The Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program is helping rural Americans new clean, affordable, and reliable energy while reducing air and water pollution, New ERA funding improves health outcomes and lowers energy costs for people in rural communities.

San Miguel Power Association, Inc. hopes to use this $9.8 million New ERA investment to partner with the communities of the west end of Montrose County, Colorado, to build a new local solar facility that does not impact agricultural land, accounts for and minimizes visual impact, and unlocks a host of benefits for the local stakeholders that participate in the Community Benefits Plan for this project. The array will be capable of producing 20 megawatts of renewable clean energy, while generating benefits such as jobs and tax revenue for the communities that organize and host the project. The annual energy output from the solar array will generate enough energy to power 5,330 households annually and help reduce wholesale power costs to all members of the cooperative.

“New ERA represents a significant opportunity for SMPA to once again partner with our local communities that are experiencing impacts from the retirement of fossil fuel generation.” said SMPA CEO Brad Zaporski. “This is a shining example of partnership in action to help bolster our rural communities.”