Billions in federal funding are set to help western co-ops add reliable, inexpensive renewable energy.
On September 5th, 2024, the federal government announced the first round of funding from the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program. The $7.3 billion in federal support will revitalize America’s rural energy generation through investments in 16 rural electric cooperatives. The co-ops are set to add 10,000 MW of clean electricity, including investments in wind, solar, agrivoltaics, and battery storage that will benefit roughly 20% of rural Americans.
It’s been over two years since the IRA officially funded the New ERA program. Since then, WORC has partnered with allies like the Rural Power Coalition to encourage rural electric coops serving western states to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The RPC, alongside WORC, mobilized public comments, met with members of Congress, and consulted with USDA officials to ensure that New ERA funds help drive a just transition for rural communities. In WORC’s region alone, New ERA funding will help coops including Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Great River Energy, Minnkota Power Cooperative, and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. procure 4,525 megawatts of clean, renewable energy and create just under 6,000 short and long-term jobs.“It’s great news that Basin Electric has been awarded New ERA program funds to modernize our rural electric co-ops with additional renewable projects,” said Kristin Aus, rancher and Northern Plains Resource Council member from Dawson County, Montana. “These investments will lower power bills, create good-paying clean energy jobs, and reduce harmful pollution keeping our families healthy.”
“These investments will lower power bills, create good-paying clean energy jobs, and reduce harmful pollution keeping our families healthy.”
-Montana rancher Kristin Aus
Federal investments in rural clean energy also come with big economic benefits. As a part of the New ERA program, each recipient is required to submit Community Benefits Plans (CBPs) focusing on workforce development, agricultural sustainability, and community safety. “North Dakota Native Vote plans to engage with North Dakota’s tribal members to make sure we are pushing for substantial, tangible community benefits for rural communities so we can say goodbye to high energy costs and hello to a sustainable, reliable energy future,” said North Dakota Native Vote Executive Director Nicole Donaghy.
Keep up to date with grassroots organizing in the West with WORC’s newsletter.
For most rural coops, developing a CBP will be a new practice. The WORC network organizations hope to be instrumental in collaborating with rural electric coops throughout the process. “We at DRC are eager to collaborate with Basin Electric on their Community Benefits Plan, ensuring that rural communities across North Dakota directly benefit from this investment, fostering economic growth and long-term sustainability for generations to come,” said Dakota Resource Council Executive Director Scott Skokos.
Rural places have always been America’s powerhouses. The New ERA funding hopes to leverage the abundant renewable energy resources and workers in rural places to create a transition that supports workers and communities for the long term. “We need this energy innovation to meet the challenges that rural communities face in the 21st century,” said Aus.
Learn more:
Rural Electric Co-ops are critical to fighting climate change. Here’s why.
Yes, I want to help WORC elevate Western voices and hold decision-makers accountable!