USDA to Fund Electric System Improvements in Rural Areas
Posted on Jul 16, 2014 in Financing, Grid & Infrastructure, Reliability, Technology | Comments Off on USDA to Fund Electric System Improvements in Rural Areas
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it will invest more than $250 million in loan proceeds to help improve the reliability of electric systems in rural areas in eight states. A portion of the funds will be used to modernize the systems with smart grid improvements. To read more about this story, please click here.
USDA Loans and Grants Given to Coops
Posted on Jun 11, 2014 in Financing | Comments Off on USDA Loans and Grants Given to Coops
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program has awarded $22.5 million in loans and grants to organizations in nine states to promote rural economic development. The USDA provides these zero-interest loans and grants to utilities that lend funds to local businesses for projects to create and retain employment in rural areas. The...
Senate Agriculture Committee Raises Concerns about Proposed RUS Environmental Regulation
Posted on May 28, 2014 in Environmental, Financing, Legislative & Politics, Patronage Capital, Regulation & Policy, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Senate Agriculture Committee Raises Concerns about Proposed RUS Environmental Regulation
In its report accompanying spending legislation for fiscal year 2015, the Senate Agriculture Committee has directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development office to provide a report on the impact of a controversial regulation proposed by the USDA. The regulation at issue would reclassify all loan transactions for Rural Utilities Service (RUS) borrowers as “major...
RUS Electric Loan Program at Risk?
Posted on May 14, 2014 in Environmental, Financing, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on RUS Electric Loan Program at Risk?
Electric coops that borrow from the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) could face unprecedented new requirements if a proposed federal rule is approved. The rule, proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Agency, would reclassify many common activities associated with RUS loans in a way that triggers federally required environmental reviews, in addition to the...
USDA Announces New Rural Development Funding
Posted on May 9, 2014 in Financing, Grid & Infrastructure, Technology | Comments Off on USDA Announces New Rural Development Funding
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced funding of $540 million in loan guarantees to fund improvements to the rural electric system, including more than $35 million for smart grid projects. Awards for 2014 are contingent upon the recipients satisfying the terms of the applicable loan agreements. To read more about this story, click here.
USDA Announces $150 Million Investment Fund to Grow Small Businesses in Rural America
Posted on Apr 22, 2014 in Financing | Comments Off on USDA Announces $150 Million Investment Fund to Grow Small Businesses in Rural America
Together with eight Farm Credit entities, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the creation of a new $150 million investment fund that will facilitate private equity investments in agriculture-related businesses. This new fund, known as the Advantage Capital Agribusiness Fund, is the first of its kind. It will develop a balanced and diversified portfolio of junior...
EKPC to Purchase Methane for Power Generation
Posted on Apr 14, 2014 in Renewable Energy | Comments Off on EKPC to Purchase Methane for Power Generation
A landfill near Glasgow, Kentucky, is leasing land and selling methane gas to East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC). The coop plans to construct a power generation facility that will use the methane to generate enough energy to power approximately 500 homes. The facility is being developed and constructed with a combination of grants from state and local programs as well as a loan...
Illinois Coop Launches New Solar Facility
Posted on Mar 11, 2014 in Legislative & Politics, Project Development, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Illinois Coop Launches New Solar Facility
Illinois Rural Electric Cooperative recently opened a new 500-kW solar facility. Consisting of 2,223 panels across four acres, the solar farm is the first utility-scale photovoltaic facility run by a cooperative in the state. Of the project’s $1.8 million total cost, over $900,000 came from federal and state grants, given through the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for...
Coops Urge EPA to Expand Uses of Coal Ash Considered Safe
Posted on Feb 25, 2014 in Environmental, Legislative & Politics, Rates, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Coops Urge EPA to Expand Uses of Coal Ash Considered Safe
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has already recognized the benefits of certain uses of coal ash, and electric coops are now asking the EPA to conclude that it is safe for other uses. John Novak, Executive Director for Environmental Issues for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, has stated that the EPA “can do more to promote other beneficial uses of...
Latest Round of USDA Loans Announced
Posted on Jan 30, 2014 in Financing, Project Development, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on Latest Round of USDA Loans Announced
As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program, $13.9 million in loans and grants have been approved for electric coops spanning eight states. The funds are intended to stimulate job growth and spark economic development in rural areas. Read more here.
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