Government Push for Grid Upgrades Receives Pushback from Coops
Posted on Jul 19, 2012 in Grid & Infrastructure, Rates, Regulation & Policy, Reliability, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Government Push for Grid Upgrades Receives Pushback from Coops
Several Montana-based coops called on the Secretary of the Department of Energy to withdraw a federal plan to upgrade portions of the nation’s power grid. The plan aims to move more renewable energy from rural areas like Montana to load centers like those found in California. The coops fear that the costs to modernize the grid will unfairly fall to rural communities, resulting in...
Utility Industry Groups Sue Over FERC Demand Rule
Posted on Jul 16, 2012 in Environmental, Grid & Infrastructure, Litigation, Regulation & Policy, Reliability | Comments Off on Utility Industry Groups Sue Over FERC Demand Rule
Utility industry groups are claiming that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) exceeded its regulatory power when it introduced the compensation policy for power demand resources. The final rule allows demand response providers to receive the same compensation as conventional power plants, regardless of the type of power generated. The Electric Power Supply Association...
Oklahoma Coop Puts 18-Mile Transmission Line and Substation into Service
Posted on Jul 12, 2012 in Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Project Development | Comments Off on Oklahoma Coop Puts 18-Mile Transmission Line and Substation into Service
Western Farmers Electric Cooperative, an Oklahoma coop, in conjunction with ITC Great Plains LLC, has energized its Hugo-Valliant high-voltage electric transmission line and substation. The 18-mile, 345,000-volt line and 345 kV/138 kV substation are located in southeastern Oklahoma. The Sacramento Bee has additional details.
FERC Transmission Rule Source of Controversy
Posted on Jul 12, 2012 in Financing, Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Litigation, Mergers/Acquisitions, Regulation & Policy, Reliability, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on FERC Transmission Rule Source of Controversy
An investor-owned utility association, Edison Electric Institute, has requested that a federal court review the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) controversial rule meant to spur new transmission investment. The rule requires utilities to create regional plans and a framework for cost allocation. The rule also introduces competitive bidding and new compliance...
Colorado Coop Rebuilds After Fire Losses
Posted on Jul 12, 2012 in Grid & Infrastructure, Reliability | Comments Off on Colorado Coop Rebuilds After Fire Losses
Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association, based in Fort Collins, Colorado, is now facing the daunting task of rebuilding a portion of its distribution system that the High Park fire destroyed. Worse yet, the coop recently completed a costly reliability update on this distribution system. The coop estimates it could take four to six weeks and more than $3.5 million to repair the...
CFC Funds Hydropower Plant 100 Years in the Making
Posted on Jul 5, 2012 in Environmental, Financing, Grid & Infrastructure, Project Development, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on CFC Funds Hydropower Plant 100 Years in the Making
Delta-Montrose Electric Association, based in Colorado, has broken ground on a hydropower plant whose plans date back to a visit from President William Taft in 1909. The $22 million in CREB financing will help pay for interest expenses for the plant. Natural Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) applied for the CREBs on Delta-Montrose’s behalf in 2009. The CFC...
Coop Reaches Deal with Tribe on Easement
Posted on Jun 29, 2012 in Grid & Infrastructure, Land Use | Comments Off on Coop Reaches Deal with Tribe on Easement
Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative and the Ohkay Owingeh Tribe are seeking approval from the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission on a deal allowing the coop to maintain its infrastructure on tribal land for 25 years at a cost of $11.25 million. The negotiated agreement ends a previous arrangement that was largely based on oral agreements between the parties. The coop says it...
Colorado Coop Rebuilds During Ongoing Fire
Posted on Jun 25, 2012 in Environmental, Grid & Infrastructure | Comments Off on Colorado Coop Rebuilds During Ongoing Fire
Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association is assessing fire damage and recovery efforts in the face of an ongoing wildfire that has burned more than 68,200 acres and destroyed 189 homes through June 21. Nearly 2,000 firefighters from several states are on the ground trying to control the fire which has caused nearly $20 million in damage. About 700 of the coop’s nearly 36,000 meters...
North Dakota Coop to Open Natural Gas Plant
Posted on Jun 18, 2012 in Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Project Development, Technology | Comments Off on North Dakota Coop to Open Natural Gas Plant
Basin Electric Power Cooperative, based in Bismarck, North Dakota, recently started work on a natural gas-fueled plant being built about 15 miles northwest of Williston. Project manager Myron Steckler says the new plant will be capable of generating 45 megawatts of power. The coop hopes to have the new facility operating by early 2013. Bloomberg BusinessWeek has the full...
Energy Secretary Urged to Consult Coops Over Hydropower Reform
Posted on Jun 13, 2012 in Grid & Infrastructure, Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Energy Secretary Urged to Consult Coops Over Hydropower Reform
Energy Secretary Steven Chu is being urged by 166 members of Congress to consult coops and utilities before reforming the four agencies that oversee the nation’s hydropower marketing: the Bonneville Power Administration, the Southeastern Power Administration, the Southwestern Power Administration and the Western Area Power Administration. The proposed reforms largely target the...
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