By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Springer Electric Coop officially dedicated their new one megawatt solar array Tuesday morning May 26 at their substation just north of the Springer.
Funding for the $3.4 million project came from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development along with an additional $10.6 million for other infrastructure improvements to the Springer Electric Coop system. Terry Brunner USDA Rural Development State Director told KRTN that the USDA recognized early on that it not only needed to help the agricultural industry but also needed to support those rural communities that supported agriculture. One way to help do that is by funding projects like this 3888 panel solar array that will provide enough electricity for about 400 Coop customers.
Brunner noted that it was exciting to be able to not only help fund this project but that it was a project that was so visible to so many as they drive by on I-25.
With that Springer Electric Board President Don Schutz cut the ribbon not with scissors but with the cowboy’s trusty tool a pocket knife.
SPEC Board Member Tim Morrow, Congressman Ben Ray Lujan, Terry Brunner USDA Rural Development Director, Pat Lyons, Public Regulation Commission, SPEC Board President Don Schutz, SPEC Board Member Bob Gillespie, David Spradlin Springer Electric Coop General Manager, SPEC Board Member Jerry Seward
