USDA invests $345.5 million in rural electric infrastructure
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue Aug. 6 announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $345.5 million in 20 infrastructure projects to improve rural electric service in 14 states.
“Delivering reliable and affordable electricity to power rural America will help lay the groundwork for increased rural prosperity and economic opportunity,” Perdue said. “USDA is partnering with rural electric utilities and cooperatives so they can continue to invest in infrastructure improvements to provide electric power to those who live and work in rural areas.”
USDA is making the investments through the Electric Infrastructure Loan Program. This program helps finance generation, transmission and distribution projects; system improvements; and energy conservation projects in communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.
USDA is announcing investments in rural communities in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
The loans include $7.9 million for smart grid technology. This includes computer applications, two-way communications, geospatial information systems and other tools to increase the reliability and efficiency of electric power systems. Regional projects USDA is funding include:
Colorado
The San Isabel Electric Association is receiving a $15.8 million loan to build 63 miles of line and improve 143 miles to serve consumers in Huerfano, Las Animas, Pueblo, Custer, Otero and Costilla counties. The loan includes $752,021 for smart grid projects.
Kansas
FreeState Electric Cooperative, Inc., is receiving a $14.956 million loan to build 82 miles of line, improve 119 miles and make other system improvements. The loan amount includes $130,000 for smart grid projects. FreeState, headquartered in Topeka, is the largest rural electric cooperative in eastern Kansas. It has approximately 17,900 meters. It serves customers principally in Atchison, Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Osage, Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties, and a small portion in Pottawatomie County. FreeState operates and maintains 3,200 miles of distribution line. The economy of the service area is agricultural.
Missouri
Lewis County Rural Electric Cooperative Association is receiving a $12.3 million loan to build 37 miles of line, improve 26 miles and make other system improvements. The loan includes $179,300 for smart grid projects. Lewis County serves approximately 7,100 consumers through 2,491 miles of line in Adair, Clark, Knox, Lewis, Marion, Scotland and Shelby counties in central Missouri. The economy of the service area is based on agriculture and light industry.
Oklahoma
Red River Valley Rural Electric Association is receiving a $13.326 million loan to build 30 miles of line, improve 57 miles and make other system improvements. The loan amount includes $680,758 for smart grid projects. Red River is headquartered in Marietta. It provides electric service to an average of 15,888 customers over approximately 2,732 total energized miles in all or portions of Carter, Jefferson, Johnston, Love and Marshall counties in south central Oklahoma.
South Dakota
Moreau Grand Electric Cooperative is receiving a $9 million loan to build 52 miles of line, improve 50 miles and make other system improvements. The loan amount includes $190,000 for smart grid projects. Moreau Grand is headquartered in Timber Lake. It provides electric service to more than 6,900 consumers over 3,887 miles of line in Carson, Dewy, Meade, Perkins and Ziebach counties in the north central South Dakota. Moreau’s service area is located within the boundaries of the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation and the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. The area’s economy is based on various governmental activities and agriculture, primarily livestock feed production.
