The Free Press
MANKATO — Two area electric cooperatives were among those in the state receiving millions of dollars in clean energy grants.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Friday announced more than $825 million in clean energy investments in Minnesota through its Empowering Rural America program, referred to as New ERA.
Rural electric cooperatives will use the funding to reduce climate pollution by millions of tons each year, according to Minnesota Rural Development Director Colleen Landkamer.
“In just two years, the New ERA program has created strong partnerships with rural electric cooperatives and communities that will reduce pollution, create jobs and make clean energy more affordable for communities in rural Minnesota,” Landkamer said in a statement.
“These investments we’re making today will continue to support the health, prosperity and well-being of rural Minnesotans for generations to come.”
Blue Earth-Nicollet-Faribault Cooperative Electric Association, or BENCO, will use a $525,000 grant to provide load management modernization that enables ongoing member involvement in a virtual power plant having up to 400 megawatts of flexible demand capabilities.
The investment will help BENCO continue providing electric service to nearly 20,000 south-central Minnesota customers and improve energy efficiency, increase grid stability, allow and provide greater flexibility in responding to temporary shifts in energy needs.
Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric will use a $16.6 million investment 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. These projects will create around 25 short-term jobs and reduce climate pollution by nearly 32,000 tons each year.