Original article written by Keaton Peters, High Country News

(Electric co-ops) are often at the center of what is going on in a community, and they need to thrive for rural America to grow and prosper.

Keaton Peters, High Country News

This article highlights the challenges and opportunities faced by rural electric cooperatives in the U.S., particularly in the wake of major federal funding initiatives introduced under the Biden administration. It centres on the story of Rick Eriksen, CEO of the San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative in Colorado, who led his small team through the demanding process of applying for federal clean energy grants. Their efforts were successful, securing $1.7 million to build two solar farms, only to be stalled by an executive order from President Trump that paused climate and energy spending shortly afterward.

Rural electric cooperatives, which are member-owned and often financially constrained, have historically lagged behind in adopting clean energy technology due to limited resources and ageing infrastructure. In response, the U.S. Department of Agriculture rolled out major funding programmes, most notably the $9.7 billion New ERA and $1 billion PACE initiatives, as part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. These programmes represent the most significant investment in rural electrification since the 1930s, aiming to support clean energy development and infrastructure upgrades in underserved rural areas.

The article underscores how critical these cooperatives are to their communities, not just as energy providers, but as economic and social pillars. It also raises concerns about the future of these transformative investments under changing political leadership, as ongoing federal support remains uncertain. It offers an insightful look into the intersection of rural energy, federal policy, and the climate transition in the U.S.

Find out more below: