WASHINGTON DC – Nine electric cooperatives across Minnesota are getting federal funding for energy upgrades.
U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar say the money will benefit more than 150,000 people in Greater Minnesota in reduced costs and increased energy efficiency.
“The clean energy transition is here, and we can either lead or follow. I want Minnesota to lead, and with this announcement, we will,” says Senator Smith. “With this investment, cooperatives can unleash clean energy in a way that works best for their communities. This will fight climate change. This will lower energy costs. And this will strengthen our energy security and resilience by ensuring our rural communities continue to have safe, reliable and clean, American-made energy for years to come.”
“Far too many households struggle to afford their heating costs. Families should not have to choose between paying for heat and other necessities,” says Senator Klobuchar. “With this investment, electric cooperatives can reduce energy costs for families across our state while strengthening access to clean, reliable power.”
Blue Earth-Nicollet-Faribault Cooperative Electric Association will use a $525,000 investment to provide load management modernization that enables ongoing member involvement in a virtual power plant having up to 400 megawatts of flexible demand capabilities. This New ERA project will help the co-op continue providing electric service to nearly 20,000 customers in south central Minnesota.
Goodhue County Cooperative Electric Association will use nearly $250,000 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.
Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric was awarded $16.6 million 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.
Also receiving federal funding are:
– Dakota Electric Association
– East Central Energy
– Lake Country Power
– Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative
– Stearns Cooperative Electric Association
– Basin Electric Power Cooperative
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