Dive Summary:
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced $280 million in funding to improve rural electric grid infrastructure across 13 states.
- Despite the financial uncertainty surrounding the federal government, the USDA said it was partnering with rural utilities to invest in system reliability and create jobs in Colorado, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas.
- Some of the $280 million in funding will be used to improve or build new transmission lines from scratch while $6 million will go towards the smart grid.
From the press release:
"... One of the rural electric cooperatives selected for funding is the Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative, Inc. It will receive a $15 million loan to build 125 miles of distribution line and four miles of transmission line, and make other system improvements for Native American and other customers in North and South Dakota. The loan amount includes $447,452 for smart grid projects.
In Minnesota, the Wild Rice Electric Cooperative, Inc. will receive a $12 million loan to build more than 106 miles of distribution line and fund $680,000 for smart grid projects. This project will improve service to many Native American customers. ..."