Federal Clean Energy Funds Offer Historic Boost for Rural Co-ops

With billions in federal grants teed up, the next two months will mark a once-in-a-generation opportunity for rural America’s electric cooperatives to keep pace with the country’s clean energy gains.

The window to submit letters of intent opened July 31 for a $9.7 billion New ERA competitive grant program, which will provide rural electric co-ops with dollars for renewable energy projects. An additional $1 billion under a similar program, known as PACE, became available in late June.

New ERA’s investment in electric co-ops will build equity in rural America, according to Rural Utilities Service Administrator Andrew Berke. Environmental groups say ...