooperative (NRECA) created a webpage whereby it shows the nationwide coal plant closures and harmful economic impact that will result from the EPA’s Clean Power Plan (Plan), disproportionately affecting rural coop consumer members.  Read more about NRECA’s opposition to the Plan here.

Bonneville Power Administration’s Rate Increase to Hit Coops

Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) recently announced that it will raise its wholesale power rates by 7.1 percent and its transmission rates by 4.4 percent, effective October 1.  BPA, a federal agency and the largest wholesale provider in the northwestern United States, supplies wholesale power to 54 electric cooperatives.  Click here for more.

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