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NRECA, Electric Coops, DOE Collaborate on Solar Energy

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), 15 electric cooperatives in a dozen states and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are collaborating on a jointly funded project called the SunShot Initiative, which is aimed at bringing down the cost of utility-scale solar projects by controlling the costs of labor, procurement and materials through standardization.  NRECA’s...

Industrial Standards Group Rejects Limits on Water Heaters

In a victory for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and electric coops, an industrial standards organization has rejected water heater restrictions that could have cost coop members millions of dollars.  The International Code Council voted down water heater limits recommended by the Natural Resources Defense Council at its code hearing in early October.  As a result,...

NRECA Receives $3.6 Million Cyber Security Grant

The Department of Energy recently awarded the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) a $3.6 million grant to be used to develop advanced cyber security technology to assist rural cooperatives in monitoring and securely managing their systems from changing threats.  NRECA will work with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Carnegie Mellon University, Honeywell...

Coop Action Plan for EPA Regs

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) plans to enlist the support of electric coops and their members nationwide to deal with proposed regulations for future power plants that are built.  The new Cooperative Action Network website seeks to organize this movement.  NRECA will seek coop input as it develops comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s...

Coop Industry Group Seeks Reconsideration of Wastewater Rule

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) has asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reconsider its proposed guidelines for wastewater discharges from coal generation.  According to NRECA, the EPA should carefully consider the cost effectiveness of the pending effluent limitations guidelines and especially their potential impact on smaller power...

NRECA Voices Concern Over Proposed EPA Startup and Shutdown Rule

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) voiced concerns that some cooperatives may not be able to satisfy, in a timely manner, the new rule on startup and shutdown of coal-based generation designed to limit emissions of hazardous air pollutants.  Among other concerns, NRECA called for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to consider how compliance with the...

Coop Reporting Rules Modified by RUS

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) reportedly plans to remove disincentives to electric coop participation in relending activities that involve rural development loan programs and energy efficiency.  This move is in response to a request by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association that coop participation in certain loan and relending programs not lead to procedures that would...

NRECA Forming Cyber Security Task Force

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) is forming a task force to ensure that coops’ needs are met when cyber security regulations and legislation take shape and require coops to take responsibility for safeguarding their operations.  The NRECA Cyber Security Task Force will focus on the implementation of cyber security standards by the North American Electric...

USDA Announces $11 Million in Loan Guarantees for Smart Grid Improvements

At a recent regional meeting of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack highlighted the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) funding of projects across eight states, including $11 million in loan guarantees for smart grid improvements.  See the USDA press release for a complete list of projects.

Coops Urge EPA to Accept Wyoming’s Haze Pollution Plan

If coops and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association get their way, Wyoming’s plan to control haze from the power sector will be fully approved as compliant with federal law.  Comments submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) argue that Wyoming’s approach is reasonable, and electric coop consumer-members would pay more than necessary if the EPA goes forth with...

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