Eric Eriksen, CEO of the San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, has been pivotal in securing $1.7 million in federal funding for solar projects. This cooperative serves over 7,500 residents in southern Colorado but faces challenges, such as older equipment and limited financial resources compared to for-profit utilities. Following Eriksen's leadership, the cooperative applied for substantial federal grants as part of Biden-era legislation. Despite receiving funding, ongoing political shifts are delaying further essential support for rural electrification, affecting their ability to implement renewable energy projects.
Ratepayers themselves own rural electric cooperatives and elect the board of directors. Co-ops tend to have older equipment than for-profit utilities.
Even then, they knew, the application might be denied. It paid off: The electric cooperative was awarded $1.7 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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