Connexus Awarded $170 Million Grant for Renewable Energy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 20, 2024

Ramsey, Minn. — On Dec. 19, the U.S. Department of Agriculture joined Connexus Energy to celebrate the electric cooperative’s nearly $170 million Empowering Rural America (New ERA) grant award to expand their renewable energy portfolio.

Connexus hosted a press conference at their Ramsey headquarters, featuring remarks from USDA Rural Utilities Service Administrator Andy Berke, Connexus Energy Board Chair Fran Bator, Minnesota Rural Electric Association CEO Darrick Moe, CURE Director of Rural Cooperative Energy Erik Hatlestad and Connexus CEO Brian Burandt.

“Since a small group of Anoka County farmers founded our rural electric cooperative in 1937 with a $160,000 loan from the Rural Utilities Services in Washington, D.C., Connexus has been focused on innovation and service for our members. Eighty-seven years later, we’re celebrating another transformative moment with the Rural Utilities Services,” shared Bator.

Burandt highlighted that the funding will support Connexus’ journey toward decarbonizing their resource portfolio, including 282 MW of wind, solar and hydro power, along with 20 MW of battery storage. 

“We’re excited to see these projects take shape,” said Burandt. “Our power supply diversity will help us mitigate risk and strengthen our energy resilience.”

For USDA’s press release, click here.

For the recording of the press conference, click here. 

Update on April 3, 2025

The funding to support New ERA was frozen under President Trump’s Executive Order 14154, Unleashing American Energy. The USDA recently announced that obligated funding will be released. Connexus is moving forward with their original proposal and awaiting official guidance from the Rural Utilities Service on next steps in contract negotiation.

New ERA overview

The Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program helps rural Americans transition to clean, affordable, and reliable energy. By reducing air and water pollution, New ERA funding improves health outcomes and lower energy costs for people in rural communities. New ERA program funding is available to member-owned rural electric cooperatives, which have been the backbone of America’s rural power delivery for nearly a century. 

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