Major General Strub Visits ACEC
Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative recently hosted Major General Matthew Strub, Wisconsin’s adjutant general and the state official overseeing Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM), for an in-depth look at electric cooperatives and the role they play before, during, and after major emergencies.
WECA Vice President of Operations, Environmental, and Regulatory Services Tim Clay and Adams-Columbia leadership, including General Manager Jon Congdon, gave presentations about the cooperative business model, the scope of Wisconsin’s cooperative electric infrastructure, and the challenges of maintaining reliable service across large, sparsely populated rural territories.
The group also offered a tour of the facility and a new substation.
PSC Offers Funds to Smaller Utilities
Following comments submitted by WECA and Eau Claire Energy, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) has again committed to award 75% of funding in the second round of the Wisconsin Grid Resilience Formula Grant Program to smaller utilities.
Commissioners made the same commitment in round one and awarded 100% of the funding to smaller utilities. All electric cooperatives that applied for funds in the first round were approved.
The Grid Resilience Program was established to help states improve the reliability and resilience of the grid. Wisconsin was awarded $10.2 million for the first two years and $5.6 million for year three.
USDA Launches $410 Million Rural Energy Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is making $410 million in partially forgivable loans available for electric cooperatives and other eligible entities through the new Powering Affordable Reliable Technology program. The goal is to support affordable, reliable energy infrastructure, increase the rural power supply, and strengthen electric grid resilience.
The loans can be used for construction of hydropower, geothermal, and biomass projects as well as energy storage projects that can back up intermittent renewable power facilities. They can also cover new or upgraded electric transmission and distribution lines and equipment, such as microgrids, associated with those projects.
The agency is accepting letters of interest through October 9.
Oconto Electric Tops 2024-25 Communications Awards
Wisconsin electric cooperative member services and communications professionals gathered in Madison recently for their annual conferences.
A highlight of the events is the annual awards presentation for communicators who produce exceptional content for the local pages of the monthly Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News magazine.
The winners are:
Co-op News
First Place:
Oconto Electric Cooperative
Katie Jagiello, editor
Honorable Mention:
Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services
Liz Gunderson, editor (Gunderson was the local editor during the time of judging)
Energy Education
First Place:
Eau Claire Energy Cooperative
Taylor Skibba, editor
Honorable Mention:
Richland Electric Cooperative
Trina Duffy-Brauer, editor
Human Interest
First Place:
Oconto Electric Cooperative
Katie Jagiello, editor
Honorable Mention:
Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services
Liz Gunderson, editor
Photography
First Place:
Vernon Electric Cooperative
Trevor Clark, editor
Honorable Mention:
Oconto Electric Cooperative
Katie Jagiello, editor
Realta Fusion Partners with MG&E on Fusion Plant
Madison-based Realta Fusion and Madison Gas and Electric have announced a partnership to explore development of a 200-megawatt commercial fusion power plant in Wisconsin.
The proposed plant would be capable of generating enough electricity to serve roughly 150,000 homes. MGE is also investing in Realta and will provide technical assistance for the company’s planned research and development facility, the Realta Forge, at the former Oscar Mayer site in Madison.
Co-ops Press for Changes to Broadband Program
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) is urging federal officials to improve the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program as the government launches another round of funding.
NRECA CEO Jim Matheson argued to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) that delays, changing federal guidance, cost constraints, and unrealistic funding assumptions have discouraged participation in the program and jeopardized efforts to reach some of the nation’s most difficult-to-serve rural areas.
Home Energy Rebate Programs Top $17 Million
Wisconsin’s Home Energy Rebate programs have provided more than $17 million in rebates to homeowners and qualifying projects since launching two years ago, helping residents make energy-efficiency improvements and install high-efficiency electric equipment.
As of August, the two programs—the Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) program and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program—had paid a combined $17.1 million in rebates.
Qualified single-family and multifamily projects can receive HOMES and HEAR rebates by working with IRA-registered contractors. Rebates for certain HEAR-eligible products are also available through participating retail stores.