USDA provides $70.4 million for electric cooperatives

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded more than $70.4 million for projects aimed at increasing reliability of rural electric utility systems in Virginia.

The loans, which are part of the Electric Program of the Rural Utilities Service, target rural regions where capital is limited. The money is expected to help finance infrastructure upgrades and improve operations for rural electric customers in Virginia.

The loans were announced by Virginia Sens.  Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine.

The $70.4 million will be divided among the following Virginia electric cooperatives:

•       $28.2 million, BARC Electric Cooperative, Millboro:  BARC plans to build and improve 63 miles of electrical line, fund smart grid projects and make other system improvements. BARC Electric Cooperative will also use some of the money for the first phase of a system-wide fiber-optic communication network.
•       $23.8 million, Central Virginia Electric Cooperative, Arrington: The cooperative plans to build and improve 307 miles of electrical line, fund smart grid projects and make other system improvements.
•        $18.5 million, Northern Neck Electrical Cooperative: It plans to build and improve 89 miles of electrical line, fund smart grid projects and make other system improvements.