BEL’s Technical Support Secures $28M in GRIP Funding to Transform Grid Infrastructure in Rural Communities

“RESIST  Disruptions Project” to Strengthen Grid Resilience and Mitigate Disruptions Across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania

As part of the Appalachian Region Community-Owned Grid Resilient Infrastructure Project (ARCO-GRIP), ARC awardee the Beneficial Electrification League (BEL) has worked to identify electric sector infrastructure investment needs for small community-owned utilities. Leveraging a $500,000 planning grant, BEL assessed various funding opportunities at both federal and state levels, including the Department of Energy’s (DOE) $10.5 billion Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program. Working with partner utilities across the Appalachian region, BEL helped submit concept papers, and for those that were encouraged by the DOE, provided detailed technical assistance for full applications.

BEL is excited to continue this important work under a recently awarded five-year $4,500,000 funding grant from the ARC. Learn more.

On October 18th, 2024, the DOE announced its latest round of GRIP awardees, including the BEL-supported Resilience to Intense Storm and Invasive Species-Triggered Disruptions (RESIST Grid Disruptions) Project. Led by the Delaware County Electric Cooperative (DCEC), this innovative project will bring together six small rural electric cooperatives: Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative (PA), Oneida-Madison Electric Cooperative (NY), Otsego Electric Cooperative (NY), Steuben Rural Electric Cooperative (NY), and Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative (NJ). The project aims to fortify nearly 6,500 miles of distribution lines, which serve over 43,000 consumers, to withstand disruptions and damage caused by invasive species.

With an investment of $37 million, the RESIST project will employ advanced technologies such as real-time monitoring systems, drone-based inspections, and smart grid management solutions. These technologies, combined with predictive analytics, will enable a proactive approach to addressing severe weather and ecological challenges allowing all utilities in the region to benefit.

“We are excited to lead the RESIST Grid Disruptions Project, which will not only improve the reliability of our grid but also generate economic opportunities for our region,” said John Gasstrom, CEO of DCEC. “By integrating cutting-edge technologies, we are confident this project will significantly boost resilience, decrease outages, and enhance the overall service for our members.”

We are thrilled to be part of the RESIST Grid Disruptions project, which aligns with our commitment to addressing the increasing challenges posed by climate events and invasive species,” said Chris Reese, President & CEO of Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative. “By investing in modern infrastructure and workforce development, this project will improve grid stability and reduce outage costs, directly benefiting our members and the broader community.”

“At Otsego, we believe in forward-thinking solutions that safeguard our grid and enhance reliability for rural communities,” said Tim Johnson, CEO of Otsego Electric Cooperative. “This project represents a vital step toward building a resilient electric network that can withstand future challenges while supporting sustainable growth.”

“The RESIST Grid Disruptions project exemplifies the power of collaboration among rural cooperatives to address shared challenges,” said Brian Bell, CEO of Oneida-Madison Electric Cooperative. “Our members depend on reliable service, and this project will provide the tools and technologies necessary to enhance grid resilience, reduce outage durations, and support our local economy.”

“Participating in the RESIST Grid Disruptions project allows us to reinforce our grid infrastructure, adopt new technologies, and build capacity to manage future disruptions,” said Bryant Dillon, General Manager at Steuben Rural Electric Cooperative. “This initiative will empower our cooperative to provide even better service while contributing to the overall resilience of the rural energy system.”

Keith Dennis, President of BEL, added, “We are proud to support DCEC and the RESIST project. The technological innovations in this initiative will safeguard the grid from future disruptions and serve as a blueprint for cooperatives across the country. We thank the ARC and the DOE for supporting these vital electric infrastructure investments in rural communities.”

For more information, see the DOE’s GRIP announcement here and the RESIST Grid Disruptions project factsheet here.