Rural electric cooperatives and small power producers across the nation have 30 days to “voluntarily revise” project plans eligible for grant money from the Inflation Reduction Act that was conditioned on complying with certain climate and diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility mandates imposed by former President Joe Biden that were cancelled by President Donald Trump’s Jan. 20 executive order, said the agency.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the release of previously obligated funding under the Rural Energy For America Program, Empowering Rural America and Powering Affordable Clean Energy programs.

Colorado’s CORE Electrical Cooperative, the state’s largest, with more than 175,000 members, was awarded a $225 million grant to build 550 megawatts of wind and solar energy, and 100 megawatts of battery energy storage for rural communities in Colorado in December by the USDA.

“The New ERA funding is an integral part of CORE’s broader strategy to ensure reliable and safe power and maintain stable rates for our members, while in alignment with Colorado’s greenhouse gas reduction objectives,” said Pam Feuerstein, CORE CEO.

“We are evaluating the guidance from (USDA) and look forward to continuing to work with federal partners to advance CORE’s projects under the New ERA funding opportunity,” said Amber King, communications manager for CORE, in a statement to The Denver Gazette.

USDA said the updated guidance “reflects a broader shift away from the Green New Deal and the so-called Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and toward practical energy investments that prioritize the needs of rural communities.”

“President Trump made tackling America’s energy emergency a top priority from day one, and this review allows rural energy providers and small businesses to realign their projects with that mission,” said Rollins. “We’re ensuring these investments support U.S. energy production while putting America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural businesses first.”

The Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association said the release of funds will support the cooperative’s investments in infrastructure to “bring affordable and reliable power to the families, farmers, ranchers and industries we together serve across the rural West.”

“Tri-State is glad to see that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has completed its review and is releasing funding for the New ERA Program,” said Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association CEO Duane Highley in a statement. “We appreciate the work of Secretary Rollins and her team to advance the program, and we will be reviewing the USDA’s guidance and look forward to continuing our work through their process.”

The Colorado Rural Electric Association also applauded the move.

“The Colorado Rural Electric Association applauds the announcement by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins regarding a path forward for many important electric co-op projects under the New ERA and PACE programs,” Executive Director Kent Singer said in an emailed statement. “These projects will improve the resiliency of the Colorado electric co-op grid and will help co-ops provide reliable and affordable power. We also appreciate the tremendous support of Colorado’s congressional delegation which has advocated on behalf of co-ops for the disbursement of funds under these programs.”

Other Colorado rural power producers receiving grants include:

• United Power

• Yampa Valley Electric Association

• Grand Valley Rural Power Lines Inc.

• Mountain Parks Electric Inc.

• San Miguel Power Association Inc.