Opportunity Map: New Funding for Rural Electric Cooperatives

As energy providers and economic anchors in their communities, rural electric cooperatives work every day to deliver affordable, reliable power in a dynamic and rapidly changing energy system.

The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act could drive more than $45 billion in new Federal investments to rural communities served by cooperatives. This law is expected to accelerate ongoing trends in clean energy deployment, electrification, and demand management, helping cooperatives respond to and lead through changes in the U.S. energy system.

This report maps these opportunities for cooperative directors and staff, outlining specific funding resources and programs available to help deliver cost savings for member-owners, create local jobs, build community wealth, and improve utility service and reliability.

Cooperatives can:

• Build and own low-cost clean energy generation

• Replace costly and aging generation assets

• Speed beneficial electrification and benefit from increased demand management capacities

• Deliver community benefits and grow regional economies

• Address energy burden and improve community health

These investments can drive a new century of economic growth and prosperity for rural communities — but it will be up to local leaders to bring the full promise of these opportunities home to their community.

Read the full report.