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Kentucky Coop Seeks Proposals for Alternative Energy Sources

East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) is seeking proposals for electric-generating resources to replace power plants that could be shut down when the federal Mercury and Air Toxics Standards take effect in 2015.  As a result of the new regulations, EKPC is facing the possibility of replacing some large coal-fueled units.  Proposals are due by Aug. 30, 2012, and EKPC expects agreements...

DOE Extends $8 Billion Loan Guarantee for Nuclear Plant

The Department of Energy has extended its conditional commitment to the end of the year to provide an $8.3 billion federal loan guarantee to help finance the nuclear expansion of Plant Vogtle in Georgia.  Southern Company officials initially said the agreement would be finalized by the end of June.  Southern Company subsidiary Georgia Power Company and nuclear partners Oglethorpe Power...

Construction Begins on 250-Mile Transmission Line in North Dakota

Construction began this week on Minnkota Power Cooperative’s $312 million, 250-mile transmission line, which will run from Center to Grand Forks, North Dakota.  The 345-kilovolt transmission line is the longest line built in North Dakota in more than 30 years and should be completed by the end of 2013.  The line will deliver coal-fired power from a plant near Center, which will allow...

Update on Wisconsin Transmission Project

As expected, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin approved a new high-voltage power line that is designed to reduce grid congestion in the Midwest power grid.  The Journal Sentinel has more on the project and the approval.

Wisconsin Regulators to Decide on Transmission Project

At a meeting Thursday, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin was expected to decide whether to approve a power line that would run between Alma and Holmen in western Wisconsin.  Northern States Power Company, Dairyland Power Cooperative and WPPI Energy are all working on this $234 million project.  Read more here.

Kentucky Coop Files Request to Join PJM

East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) is seeking approval from the Kentucky Public Service Commission to join PJM Interconnection (PJM), a regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in 13 states and the District of Columbia.  Citing operational and regulatory constraints, EKPC says PJM membership would allow for more efficient and...

Rural Coops to Receive Millions in Loans to Improve Infrastructure and Install Smart Grid Technologies

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that rural electric coops in 10 states will receive loans, worth $334 million total, to install smart grid technologies and make improvements to their facilities.  The loans will be provided by the USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service.  The new funding includes almost $20 million to install smart grid technologies.  In...

SMECO Ready to Construct Transmission Project

The Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) announced it anticipates breaking ground on a $100 million transmission project this May, which will feature upgraded line poles able to carry more power with a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.  Developers expect a project in-service date of March 2015.  Click here for the full story.

Minnesota Coops to Test Smart-Grid Technology

Three Minnesota cooperatives (Great River Energy, Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative and Lake Region Electric Cooperative) are participating in a $5 million demonstration project to pay for new smart-grid software in attempts to smooth (and track) their customers’ demand.  The Minneapolis Star-Tribune has more on the story.

Montana Senators Seek Upgrades to State’s Power Grid

Two Montana senators, Max Baucus and Jon Tester, are asking U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu to create a timeline for implementing upgrades to the state’s power grid in order to aid cooperatives.  The plan, if implemented, would affect the Bonneville Power Administration and the Western Area Power Administration, which serve electric coops that provide electricity to more than...

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