The United States Department of Agriculture is providing more than $203 million in loans to electric projects throughout Kentucky, including projects to improve electric service for many western Kentucky customers.
US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the loans will finance infrastructure projects, job creation and systematic improvements for rural electric customers.
"For 80 years, rural electric utilities have provided reliable and affordable electricity to help rural communities increase productivity and build stronger economies," said Vilsack. "These loans will help them continue to do that. The utilities and cooperatives will use some of the money to finance energy efficiency projects, renewable fuel systems and smart grid technologies to increase our energy independence and improve rural electric infrastructure."
Some $46.1 million in loans go towards Big Rivers Electric Corporation projects in western Kentucky aimed at bringing environmental systems up to federal mercury and air toxic standards as well as improve of utility line and build new substations and transformers.
West Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative is offered $25 million to build and improve 180 miles of utility line; that loan includes $4.8 million for smart grid projects.
Combined, Big Rivers and WKREC service some 146,000 members in 26 Kentucky counties.
Vilsack says the money is part of $3.6 billion in loans issued to 82 electric projects nationwide through the Rural Utilities Service. To date, USDA has invested $38 billion in electric loans and more than $1 billion for smart grid technologies nationwide.
The complete list of Kentucky utility groups receiving loans are: (in bold are groups with a majority of customers within the WKMS region)
· Big River Electric Corp. $25,630,000 To make environmental system improvements to meet federal regulations for Mercury and Air Toxic Standards
· Big River Electric Corp. $20,511,000 To improve 4 miles of line, build two new substations, install two transformers at an existing substation, and make other transmission system improvements.
· Big Sandy Rural Electric Cooperative Corp. $10,000,000 To build or improve 47 miles of line, and make other system improvements. The loan amount includes $392,975 for smart grid projects.
· Blue Grass Energy Cooperative Corp. $44,000,000 To build or improve 237 miles of line, and make other system improvements. The loan amount includes $6,142,240 for smart grid projects.
· Clark Energy Cooperative $20,000,000 To build or improve 155 miles of line, and make other system improvements. The loan amount includes $3,061,261 for smart grid projects.
· Cumberland Valley Electric $17,889,000 To build or improve 96 miles of line, and make other system improvements. The loan amount includes $3,665,099 for smart grid projects.
· West Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative Corp. $25,000,000 To build or improve 180 miles of line, and make other system improvements. The loan amount includes $4,890,569 for smart grid projects.
· South Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative Corp. $40,000,000 To build or improve 436 miles of line, and make other system improvements. The loan amount includes $805,000 for smart grid projects.
