Dairyland Power Cooperative has officially secured a $595 million grant through the New Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program, reaffirmed by the Trump Administration on April 17, 2025. Originally announced in September 2024, the funding aims to bolster rural energy infrastructure and accelerate the cooperative's clean energy transition.

Backed by President Donald Trump and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, the grant will support major initiatives in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, including over 1,000 megawatts of clean energy through power purchase agreements.

The funding is expected to:

• Diversify energy resources to enhance U.S. energy independence

• Apply downward pressure on energy rates for rural communities

• Improve grid resilience through critical transmission line upgrades

According to Dairyland President and CEO Brent Ridge, the New ERA award aligns with federal energy goals while promoting job creation, local economic growth, and tax revenue increases.

In partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Dairyland will expedite infrastructure development to meet rising energy demands and reduce carbon intensity. The initiative supports a balanced energy mix while ensuring reliability and affordability across its service area.

Dairyland began its journey toward the award by submitting a Letter of Interest in September 2023, followed by a full application and official grant confirmation in September 2024.

Source: dairylandpower.com