Luján: $94 Million in USDA Funds Will Improve Rural Electric Grid Efficiency and Reliability

Press Release

Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico's Third District highlight two rural electric projects serving New Mexico that will receive a combined $93,906,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to update rural electric grids and implement new smart grid technology.

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. is receiving a $72,977,700 loan to upgrade generation and transmission facilities, improve 50 miles of transmission line, and build a substation. The project will serve Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming in addition to New Mexico. Rio Grande Electric Cooperative, Inc. is receiving a $20,929,000 loan to build 495 miles of distribution line and make system improvements in Texas and New Mexico. Both projects include funding for smart grid projects, allotting a combined $19,409,000 to improve the efficiency of the current energy grid.

"Continued funding to support rural electric projects is essential to providing New Mexicans with the infrastructure they need to strengthen rural economies," Congressman Luján said. "These important federal funds will assist in the continued effort to improve the quality of electric infrastructure and pave the way for more efficient energy generation and transmission in New Mexico."

This latest round of funding from USDA includes more than $126 million in loans to upgrade rural electric infrastructure, with more than $20 million in smart grid funding, in eight states including New Mexico.

Source