Eversheds Sutherland Coop Law Blog
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Dairyland to Construct New Long-Range Transmission

Dairyland Power Cooperative announced plans to build a 354 kV transmission line from Blair to Alma. The work is part of a 150-mile long-range transmission project in southern Minnesota.
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Alabama Cooperatives Receive Grants to Build Broadband

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will administer $188 million in grants to expand high-speed internet in the state. Beneficiaries include Central Alabama Electric Cooperative, Cullman Electric Cooperative, Joe Wheeler Electric Membership Corp., and Tombigbee Electric Cooperative.
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Flathead Electric Cooperative Concerned Over Removal of Dams

Officials from Flathead Electric Cooperative, the second largest electricity provider in Montana, warn of an energy crisis if the Biden administration proceeds with plans to remove four dams on the lower Snake River. The co-op contends that this could increase electricity rates, as the dams contribute around 1,004 megawatts each year to the region. The proposal to remove the dams is part of negotiations addressing tribal treaty rights to a viable salmon fishery, but local officials and lawmakers express concerns about the economic impact and transparency of the plan.
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Biden Administration to Provide $1.5 Billion for Palisades Nuclear Restart

In February, the Biden administration is expected to announce $1.5 billion in funding for the Palisades nuclear project. The funding from the Biden administration is part of the government’s $6 billion Civil Nuclear Credit Program announced in 2021.
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NRECA Urges Expansion of Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association urged congress to increase minimum requirements for uplink standards to empower electric cooperatives to compete with larger ISPs for BEAD grants. At least 200 of the 900 electric cooperatives are providing some form of broadband service to members, and cooperatives are among the fastest growing set of broadband providers.
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NRECA Backs the Distribution Transformer Efficiency and Supply Chain Reliability Act of 2024

NRECA is supporting the Distribution Transformer Efficiency and Supply Chain Reliability Act of 2024, a bipartisan Senate bill that would require all distribution transformer cores to be made with amorphous steel by as early as 2027, increasing efficiencies and reducing wait times for electric cooperatives to receive the transformers. The current average wait time for a distribution transformer is two years, double the wait time prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Kentucky Lawmakers Form Caucus to Advocate for Electric Cooperative Consumers

Kentucky lawmakers have formed a bipartisan caucus to advocate for the interests of electric cooperative consumers.
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NRECA Part of Coalition Encouraging Congress to Provide Electrical Grid Funding

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is part of a coalition of energy, manufacturing, and homebuilding groups encouraging the Senate to include $1.2 billion in funding for distribution transformers and other electric grid components in its energy and water spending bill.
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Dairyland Power Cooperative, Minnesota Power, and Basin Electric Cooperative Receive Second RUS Approval for Nemadji Trail Energy Center Project

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has again issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC) project, a 625-MW combined-cycle natural gas facility along with a 345-kilovolt transmission line, relocation of an existing gas pipeline, and construction of a new gas pipeline to tap an existing gas supply network, despite calls from several Indigenous tribes to deny the funding requests of Dairyland Power Cooperative, Minnesota Power, and Basin Electric Cooperative for more than three years. The Wisconsin Project is expected...
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JACKSON EMC NAMED HIGHEST IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

Jackson Electric Membership Corporation has been ranked highest in customer satisfaction among electric cooperatives by the J.D. Power 2023 Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study, receiving a score of 794 out of a possible 1,000.
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Maryland Cooperative Awarded Contract

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative Inc., was recently awarded a 50-year contract for the ownership, operation and maintenance of the electric utility system at Naval Support Facility in Indian Head, Maryland. The contract is valued at an estimated $117,004,772.
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Basin Electric Power Cooperative Appoints Brickhouse as CEO and General Manager

The board of Basin Electric Power Cooperative has appointed Todd Brickhouse as the new CEO and general manager, following his interim role since July. Brickhouse, who initially joined as Senior Vice President and CFO in June 2022, brings 21 years of experience from Old Dominion Electric Cooperative. Basin Electric, based in Bismarck, serves 141 member rural electric systems across nine states, distributing electricity to around 3 million customers.
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Cryptocurrency Farm Allegedly Steals Energy from Minnesota Cooperative

North Star Electric Cooperative, a northern Minnesota power cooperative, recently filed a lawsuit against two individuals from Roseau, Minnesota for allegedly tampering with power lines to divert stolen energy to power their two bitcoin farms. The cooperative became aware of the alleged theft after noticing substantial and unexplained power losses in the summer of 2022. North Star is seeking damages of more than $50,000.
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Missouri Co-Op Wins Bid for Serving Meatpacking Plant

Cuivre River Electric Cooperative overcame an investor-owned utility to secure the opportunity to serve an $800 million meatpacking plant in Missouri. The co-op showcased its agility, competitive rates, and strong community ties, ultimately winning the bid for the state-of-the-art facility with significant economic impact.
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