USDA Announces Funding for Infrastructure Projects
Posted on Apr 22, 2015 in Financing, Project Development, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on USDA Announces Funding for Infrastructure Projects
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced $72 million in funding for six electric infrastructure projects, including several projects being developed by rural electric cooperatives. The projects include a transmission project in Kansas being developed by Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative, transmission and other system improvements by Broad River Electric...
USDA Extends Another $31 Million in Federal Loans and Grants to Electric Cooperatives
Posted on Apr 17, 2015 in Financing, Legislative & Politics, Project Development | Comments Off on USDA Extends Another $31 Million in Federal Loans and Grants to Electric Cooperatives
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced the extension of $31 million more in loans and grants to electric cooperatives in 12 states under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) Program. The USDA’s REDLG program extends zero-interest loans and grants to utilities, which then lend the funds to local businesses for job-creating projects in rural areas....
Mohave Electric Cooperative Serves Members with New Solar Facility
Posted on Apr 13, 2015 in Financing, Project Development, Renewable Energy, Tax | Comments Off on Mohave Electric Cooperative Serves Members with New Solar Facility
Arizona’s Mohave Electric Cooperative (MEC) is now purchasing power from a new utility-grade solar facility to supply its members with renewable power. The facility is currently owned by a private developer, whose appetite for the associated tax credits improved the economics of the deal for MEC and its members, and will be owned by MEC when the tax credits have been exhausted. Click...
Appalachian Regional Commission Awards $500,000 Grant to Rural Electric Cooperative for Solar Project
Posted on Apr 9, 2015 in Climate Change, Environmental, Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Legislative & Politics, Project Development, Renewable Energy, Technology | Comments Off on Appalachian Regional Commission Awards $500,000 Grant to Rural Electric Cooperative for Solar Project
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe recently announced the grant of $500,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission ARC) to the BARC Electric Cooperative (BARCEC). The grant will help fund a new solar facility and learning center in rural Appalachia. The facility will produce between 250 and 350 kilowatts of electricity—enough to provide power to approximately 60 residential...
Capacity for Distributed Energy Storage Expected to Increase Dramatically by 2018
Posted on Apr 8, 2015 in Grid & Infrastructure, Project Development, Reliability, Renewable Energy, Technology | Comments Off on Capacity for Distributed Energy Storage Expected to Increase Dramatically by 2018
A recent report by Navigant Research suggests that the capacity distributed energy storage systems (DESS) will grow 10-fold by 2018. Worldwide DESS capacity is expected to grow to 2.4 GW from the current level of 276 MW, and revenues from DESS are expected to be greater than $16.5 billion by 2024. Research indicates the boom is being generated by improved technologies, including...
EPA Proposes Costly New Water Regulations
Posted on Mar 25, 2015 in Climate Change, Environmental, Land Use, Legislative & Politics, Permitting, Project Development, Regulation & Policy, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on EPA Proposes Costly New Water Regulations
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed new water regulations which would increase costs and require extensive permitting for power line construction and maintenance. At a hearing on the proposed rules, Russ Biggica of the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association warned Congress that the rules would drive up costs for cooperatives, including the cost of renewable energy...
Renewables Top Fossil Fuels in Generation Growth
Posted on Mar 17, 2015 in Grid & Infrastructure, Project Development, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Renewables Top Fossil Fuels in Generation Growth
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s latest Electric Power Monthly report, in 2014 increases in wind and solar generation outpaced traditional fossil fuel generation growth. Net generation of wind increased roughly 14 million MW hours and net generation of commercial-scale solar grew by approximately 9 million MW hours. To read more about this story, please...
Minnesota Supreme Court Upholds Strict Interpretation of State’s “Buy the Farm” Law
Posted on Mar 9, 2015 in Grid & Infrastructure, Land Use, Legislative & Politics, Litigation, Project Development | Comments Off on Minnesota Supreme Court Upholds Strict Interpretation of State’s “Buy the Farm” Law
Great River Energy will be required to purchase 218.85 acres of land on which it will construct transmission lines, rather than the 8.86 acre strip it wished to purchase, a recent Minnesota Supreme Court decision held. The decision was based on the state’s “Buy the Farm” statue, which requires utility companies to buy out property owners upon request when building power lines. Click...
Basin Electric Focuses on Long-Term Needs as Oil and Gas Prices Remain Low
Posted on Feb 12, 2015 in Grid & Infrastructure, Project Development | Comments Off on Basin Electric Focuses on Long-Term Needs as Oil and Gas Prices Remain Low
Basin Electric Power Cooperative (Basin Electric) continues to focus on the long-term needs of its members, particularly those active in the Bakken oil and gas fields, as oil and gas prices remain low. Energy price declines remain ongoing, but Basin Electric is looking at new projects to ensure reliable service to the region for the foreseeable future. Click here to read more.
Arkansas Electric Plans to Build State’s Largest Solar Farm
Posted on Feb 9, 2015 in Project Development, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Arkansas Electric Plans to Build State’s Largest Solar Farm
Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (Arkansas Electric) has signed an agreement to build what will be the largest solar farm in the State of Arkansas. Silicon Ranch Corporation will build and manage the facility, which will be located on a 100-acre parcel in East Camden. The facility’s 12-megawatt output will power a manufacturing facility as well as 2,400 single-family homes. ...
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