​NRECA filed a response to the Department of Energy's Request for Information (RFI) on its “Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas" program.  This new program, created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will make available $1 billion over 4 years for successful applicants to improve the overall cost-effectiveness of energy generation transmission or distribution systems, site or upgrade transmission and distribution lines, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide or modernize electric generation facilities, develop microgrids and increase energy efficiency.  The funds are targeted at areas with populations of fewer than 10,000 inhabitants.  In NRECA's response to the RFI, we emphasized the important facilitation and collaboration role that our consortiums can play in effectively deploying these funds, the federal grant management expertise NRECA brings to the funding opportunity, the community-based nature of electric cooperatives, and the unique ability NRECA members have to scale projects appropriately.  We urged DOE to develop simple and uniform application and reporting requirements and recommended that DOE lower the nonfederal cost share to 30% from 50% as a 50% cost share may pose a barrier to participation.

NRECA Comments on the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas Program

Fact Sheet Summarizing NRECA Comments on the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas Program