The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program has awarded over $4.37 billion in clean energy projects, according to announcements made by US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act created the new ERA program, which provides member-owned rural electric cooperatives with program financing. The money will be used annually by rural electric cooperatives to boost jobs, slash business and family electricity bills, and lessen climate pollution.

Connexus Energy’s latest investments were highlighted by Andy Berke, Rural Utilities Service Administrator, at the company’s headquarters in Ramsey, Minnesota. Connexus plans to acquire more than 282 MW of sustainable hydro, solar, and wind energy using approximately $170 million in New ERA award cash.

Additionally, 20 MW of battery energy storage will be acquired by the cooperative. The initiatives will support around 400 employment, save expenses for its members in rural Minnesota, and cut annual climate pollution by over 1.1 million tons.

Cooperatives with locations in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Texas will receive $4.37 billion in loans and grants from USDA. Around 5,000 employment will be supported by the investments, which will also lower annual climate pollution by more than 11 million tons.

As an example:

• For rural towns in Colorado, CORE Electric Cooperative will invest $225 million to purchase 100 MW of battery energy storage and 550 MW of wind and solar power. It is anticipated that the project will assist the state achieve its net-zero climate emission targets, stabilize member costs, and support both temporary and permanent jobs.
• In over 20 rural areas throughout Georgia, Georgia Transmission Corporation plans to invest up to $325 million in a number of projects, including the installation of new transmission lines and the improvement of current transmission assets.
• In order to acquire 725 MW of wind and solar energy in Butler, Burt, and Custer counties, Nebraska Electric G&T will invest $200 million. The project will support up to 425 jobs, cut climate pollution by over 2.2 million tons annually, and provide enough electricity to power 170,000 homes annually.
• Oglethorpe Power Corporation will restructure outstanding loans for the retired Hal B. Wansley coal plant with an investment of $331.5 million. From 2025 to 2044, the refinance will save an average of $7.7 million in expenses year, which will be distributed to the 38 cooperative members it serves.
• In order to supply 47 counties in rural South Texas, San Miguel Electric Cooperative will invest more than $1.4 billion to acquire 600 MW of clean, renewable energy from solar voltaic panels and a battery energy storage system. In addition to supporting up to 600 employment, the initiative will cut climate pollution by almost 1.8 million tons annually, which is the same as taking 446,000 automobiles off the road.
• Through a combination of utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects located throughout rural Florida, Seminole Electric Cooperative will invest over $1.3 billion to acquire 700 MW of energy resources. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by about 3.5 million tons annually—the equivalent of taking 740,000 automobiles off the road annually—this initiative will sustain about 3,400 employment.
• In rural Arizona, Trico Electric Cooperative will invest about $43 million to acquire 80 MW of solar power and 80 MW of battery energy storage. The project will support up to 256 jobs, cut climate pollution by over 132,000 tons annually, and provide enough electricity to power almost 11,000 houses annually.
• More than 760 MW of renewable energy resources will be available in rural Colorado thanks to United Power’s almost $262 million investment to help offset the expense of its shift to a clean energy portfolio. Over 300 MW of solar, hydropower, and wind energy are currently part of United Power’s green portfolio, which also includes a project that offers tax breaks and job possibilities in an area that is underserved. The cooperative will be able to cut climate pollution by more than 2.1 million tons annually thanks to the New ERA investment.
• In order to supply northwestern Colorado and southern Wyoming with up to 150 MW of solar power and 75 MW of battery energy storage, Yampa Valley Electric Association will invest close to $50 million. Through an extended scholarship program, the project will help underserved communities, boost employment skills, and cut climate pollution by 255,000 tons annually.

Six further cooperatives have been chosen by USDA to proceed with the New ERA financing application process. These consist of:

• Grand Valley Rural Power Lines, Inland Power and Light Company in Washington and Idaho, 1803 Electric Cooperative in Louisiana, Pacific Northwest Generation Cooperative in Oregon, and Mountain Parks Electric and San Miguel Power Association in Colorado.
• In order to support rural electric cooperatives and their members, USDA has granted financing to 15 cooperatives through the New ERA program. Nearly $9 billion in New ERA-financed grants and loans are represented by the funds.