IRA REC Public Sessions Start this Week
After the Rural Power Coalition (and supporters like you) called for the USDA to provide additional opportunities for stakeholder feedback, the Rural Utility Service has scheduled 13 virtual round table discussions. Unfortunately, the schedule was only released last week, and the sessions start this week!
The round tables are regarding Inflation Reduction Act Sections 22001 and 22004, which respectively provide $1B in forgivable loans for renewable energy projects in rural communities and $9.7B for electric co-op G&Ts to transition to clean energy.
During these sessions, the Rural Power Coalition wants to raise four main topics and has drafted a list of talking points speakers can highlight in their remarks during the listening session(s) to emphasize these areas of interest.
Your input will help guide the Rural Utility Service on how to structure these historic programs and help RUS staff weigh the priorities of people like you against the priorities of utility staff. Your voice could help RUS staff determine how to balance funding awards to small and large applicants, how to calculate emissions reductions, and how to prioritize investments in disadvantaged rural communities.
The Rural Utility Service is looking for public input on how to structure the programs laid out in IRA sections 22004 and 22001 from:
rural communities
rural electric cooperative member-owners
supporters of energy democracy and environmental justice
These public round tables will likely be the last (and best!) opportunity for rural communities to have their voices heard on how these major investments in the clean energy transition will be implemented in rural communities across the country.
Key resources:
If you have any questions, please email Erik Hatlestad at info@ruralpower.us
Highlighted Listening Sessions
Environmental Stakeholders
Wednesday, January 18, 2023 | 3:00 p.m. EST
Equity Stakeholders
Wednesday, January 25, 2023 | 1:00 p.m. EST
Regional Listening Sessions
Region 1:
AL, CT, DE, FL, GA, KY, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, WV
Electrical Generation & Transmission entities in RUS Region 1
Tuesday, January 17, 2023 | 10:00 a.m. EST
Webinar Registration
Distribution Cooperatives in RUS Region 1
Friday, January 20, 2023 | 11:00 a.m. EST
Webinar Registration
Region 2:
AK, AR, HI, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI, MS, MO, NE, OK, TX
Region 2 G&T Entities
Friday, January 20, 2023 | 3:30 p.m. EST
Webinar Registration
Distribution Cooperatives in RUS Region 2
Tuesday, January 24, 2023 | 11:00 a.m. EST
Webinar Registration
Region 3:
AZ, CA, CO, ID, MN, MT, NV, NM, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, WI, WY and all Territories
Region 3 G&T Entities
Monday, January 23, 2023 | 3:00 p.m. EST
Webinar Registration
Region 3 Distribution Cooperatives
Thursday, January 26, 2023 | 4:00 p.m. EST
Webinar Registration
Additional Sessions
Rural Mayors
Tuesday, January 17, 2023 | 4:00 p.m. EST
Labor Stakeholders
Wednesday, January 18, 2023 | 10:00 a.m. EST
Clean Energy Stakeholders
Thursday, January 19, 2023 | 3:00 p.m. EST
Engineers
Monday, January 23, 2023 | 11:00 a.m. EST
Tribes, Tribal Utilities and Tribal Entities
Tuesday, January 24, 2023 | 3:00 p.m. EST