Empowering Rural America Program: Project Announcements

The New ERA project investments will strengthen the nation’s energy independence, create good-paying jobs, and enhance the resiliency of our nation’s electric grid. Please see the President's announcement on September 5, 2024 | Press Release.

States with New ERA Projects 

Additional selected New ERA cooperatives and awards will be made in the coming months.

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. This nearly $573 million investment is the first New ERA award. 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.  

“Dairyland Power Cooperative is honored to receive this New ERA award, which provides Dairyland and our member cooperatives with a tremendous opportunity to continue making vital investments in essential clean energy resources,” said Dairyland Power Cooperative President and CEO Brent Ridge. “Through a carefully cultivated portfolio of renewable energy projects, New ERA will drive substantial carbon reduction across the Dairyland system, facilitate new economic growth and job creation, promote environmental stewardship and lower energy costs for rural and agricultural communities.” 

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 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.

“Hoosier Energy greatly appreciates the opportunity to be selected in this process and looks forward to building on our effective collaboration with the USDA,” said Hoosier Energy President & CEO Donna Walker. “If awarded, the Empowering Rural America New ERA investment will assist Hoosier Energy with the continued diversification of our resource portfolio and ensure the most effective balance of reliable, affordable, sustainable energy for our 18 member cooperatives, their 730,000 member-consumers, and the communities they serve. The focus on community benefits has significant potential to positively impact the rural Illinois and Indiana areas served by Hoosier Energy as well, helping to advance workforce readiness and programs that educate member-consumers, farmers, and agribusiness on what they can do to reduce energy consumption and save money.”

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 investment 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.

“The New ERA grant opportunity inspired Wolverine to think big about decarbonization,” said Wolverine’s President and CEO Eric Baker. “The power purchase agreement, essential for the historic restart of the Palisades plant, enables us to achieve two critical goals: protecting Michigan’s electric reliability and advancing decarbonization.”

The following entities have made it past the competitive stage of the New ERA program and are now in the underwriting process to receive an award.

Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc.

The New ERA investment will help Allegheny Electric Cooperative add significant carbon-free resources to its generation portfolio. Their innovative project will help serve energy needs in rural portions of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, while reducing the carbon footprint of Allegheny and its 14-member electric distribution cooperatives.

New ERA funding will allow Allegheny to meet over 80 percent of its power requirements from carbon-free resources by 2026 and reduce pollution and carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 100,000 tons annually. This proposal will reduce greenhouse gas pollution at a level equivalent of removing 22,000 gasoline-powered cars from the road annually. This opportunity to invest in clean energy resources makes Allegheny one of the most carbon-free generation and transmission cooperatives in America.

“We’re excited to be considered a selectee for New ERA funding,” said Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association and Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc. President and CEO Steve Brame. “As the generation provider for 14 electric distribution cooperatives, Allegheny’s job is to deliver a safe, reliable, and affordable supply of energy to our member systems and the rural communities they serve. Through the support of New ERA funding, our proposed project has the benefit of adding zero-emissions resources to our generation portfolio – while keeping energy costs down for these cooperative communities.”

Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.

The 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.

“Arizona Electric Power Cooperative and its electric distribution members play an essential role in providing rural areas of the Southwest, including many disadvantaged and low-income communities, with reliable, affordable, and responsible power and energy services,” said Arizona Electric Cooperative CEO Patrick Ledger. “With the USDA’s support, the New ERA Program has created a once-in-a generation opportunity, allowing AEPCO and its cooperative and public power members to invest in renewable energy projects without sacrificing reliability or affordability of power. This funding will enhance the not-for-profit democratic community-based cooperative model and will provide stable and long-term benefits for our rural communities for years to come."

Basin Electric Power Cooperative

With this 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 across Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. These projects will create short and long-term jobs, reduce carbon emissions, and provide estimated cost benefits of over $400 million to Basin Electric Power Cooperative members over the life of the New ERA program. This selectee will reduce greenhouse gas pollution by an estimated 2.2 million tons annually, the equivalent of removing 522,000 gasoline-powered cars annually.

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

“Renewable generation is a key portion of our balanced approach to resource development, and we look forward to adding additional renewable generation to our portfolio in partnership with RUS and our communities through the New ERA program,” said Basin Electric Power Cooperative CEO and General Manager Todd Brickhouse.

Buckeye Power, Inc.

Buckeye Power will use the New ERA investment to deploy up to 36 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 proposal will reduce greenhouse gas pollution by the equivalent of 540,000 gasoline-powered cars annually.

“Buckeye Power will use the New ERA funds to deploy 36 megawatts of renewable energy and 80-megawatt hour of energy storage across rural Ohio, in conjunction with closure of Cardinal Unit 3,” said Buckeye Power President and CEO Patrick O’Loughlin. “We anticipate this will further lower our carbon footprint by 1.9 million tons annually and reduce power generation rates paid by our members into the future—all while supporting our commitment to provide reliable, affordable environmentally responsible electricity to cooperative members.”

CORE Electric Cooperative

This New ERA 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, lower 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. 

“This Empowering Rural America New ERA investment will be used for CORE Electric Cooperative to procure approximately 550 megawatts of new wind and solar renewable energy. It will also allow CORE to invest in energy reliability through roughly 100 megawattsof energy storage,” said CORE Electric Cooperative CEO Pam Feuerstein. “These efforts are estimated to provide more than 1.9 million MWh of GHG-free energy annually, create new short and long-term jobs, reduce costs for member-owners, and help meet Colorado’s clean energy goals.”

East Kentucky Power Cooperative

This 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.

“New ERA funding will help EKPC cost-effectively lower the carbon intensity of the electricity it generates for 1.1. million Kentucky residents and thousands of businesses, bolstering our mission of providing reliable, cost-competitive and sustainable energy for Kentucky,” said East Kentucky Power Cooperative President and CEO Tony Campbell.

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.

"New ERA provides Golden Valley Electric the ability to enhance grid reliability, create new jobs, and invest in energy solutions that support long-term resilience. The funding represents a significant opportunity for us to advance sustainable projects that would otherwise not be possible for our small electric cooperative," said Golden Valley Electric Association CEO Travis Million. “As we move forward in this process, Golden Valley will remain committed to providing reliable and affordable power to our members, and we’re excited about the possibility of contributing to the economic growth of the communities we serve."

Great River Energy

This 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 $30 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.

“Our consortium laid out an innovative portfolio of projects and power purchase agreements that will benefit cooperative members across Minnesota,” said Great River Energy President and Chief Executive Officer David Saggau. “The projects in our New ERA proposal will allow us to procure more than 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy while creating over 1,500 new jobs, saving our members $30 million on average annually, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by over 5 million tons and creating a host of benefits across the communities we serve.”

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.

“As we enter one of the most transformational periods in our industry’s history, the New ERA program represents a positive opportunity for our membership and many others across rural America,” said Minnkota President and CEO Mac McLennan. “We are grateful to continue forward as we pursue development of Project Tundra – a bold carbon capture initiative in North Dakota – as well as the advancement of 370 megawatts of new wind energy resources in the state. New ERA helps not-for-profit cooperatives like Minnkota more cost-effectively decarbonize power supply portfolios, while retaining a reliable and resilient electric grid for the members we serve.”

San Miguel Electric Cooperative, Inc.

This New ERA investment will be used for San Miguel Electric Cooperative 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.

“We are very excited to be named a selectee for the New ERA program, providing our community with unprecedented opportunities,” said San Miguel Electric Cooperative General Manager Craig Courter. “This includes a wide range of educational, agricultural, and infrastructure improvements that will benefit our employees, cooperative members, and the region as we continue to deliver affordable, reliable energy to rural Texans at a time of record demand.”

Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc.

This New ERA investment 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 1 million 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.

Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative is also a co-applicant with Seminole and intends to use New ERA to invest in two solar generation facilities that will both be equipped with battery energy storage systems. These projects are estimated to create more than 75 jobs in their service territory with local labor income estimated to be more than $5.1 million.

“The Empowering Rural America Program enables Seminole to add 700 megawatts of energy capability from utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects,” said Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc. CEO and General Manager Lisa Johnson. “By taking advantage of this opportunity afforded to rural electric cooperatives, these investments in our future power supply portfolio will provide resource diversity and stabilize cost while cutting more than 3.5 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually and bring an estimated 3,400 jobs to the local economy in those areas we serve in Florida.”

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.

This New ERA investment will be used for Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association to support the retirement of 1,100 megawatts of coal-fired generation in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico, and procure 1,480 megawatts of renewable energy through solar, wind, and battery storage across rural portions of Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Wyoming. This transformative shift in resources is estimated to create nearly 2,200 short- and long-term jobs, reduce member costs by $422 million over 20 years, and reduce climate pollution by nearly 5.8 million tons annually. -This proposal will reduce greenhouse gas pollution by the equivalent of 1.4 million gasoline-powered cars each year. 

The New ERA Program provides a generational opportunity not only for Tri-State to harness the opportunity of the energy transition to serve its members for the future but also to invest back into the rural communities they serve by delivering community benefits driven by local input, and support workforce transition, including in partnership with labor to retrain workers to participate in the clean energy economy.

“New ERA represents the largest investment in rural electric cooperatives and the communities they serve since the Rural Electrification Act of 1936,” said Tri-State Chief Executive Officer Duane Highley. “We couldn’t be more excited by this opportunity to leverage New ERA to serve our cooperative’s members and support our communities through unparalleled investments that achieve significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions while maintaining the reliable, affordable electricity rural communities count on.”

United Power

This New ERA 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 a 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.
 

“The Empowering Rural America New ERA investment will have an immediate positive impact on all United Power members who have experienced increased costs for food, property taxes, insurance, and all utilities over the past few years,” said United Power President and CEO Mark A. Gabriel. “We are excited to start receiving the funds so we can promote how USDA's support of our power supply’s decarbonization as laid out in Our Cooperative Roadmap will benefit the communities, we serve for generations to come.”