Texas Electric Co-Op To Receive $35.5 Million For Smart Grid, Tech Upgrades

Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley today announced that USDA is providing $858 million in loans to upgrade rural electric systems in 17 states (PDF, 111 KB). The funding includes $64 million to finance smart grid technologies that improve system operations and monitor grid security.

In Texas, the North Plains Electric Cooperative will receive $35,440,000. This Rural Development investment will be used to build and improve 163 miles of line and invest $351,000 in smart grid technologies to improve system efficiencies and resilience.

North Plains provides electric service to more than 7,000 residential and commercial customers over 3,779 miles of line across Ochiltree, Roberts, Hansford, Wheeler, Lipscomb, Hutchinson and Hemphill counties in the northeast Texas panhandle.

“Investing in our nation’s electric infrastructure powers our economy, creates jobs and helps deliver services such as education, training and health care to build stronger rural communities,” Baxley said. “These loans will help rural electric cooperatives generate and distribute power to keep systems reliable and affordable for those who live and work in rural areas.”