New ERA Project Announcements

1803 Electric Cooperative, Inc.

This $45 million New ERA investment will be used for 1803 Electric Cooperative, Inc. to procure approximately 245 megawatts of renewable energy from solar facilities in rural Louisiana. This project will provide enough power for 35,000 rural households each year. 

This project will create over a dozen short and long-term jobs, stabilize costs to rural cooperative members, and reduce climate pollution by over 572,000 tons each year. These projects will reduce greenhouse gas pollution equivalent to over 135,000 gasoline-powered cars annually.  

The grant will help 1803 will be able to maintain rate stability while reducing exposure to fuel volatility. This reduces the likelihood of sudden price increases for their member cooperatives. 

Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc.

The $20.5 million New ERA grant award to Allegheny Electric Cooperative will reduce costs for rural people across Pennsylvania while securing reliable clean energy. Through the purchase of 25-megawatts of clean energy, approximately 220,000 rural households in Pennsylvania and New Jersey will receive affordable clean energy through Allegheny’s 14-member electric distribution cooperatives.

Not only will the New ERA award lower costs for rural households in Pennsylvania, but it will also make Allegheny a leader in combating climate change and reducing pollution, with over 80 percent of its power coming from carbon-free resources by 2026. This will mean a reduction in climate pollution by nearly 100,000 tons annually, or the equivalent of providing enough electricity for nearly 18,000 homes annually. This Biden-Harris Administration New ERA opportunity to invest in more affordable, clean energy resources will make Allegheny one of the cleanest, most carbon-free generation and transmission cooperative in America. 

Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.

This over $455 million New ERA investment will be used for Arizona Electric Cooperative and its cooperative and public power members to transform their power portfolios with large-scale investments in renewable power, including 730 megawatts solar, 2,910-megawatt hours of battery energy storage, and 70 megawatts of wind throughout Arizona and the Southwest. These projects will reduce pollution by more than 1 million tons in carbon dioxide emissions – more than 70 percent total reduction –without sacrificing electricity reliability or affordability. This proposal will reduce greenhouse gas pollution by an equivalent of 425,000 gasoline-powered cars annually.

New community benefit programs will expand consumer-based energy efficiency and carbon reduction efforts in rural communities and establish agrivoltaic educational programs so farmers can also benefit from clean energy projects. Ultimately, the projects will enable over $3 billion of investment, benefiting approximately 40 electric cooperatives and public power utilities across the Southwest. This investment will also create approximately 600 new jobs during construction, and 30 new long-term jobs through local worker retraining and by establishing a renewable jobs Apprenticeship Program with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and local community colleges.

Blue Earth-Nicollet-Fairbault Cooperative Electric Association

This $525,000 New ERA investment will be used by Blue Earth-Nicollet-Faribault Cooperative Electric Association (BENCO) to provide load management modernization that enables ongoing member involvement in a virtual power plant having up to 400 megawatts of flexible demand capabilities. Participation in Great River Energy's virtual power plant helps align member-owners with the wholesale market and creates opportunities to secure additional capacity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

This New ERA project will help BENCO continue providing electric service to nearly 20,000 customers in south central Minnesota. BENCO plans to use load control switches to manage consumer assets like electric water heaters, heat pumps, and electric boilers. This will improve the energy efficiency of BENCO's system, increase grid stability, allow for error correction, and provide greater flexibility in responding to temporary shifts in energy needs.

Basin Electric Power Cooperative

With this $775 million funding, Basin Electric Power Cooperative will procure both additional renewable energy generation and enhance existing cooperative-owned renewable assets, which are expected to total over 1,400 megawatts to serve its cooperative members in nine states.  These projects will create short and long-term jobs, reduce carbon pollution, and provide estimated cost benefits of over $400 million to Basin Electric Power Cooperative members over the life of the New ERA program.

A new Community Benefits Program will focus on workforce development, agricultural sustainability, and community safety. 

Buckeye Power, Inc.

Buckeye Power will use the $304 million New ERA investment to deploy up to 44 megawatts of renewable energy and 80 megawatts of energy storage across rural Ohio in conjunction with the expected closure of Unit 3 operations at the coal-fired, Jefferson County-based Cardinal Generating Station. Buckeye anticipates this will lower pollution and its carbon footprint by 1.9 million tons annually and lower the power generation rates paid by members into the future. This financing through grants and loans will reduce greenhouse gas pollution by the equivalent of 540,000 gasoline-powered cars annually.

Central Electric Power Cooperative Inc.

This $500 million New ERA investment will be used by Central Electric Power Cooperative to procure more than 545 megawatts of nuclear and solar energy to power rural South Carolina. It will also include the procurement of 150 megawatts of battery energy storage to serve Central’s cooperative members. These projects will generate enough electricity to power more than 798,000 homes and reduce carbon emissions by over 2.2 million tons each year, the equivalent to removing 480,000 gasoline-powered cars, annually. 

Central Electric Power Cooperative's New ERA funds will be used to reduce member costs, resulting in an annual savings of $33.8 million from 2025 to 2033, or nearly 1.5%. 

Chickasaw Electric Cooperative

This over $35 million New ERA investment will be used for Chickasaw Electric Cooperative to procure from ENGIE North America over 40 megawatts from solar plant and 15 megawatts battery energy storage system of clean, renewable energy for rural areas in Mississippi and Tennessee. This will power nearly 8,000 homes each year.

This project will create nearly 20 short- and long-term jobs with ongoing apprenticeship opportunities. It will reduce climate pollution by nearly 78,000 tons each year, which is the equivalent of removing over 16,000 gasoline-powered cars annually.  

More than 22,000 consumers in Tennessee's rural counties of Fayette, Haywood, and Hardeman, as well as Mississippi's Marshall and Benton, will benefit from the New ERA project. The project also aims to have an impact on the green initiatives for the Megasite Authority of West Tennessee, a regional development authority promoting economic development and high-quality jobs in the surrounding areas, including the Ford Motor Company’s Blue Oval City, home of the Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center.

Concordia Electric Cooperative, Inc.

This $11.6 million New ERA investment will be used for Concordia Electric Cooperative, Inc. (“Concordia Electric”) to support the construction of 150 megawatts of clean, renewable energy from a solar plant and 25 megawatts for power purchase agreements in rural Louisiana. This will provide a portion of the power consumed by more than 13,000 consumers on the Concordia Electric system.

This project creates nearly 250 short-term and long-term jobs and reduces climate pollution by nearly 42,000 tons each year. The initiative will reduce greenhouse gas pollution equivalent to over 8,800 gasoline-powered cars annually.  

The New ERA project benefits represent an annual savings of approximately 4% of total power costs and a 2.5% reduction in retail rates throughout the planning period.

CORE Electric Cooperative

This nearly $225 million New ERA grant investment will be used for CORE Electric Cooperative to procure renewable energy sources in the form of wind, solar, and batteries through several power purchase agreements in rural portions of Colorado. The initiatives are expected to create new short- and long-term jobs, stabilize costs for members, and reduce pollution in support of Colorado’s net zero emissions goals. This proposal will reduce greenhouse gas pollution by an estimated 321,000 gasoline-powered cars annually. 

Connexus Energy

This nearly $170 million New ERA grant investment will be used by Connexus® Energy to procure 282 megawatts of renewable resources including hydro, solar, and wind energy and purchase 20 megawatts of battery energy storage in rural Minnesota and other areas of the Upper Midwest. The portfolio of projects, included in the cooperative’s 10-year resource plan, helps Connexus meet its long-term power supply needs, reduce member costs by 25% on 40% of its power supply portfolio for 20 years while complying with Minnesota’s 100% carbon-free mandate.

Through these projects, Connexus anticipates the creation of up to 370 short and long-term jobs, cutting climate pollution by over 1.1 million tons each year, the equivalent of removing 250,000 gasoline-powered vehicles annually, and powering nearly 80,000 homes per year. 

Dairyland Power Cooperative

This New ERA investment will be used by Dairyland to procure 1,080 megawatts of renewable energy through four solar installations and four wind power installations across rural portions of Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois. Dairyland’s electric rates are estimated to be 42 percent lower over 10 years than they would have been without New ERA funding, and they plan to leverage this funding for a total project investment of $2.1 billion. The Dairyland project will also include a Farmer Benefit Plan and Union Engagement Plan, which the cooperative will develop with support from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Clean Energy Community Initiative. This award will reduce pollution by an estimated 3 million tons of greenhouse gas annually or 90 million tons over the lifespan of the projects. That reduction is the equivalent to taking 729,000 gasoline-powered cars off the road every year. From this award, the cooperative’s carbon intensity will reduce by 66 percent and its ratio of renewable electricity will increase by 45 percent.  

Dakota Electric Association

This $500,000 New ERA investment will be used for Dakota Electric Association to deploy a new advanced distribution management system to more efficiently operate and control distributed resources across their service territory in Minnesota. This enables ongoing member involvement in Great River Energy’s virtual power plant that has up to 400 megawatts of flexible demand capabilities. 

Participation in Great River Energy's virtual power plant helps align member-owners with the wholesale market and creates opportunities to secure additional capacity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The new software also provides a platform to build upon and add capabilities and integrations in the future. 

This New ERA project will allow Dakota Electric Association to continue providing electricity to nearly 115,000 customers in Dakota, Rice, Scott, and Goodhue counties. Furthermore, the new software serves as a foundation for future capabilities and integrations. This will allow Dakota Electric Association to continue providing its members with best-in-class reliability and affordability in electricity costs.

East Central Energy

This $625,000 New ERA investment will be used for East Central Energy to upgrade nearly 8,400 field devices to control loads during peak times in rural areas of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Investment in this load management modernization enables ongoing member involvement in a virtual power plant having up to 400 megawatts of flexible demand capabilities. Participation in the virtual power plant helps align member-owners with the wholesale market and creates opportunities to secure additional capacity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

These projects will create around five short-term jobs and reduce climate pollution by reducing their dependence on dispatchable resources like natural gas our diesel generators.

As the market and electric generation in general continue to decarbonize, two-way communication to loads in the field will be an important tool for making load available when intermittently available resources such as wind and solar produce. Removing those loads from the grid when they require expensive dispatchable resources reduces the number of dispatchable resources required.

East Kentucky Power Cooperative

This $1.4 billion New ERA investment will be used for East Kentucky Power Cooperative to construct or procure 757 megawatts of renewable energy for rural portions of Kentucky, as well as improve the regional transmission grid to support renewable projects and increase energy efficiency. These efforts also will reduce pollution – including carbon dioxide emissions - by over 2.3 million tons annually, the equivalent of avoiding the pollution from 554,000 gasoline-powered cars annually.

Flint Hills Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Inc.

This $500,000 New ERA investment will be used for Flint Hills Rural Electric Cooperative to construct a 1-megawatt solar facility to produce clean, renewable energy that will serve rural Kansas. This is equivalent to powering nearly 200 homes each year.

These projects will create over 5 short-term jobs. It will reduce climate pollution by nearly 2,300 tons each year, which is the equivalent to over 480 gasoline-powered cars annually.

The New ERA project will help to stabilize and manage the coincidental peak for their rural low-middle-income consumers. Over $4 million in savings will be passed on to consumer members over the course of the project's 30-year life.

Fox Islands Cooperative

This $8.7 million New ERA investment will be used for Fox Islands Wind, LLC to construct 5.8 megawatts of clean, renewable energy from wind and solar facilities in rural Maine. This will power nearly 1,500 homes each year.

These projects will create around 25 short-term jobs and reduce climate pollution by nearly 2,000 tons each year. The initiative will reduce greenhouse gas pollution equivalent to over 420 gasoline-powered cars annually.  

The New ERA funding provides a lifeline for the remote island communities of North Haven and Vinalhaven, which are located 11 miles off the coast of Maine in Penobscot Bay. Fox Islands Wind, Fox Islands Electric Cooperative's wholly owned nonprofit generation subsidiary, plans to use the funds to repower and upgrade its 4.5-megawatt onshore wind farm, as well as build a solar array over a capped landfill.

Georgia Transmission Corporation

Georgia Transmission Corporation will use the $717 million New ERA investment for several projects, including new transmission lines and upgrades to existing transmission assets in approximately 20 rural communities across Georgia. These projects will benefit Georgia’s electric grid in a variety of ways including opening new paths and relieving congestion on the transmission network to increase capacity for renewable generation.  

The consortium in Georgia is made up of three companies, Georgia Transmission Corporation, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, and Green Power EMC, which generate and transmit electricity to 38 Georgia distribution cooperatives.

Goodhue County Cooperative Electric Association

This nearly $250,000 New ERA investment will be used for Goodhue County Cooperative Electric Association to continue involvement in Great River Energy’s virtual power plant that shifts more than 400 megawatts of energy in Minnesota, including Goodhue County and portions of the surrounding counties in southeast Minnesota. This project will shift roughly 2 megawatts of electrical load, which is enough to power approximately 200 homes during the system peak. 

Participation in the virtual power plant aligns member-owners with the wholesale market and provides opportunities to secure additional capacity while lowering greenhouse gas emissions. This market alignment helps the cooperative reduce its exposure to higher peak demand prices, resulting in greater rate stability for the member owners they serve. Not only does the grant reduce the capital investment cost, but it also generates ongoing member savings due to the system's capability.

Grand Valley Rural Power Lines, Inc.

This over $13 million New ERA investment will be used for Grand Valley Rural Power Lines, Inc. to procure more than 26 megawatts of clean, renewable energy from a solar agrivoltaics facility in rural Colorado. This will power nearly 6,600 homes per year.

The project will stabilize costs to rural cooperative members, create new short- and long-term jobs on Colorado’s Western Slope, and reduce climate pollution by more than 60,000 tons each year. The initiative will reduce greenhouse gas pollution equivalent to over 14,000 gasoline-powered cars annually.  

The New ERA funding supports investment that puts Grand Valley Rural Power Lines, Inc. on track to meet 100% of its customers' energy needs with renewable resources at a lower cost. The cooperative's members will directly benefit from cost savings of more than $700,000 per year for 15 years.

Great River Energy

This nearly $795 million New ERA investment will be used by Great River Energy and its member-owners to procure 1,275 megawatts of renewable energy across rural portions of Minnesota and North Dakota. These projects include large-scale wind energy projects, distributed renewable energy projects, and innovative demand side management investments that complement their existing portfolio. These investments are estimated to create over 1,600 short and long-term jobs, reduce costs against business as usual for members by roughly $40 million on average annually, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 5.49 million tons each year. This proposal will reduce greenhouse gas pollution at levels equivalent to avoiding the pollution from 1.3 million gasoline each year.

Hoosier Energy

The New ERA investment will be used by Hoosier Energy to assist in procuring 369 megawatts of carbon-free nuclear energy and 250 megawatts of renewable energy annually – through the restart of Palisades Nuclear Plant and solar generation facilities – to serve rural portions of Indiana and Illinois. This nearly $675 million grant investment is expected to create nearly 800 short- and long-term jobs, provide annual estimated cost savings of $35 million to Hoosier Energy members, and reduce annual carbon emissions by over 4.1 million tons – equivalent to removing 966,000 gasoline-powered cars each year. Project labor agreements have been executed with 15 trade unions to support the restart of the Palisades Nuclear Plant. Once fully operational, Palisades will create approximately 235 union jobs, nearly half of the facility’s workforce. Hoosier Energy community benefits to its members will include investing in local cooperative community grant programs, increasing investment and enrollment in critical training and safety programs, growing university partnerships and scholarships, and expanding highly effective energy efficiency and demand side management programming for cooperative consumers, farmers and agribusiness.

Inland Power and Light Company

This over $227 million New ERA investment will enable Inland Power and Light Company to procure over 273 megawatts of capacity of solar and wind generation to serve our members in rural areas of Washington and Idaho. This will power roughly 22,750 homes each year.

These projects will create over 450 short and long-term jobs, stabilize costs to rural cooperative members, and reduce climate pollution by 477,000 tons each year. The energy Inland Power and Light Company is procuring will reduce greenhouse gas pollution equivalent to over 111,000 gasoline-powered cars annually.  

Inland Power plans to use these grant funds to purchase renewable energy while also supporting student agricultural, STEAM, and tribal programs in the region. In addition, Inland Power plans to launch a battery-storage pilot program aimed at medical necessity, low-income, and residential members in high-wildfire risk areas to increase their resiliency.

Inside Passage Electric Cooperative

This $7.4 million New ERA investment will be used Inside Passage Electric Cooperative to construct .35 megawatts of clean, renewable energy from a run of river hydro facility in Alaska. This will power nearly 543 homes each year.

These projects will create around 25 short-term jobs. It will also reduce climate pollution by nearly 1,548 tons each year, which is the equivalent of removing over 320 gasoline-powered cars annually.  

The hydroelectric project is expected to reduce diesel fuel consumption by about 120,000 gallons per year. This project near the remote community of Hoonah in Southeast Alaska, is a salmon/fish-friendly run of river hydro. Hoonah's distribution system is currently an islanded microgrid that generates electricity with diesel-powered generators. The Water Supply Creek Hydro Project will reduce the community's diesel fuel consumption by approximately 14.6% while reducing annual climate pollution by 21.9%.

Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, Inc.

This $231 million New ERA investment will be used for Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, Inc to construct 104 megawatts of clean, renewable energy from hydrogen and solar facilities with battery energy storage systems in rural New Mexico. This will power nearly 25,000 homes each year.

These projects will reduce climate pollution by nearly 98,000 tons each year. The initiative will reduce greenhouse gas pollution equivalent to over 20,700 gasoline-powered cars annually.  

KCEC's Pathways project will create up to 350 jobs during construction and generate approximately $298 million in economic output, with a total tax impact of more than $44 million over the next five years. This critical renewable project, combined with other initiatives, will significantly reduce KCEC's overall power costs for its members.

Lake Country Power

This $1.2 million New ERA investment will be used for Lake Country Power to modernize its demand side management system with up to 50 megawatts (depending on the season) of dispatchable load as part of a virtual power plant in rural Minnesota. This will provide needed capacity for roughly 13,000 homes during peak energy times.

Participation in the virtual power plant aligns member-owners with the wholesale market and provides opportunities to secure additional capacity while lowering greenhouse gas emissions. It is estimated that Lake Country Power's virtual power plant will save members $250,000 per month during the summer and $700,000 per month during the winter.

Mountain Parks Electric, Inc.

This over $100 million New ERA investment will be used for Mountain Parks Electric, Inc. (MPEI) to procure over 300,000 megawatt hours of renewable clean energy through power purchase agreements in rural areas of Colorado. This will power nearly 18,500 homes annually. 

Through these projects, MPEI will advance and promote scholarships and apprenticeship programs, expand support of affordable housing and low-income families, stabilize costs to rural cooperative members, and reduce climate pollution by over 291,000 tons each year. These projects will reduce greenhouse gas pollution equivalent to nearly 70,000 gasoline-powered cars annually.

The New ERA represents a significant opportunity for MPEI and its members to benefit from both consumer and financial benefits, as they can maintain lower rates while covering expenses and ensuring long-term operations. This ensures that MPEI remains a financially viable and competitive utility, while its members benefit from cleaner energy and lower energy costs than they would otherwise. The New ERA is more than just a financial boon; it is critical to the long-term prosperity of the entire MPEI community.

Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative

This $900,000 New ERA investment will be used by Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative to implement a Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS) software-based platform with a wide range of capabilities for their members in their service territory in Minnesota. This enables ongoing member involvement in Great River Energy’s virtual power plant that has up to 400 megawatts of flexible demand capabilities. 

Participation in Great River Energy's virtual power plant helps align member-owners with the wholesale market and creates opportunities to secure additional capacity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The New ERA project will allow participants to take advantage of expanding technology options, and participate in programs at a low cost. The DERMS platform will be integrated with several other external platforms in order to achieve the larger goals. 

Nebraska Electric G&T

This $200 million New ERA grant investment will be used by Nebraska Electric G&T (NEGT) to procure 725 megawatts of wind and solar energy in Butler, Burt, and Custer County, Nebraska, which can supply electricity to nearly 170,000 homes per year.  

This investment will create up to 425 short- and long-term jobs, stabilize costs for rural cooperative members, and reduce climate pollution by over 2.2 million tons per year. This proposal will reduce greenhouse gas pollution by the equivalent of 482,000 gasoline-powered cars each year.  

The New ERA program will provide an opportunity for NEGT to provide its members with special patronage retirements. It is also projected to reduce wholesale power rates by 1.5% per year over the project's life. 

Oglethorpe Power Corporation

Oglethorpe Power Corporation will use the $331 million New ERA investment to refinance outstanding loans for the retired Hal B. Wansley coal plant. Between 2025 and 2044, the refinancing will result in an average annual savings of $7.7 million in expenses. Oglethorpe Power will pass the savings directly to the 38 member cooperatives it serves, resulting in lower wholesale power costs for the 4.5 million Georgians who rely on electric cooperatives for power at their home or business. 

The consortium in Georgia is made up of three companies, Georgia Transmission Corporation, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, and Green Power EMC, which generate and transmit electricity to 38 Georgia distribution cooperatives.

Pointe Coupee Electric Membership Corporation

This $10.5 million New ERA investment will be used for Pointe Coupee Electric Membership Corporation to support the construction of 150 megawatts of clean, renewable energy from a solar plant and 25 megawatts of a power purchase agreement for rural Louisiana. This will power nearly 30,000 homes each year.

These projects create nearly 250 short- and long-term jobs and reduce climate pollution by nearly 42,000 tons each year for Pointe Coupee Electric. The initiative will reduce greenhouse gas pollution equivalent to over 8,800 gasoline-powered cars annually.  

The New ERA project benefits represent an annual savings of approximately 3% of total power costs and 2% reduction in retail rates throughout the planning period.

Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association, Inc.

This nearly $44 million New ERA investment gives Poudre Valley REA (PVREA) the opportunity to procure 108 megawatts of wind energy and construct 5 megawatts of new battery energy storage across their system in rural Colorado. It will also involve building a 5 MW battery energy storage system. These projects will help power their entire membership of more than 56,000 homes and businesses.

This investment will generate up to 330 short- and long-term jobs, stabilize costs for rural electric cooperative members, and reduce carbon emissions by more than 370,000 tons per year. This will help them expand their renewable energy projects and meet their commitment to achieve 80% carbon-free energy by 2030. 

PVREA has a unionized workforce under the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 111, as well as apprentice and internship programs, which will help ensure the projects’ success. These projects will provide a cleaner electric grid, especially for low-income families and individuals.

San Miguel Electric Cooperative, Inc.

San Miguel Electric Cooperative’s over $1.4 billion financing through grants and loans will be used to procure 600 megawatts of clean, renewable energy through solar voltaic panels and a battery energy storage system. This system will power 47 counties across rural South Texas, providing a low-cost, reliable power supply, and help alleviate system constraints and ease transmission congestion.

These projects are estimated to provide 600 short- and long-term jobs and save coop members $1.09 billion over the 30-year life of the project. All this will be accomplished while reducing climate pollution by over 1.8 million tons annually. The proposal will remove 446,000 gasoline-powered cars each year.

The New ERA program will provide apprenticeship programs, employee training and education, and workforce benefits, including partnerships with area colleges and universities for transition education and needed certifications. To enhance the use of previously mined land, San Miguel plans to incorporate agricultural programs to benefit the area farms and ranches, residents, and underserved communities with opportunities for growth and education.

San Miguel Power Association, Inc.

San Miguel Power Association, Inc. will use this $9.8 million New ERA investment to partner with the communities of the west end of Montrose County, Colorado, to build a new local solar facility that does not impact agricultural land, accounts for and minimizes visual impact, and unlocks a host of benefits for the local stakeholders that participate in the Community Benefits Plan for this project. The array will be capable of producing 20 megawatts of renewable clean energy, while generating benefits such as jobs and tax revenue for the communities that organize and host the project. The annual energy output from the solar array will generate enough energy to power 5,330 households annually and help reduce wholesale power costs to all members of the cooperative.

Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc.

This over $1.25 billion New ERA financing through grants and loans will be used for Seminole Electric Cooperative to construct and procure a total of 700 megawatts of energy resources through a combination of utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects across rural portions of Florida. The initiative is expected to create an estimated 3,400 short- and long-term jobs, provide resource diversity at stable cost, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 3.5 million tons annually. This proposal will reduce greenhouse gas pollution by the equivalent of 740,000 gasoline-powered cars each year.

As a co-applicant with Seminole, Sumter Electric Cooperative Energy will leverage the New ERA investment to increase energy cost savings, enhance energy efficiency, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. They will construct three solar microgrids with battery energy storage anticipated to generate approximately 6.6 megawatts total of clean, renewable energy and implement a system-wide high-efficiency LED streetlight replacement program which, collectively, will create an estimated 581 short- and long-term jobs and increase rural access to clean energy.

Seven States Power Corporation

This over $439 million New ERA investment will be used for Seven States Power Corporation to construct 250 megawatts of clean, renewable energy from a solar facility that will serve parts of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. This will power nearly 113,000 homes each year.

These projects will create over 100 short- and long-term jobs and reduce climate pollution by nearly 291,000 tons each year. The initiative will reduce greenhouse gas pollution equivalent to over 61,600 gasoline-powered cars annually.  

The New ERA program's interest savings and grant funds will reduce the project's costs by more than $340 million. This funding will be critical in ensuring the timely completion of this transformative renewable energy project, which would not have been possible otherwise.

Stearns Cooperative Electric Association

This $9.7 million New ERA investment will allow Stearns Electric Association, in partnership with its wholesale power provider Great River Energy (GRE), to procure 10 megawatts of clean, renewable energy and add 16 megawatts to the GRE virtual power plant in rural Minnesota. The clean renewable energy will power nearly 1,720 homes each year.

Participation in the virtual power plant reduces reliance on the wholesale market and provides opportunities to secure additional capacity while lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

The New ERA grant will save Stearns Electric Association over $2.3 million, or nearly $83 per member, in capital costs.

Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric

This $16.6 million New ERA investment will be used for Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric to construct 8.6 megawatts of clean, renewable energy from wind and solar facilities in rural Minnesota. This will power nearly 2,100 homes each year.

These projects will create around 25 short-term jobs and reduce climate pollution by nearly 32,000 tons each year. The initiative will reduce greenhouse gas pollution equivalent to over 6,700 gasoline-powered cars annually.  

The New ERA funding will help lower their wholesale purchase price of power for all of their memberships.

Trico Electric Cooperative, Inc.

This $43 million New ERA grant investment will be used by Trico Electric Cooperative, Inc., as part of the Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. consortium, to procure 80 megawatts of new solar generation and 80 megawatts battery energy storage system of renewable energy in Arizona, which can supply electricity to nearly 11,000 homes per year.

This investment will create up to 256 short- and long-term jobs, stabilize costs for rural cooperative members, and reduce climate pollution by over 132,000 tons per year. This proposal will reduce greenhouse gas pollution by the equivalent of 30,700 gasoline-powered cars each year.

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. $2.5 billion New ERA financing through grants and loans is expected to reduce electricity rates for cooperative members by 10 percent by 2034, amassing $430 million in rural consumer benefits over ten years. New ERA funds will finance the purchase of 1,040 megawatts of renewable energy and more than 200 megawatts of energy storage. New ERA funds will also help Tri-State refinance the retirement of 1,100 megawatts of previously and newly announced coal-fired energy generation. The investments will provide affordable, reliable, and resilient energy to Tri-State's cooperative members across Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Wyoming. This investment will reduce climate pollution by nearly 5.8 million tons annually. This transformative investment is expected to create over 2,000 jobs.

United Power

This nearly $262 million New ERA grant investment will be used for United Power to offset the cost of its transition to a strategic, clean energy portfolio - including power purchase agreements - that will provide more than 760 megawatts of renewable resources. United Power’s green portfolio currently represents more than 300 megawatts of renewable energy from solar, hydropower, and wind, including one project providing tax benefits and workforce opportunities in a disadvantaged Colorado county.

An additional 460 megawatts of solar generation - anticipated to be online by 2030 - includes 160 megawatts from a member’s agrivoltaics solar project. These projects demonstrate a projected reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by more than 2.1 million tons annually, which is equivalent to removing greenhouse gas pollution by an estimated 522,000 gasoline-powered cars each year.

United Power is committed to implement its approved Community Benefits Plan demonstrating its investment in a skilled, long-term workforce needed to power the energy transition including continued support of United Power’s apprenticeship program and line worker scholarships. United Power will also support developers who are hiring and training workers in the renewable energy sector, and will provide communities across Colorado with noncarbon generation, cleaner air, and local tax revenues.

Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative

The New ERA investment will be used by Wolverine Power Cooperative to purchase 435 megawatts of clean, carbon-free wholesale energy from the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant to serve its member cooperatives throughout rural Michigan. This nearly $650 million grant will reduce carbon emissions by nearly 2 million tons annually, putting the cooperative’s members on track to reach 100 percent carbon-free energy before 2030. This proposal will reduce greenhouse gas pollution by the equivalent of removing 448,000 gasoline-powered cars each year.

The restart of Palisades Nuclear Plant, a historic first for the United States, will restore and maintain a safe, highly skilled, and well-compensated workforce of 600 full-time employees, including nearly 250 union positions. In addition, Holtec signed a Project Labor Agreement with more than 15 skilled trades unions for the restart project. Wolverine’s Community Benefits Plan includes meaningful support for key initiatives such as low-income community solar, skilled trades training, agricultural investments, and energy efficiency programs, which will benefit members and the communities Wolverine serves for decades to come.

Yampa Valley Electric Association

This almost $50 million New ERA grant investment will be used by Yampa Valley Electric Association (YVEA) to procure up to 150 megawatts of solar energy and 75 megawatts of battery energy storage for Northwestern Colorado and Southwestern Wyoming.   

Through these projects, YVEA will develop a Community Benefits Plan that will help support disadvantaged communities, promote job skills through an expanded scholarship program, stabilize costs for rural cooperative members, and reduce climate pollution by 255,000 tons per year. This proposal will be the equivalent to providing electricity for more than 45,000 homes, according to EPA calculations across the country. 

The New ERA program will improve the efficiency of YVEA’s power supply and expand the cooperative’s commitment to powering rural and underserved areas, ultimately contributing to lasting benefits that enhance the quality of life for those served. 

Blue Ridge Power Agency

This New ERA investment will be used for Blue Ridge Power Agency to procure 140 megawatts of clean, renewable energy. Approximately 89,000 households across Virginia will receive this power through Blue Ridge's member distribution utilities. 

This project will reduce climate pollution by nearly 125,000 tons each year, which is the equivalent to removing over 26,000 gasoline-powered cars annually.  

The New ERA funding saves members more than $51 million over the course of the grant. Blue Ridge Power Agency will implement a Community Benefits Plan, which will include new scholarships and classes for line workers at three local community colleges, as well as increased safety and specialized training for their utility staff.

Golden Valley Electric Association

This New ERA investment will be used for Golden Valley Electric to add up to 150 megawatts of renewable wind energy onto their system in Interior Alaska. It will also include constructing a battery energy storage system and significant transmission infrastructure to reliably interconnect large-scale variable generation onto Alaska’s unique grid. This investment will create up to 300 short- and long-term jobs, stabilize costs to rural cooperative members, and reduce carbon emissions by over 460,000 tons each year, which is the equivalent of removing 110,000 gasoline-powered cars annually. Additionally, funds will support the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Golden Valley Electric Association and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1547. As part of Golden Valley Electric Association’s Community Benefit Plan, the projects will increase local apprentices, implement a job retraining program, and expand educational opportunities and scholarships to diversify the workforce.

Minnkota Power Cooperative

This New ERA investment will support Minnkota Power Cooperative’s pursuit of a carbon capture and storage project (Project Tundra) as well as the procurement of 370 megawatts of wind energy in North Dakota. These projects will create hundreds of short- and long-term jobs, while providing environmental benefits to rural member-consumers in Minnesota and North Dakota. This proposal will reduce greenhouse gas pollution by 4.3 million tons, the equivalent pollution of 1 million cars each year.

Pacific Northwest Generation Cooperative

Pacific Northwest Generation Cooperative will use this New ERA investment to build new solar and battery energy storage system projects in Crook and Jefferson Counties, Oregon, capable of producing 240 megawatts of renewable clean energy. This will generate enough energy to power over 192,000 households annually. This power will be distributed to 25 Cooperative Utilities located in 7 states.

These projects will create around 50 short and long-term jobs, stabilize costs to rural cooperative members, and reduce climate pollution by over 396,000 tons each year. These projects will reduce greenhouse gas pollution equivalent to over 92,000 gasoline-powered cars annually.  

This will help the Pacific Northwest Generation Cooperative provide dependable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly energy to our growing communities.

Rayburn Country Electric Cooperative

This New ERA investment will be used by Rayburn Electric Cooperative to construct 160 megawatts of new battery energy storage near Trinity Valley Electric Cooperative’s service area in Texas, powering nearly 32,000 homes per year. Rayburn's battery energy storage system will enhance the resilience of the grid by storing excess low-cost solar energy and distributing it during peak demand hours. This approach ensures that renewable energy is available when it is needed the most, helping to stabilize the system and reduce reliance on more expensive, non-renewable energy sources. 

This investment will create up 370 short- and long-term jobs, stabilize costs for rural cooperative members, and reduce carbon emissions by over 150,000 tons per year, which is the equivalent of removing 32,000 gasoline-powered cars each year.  

San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative

This New ERA investment will be used for San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative to procure 2 megawatts of clean, renewable energy from solar facilities in rural Colorado. This will power nearly 400 homes each year.

These projects will create around 15 short-term jobs. It will reduce climate pollution by nearly 4,900 tons each year, which is the equivalent to removing over 1,000 gasoline-powered cars annually.  

The New ERA funding saves members approximately $200,000 per year. The projects will be strategically placed to benefit some of our most rural members. These will be the Cooperative's first steps toward local clean energy, ensuring a more dependable, affordable, and prosperous future for our members.