Members-owners of Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) will see energy savings, improved reliability and increased value as a result of a $38 million grant announced today by the U.S. Department of Energy. (Read the related DOE media release.)

“This game-changing grant will support REC’s commitment to strengthening a grid that allows us to provide the value, energy savings and reliability that our members expect and deserve,” said John Hewa, President and CEO.

“REC has always been a member-focused cooperative, and this funding will allow us to do even more to support the membership, communities and businesses we are so proud to serve.”

Over the five years of this project, the matching grant through the Energy Department’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships Program means REC members will see benefits including:

• Advanced metering infrastructure that will help members make changes to increase energy efficiency in their homes and businesses.
• Technology to allow members to access variable rate plans that could lead to lower electric bills.
• Energy audits to help building owners identify opportunities to reduce their energy use and save money, especially buildings that consume large amounts of power and have higher emissions.
• A platform that provides real-time grid data, allowing REC to better manage its electrical load and improve reliability for all member-owners.
• The continued buildout of REC’s fiber network to support the deployment of broadband and economic development.
• New technology to help REC harness the potential of innovative renewable energy and support electric vehicle charging.
• Upgrades that will allow the Cooperative to improve resilience of the electric grid and more quickly restore power after an outage.

The projects funded by this grant will support construction and system modernization across REC’s entire distribution system, including Small Disadvantaged Community areas in the counties of Louisa, Culpeper, Caroline and Essex, among others.

“We know our members are looking toward the future and so are we,” said REC Board member Eric Paulson. “I take tremendous pride in my role on the REC Board, and this funding will help REC member-owners like me save money and ensure we all have reliable power not only today, but for many years ahead.”

REC provides electric service to over 176,000 connections in parts of 22 Virginia counties. With its general office in Fredericksburg, Va., the Cooperative operates and maintains more than 18,000 miles of power lines through its service area, which ranges from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay. For more information about REC, please visit www.myrec.coop. Follow REC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.