Coal Ash Legislation Passes Senate
Posted on Sep 20, 2016 in Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Coal Ash Legislation Passes Senate
New coal ash legislation passed in the Senate recently in a 95-3 vote. The new legislation gives state agencies the authority to enforce federal regulation through state permits.
Department of Energy to Award $34MM for Cybersecurity Projects
Posted on Aug 19, 2016 in Financing, Regulation & Policy, Technology | Comments Off on Department of Energy to Award $34MM for Cybersecurity Projects
The U.S. Department of Energy announced its plan to award $34 million for projects aimed at developing technologies and tools to increase cyberattack protection for the country’s energy infrastructure. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is receiving funding for a technology that can quickly identify anomalies in utility control communications that can indicate cyber...
Electric Coops Fuel Rural Broadband Growth
Posted on Aug 9, 2016 in Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Electric Coops Fuel Rural Broadband Growth
Electric cooperatives are helping to bring high-speed internet access to rural areas. Today, about 40 electric coops offer or are in the process of building networks to provide high-speed internet service, compared with just one in 2010.
EPA Denies Request to Reconsider MATS Startup-Shutdown Rules
Posted on Aug 9, 2016 in Environmental, Litigation, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on EPA Denies Request to Reconsider MATS Startup-Shutdown Rules
Last Friday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) denied a petition filed by environmental groups requesting that the EPA reconsider changes it had made to its Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule. The specific regulations at issue, which are now final, allowed certain operators of plants more flexibility in compliance monitoring and testing during startup and...
Missouri Coop Selected for USDA Small Business Program
Posted on Jul 19, 2016 in Financing, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Missouri Coop Selected for USDA Small Business Program
Bourbon, Missouri-based Crawford Electric Cooperative has been selected to participate in a USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program. Through the REDLG program, the USDA makes interest free loans to utilities that they in turn lend to local businesses to promote employment and growth in their communities.
Environmental Compliance Costs Rise above $6 Billion
Posted on Jul 12, 2016 in Environmental, Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Environmental Compliance Costs Rise above $6 Billion
The Energy Information Administration reports that power plant operators nationwide have spent at least $6.1 billion to comply with new environmental regulations, including the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard. Operators have also retired 20 gigawatts of coal generation capacity during the period from January 2015 through April 2016.
Appellate Court Upholds FERC Ruling Regarding “Right of First Refusal”
Posted on Jul 8, 2016 in Litigation, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Appellate Court Upholds FERC Ruling Regarding “Right of First Refusal”
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld a rule preventing utilities from relying on a “right of first refusal” for transmission projects in Southwest Power Pool’s region, opening up competitive bidding. Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co. and other utilities sued the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in December 2014, arguing that it gave up some transmission...
FAA Relaxes Drone Rules; Caution Urged for Coops
Posted on Jun 28, 2016 in Innovation/Efficiency, Regulation & Policy, Technology | Comments Off on FAA Relaxes Drone Rules; Caution Urged for Coops
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has relaxed rules on commercial use of drones weighing less than 55 pounds. The NRECA is urging caution for coops interested in utilizing the new technology.
NRECA Names Former U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson New CEO
Posted on Jun 14, 2016 in Legislative & Politics, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on NRECA Names Former U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson New CEO
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) has announced that former U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson has been selected to serve as NRECA’s sixth chief executive officer. He will join the association and assume his duties as CEO in July.
Clean Power Plan to Rush Need for Infrastructure
Posted on Jun 10, 2016 in Grid & Infrastructure, Regulation & Policy, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Clean Power Plan to Rush Need for Infrastructure
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has forecasted that by 2030 the Clean Power Plan will boost renewable resources 10-20 gigawatts and coal capacity will fall by as much as 27 gigawatts. This shift will accelerate the need for more transmission and pipeline infrastructure, with most new gas generation in the North and Southeast, and most wind power in the...
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