ND Rural Electric Cooperatives headed to Washington

Fargo, N.D. (AP) North Dakota rural electric cooperatives are sending representatives to Washington this week to lobby Congress to increase federally guaranteed loans.

The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives estimates its members will spend 2 billion dollars over the next three years to upgrade transmission lines and emission controls.

The association's executive vice president, Dennis Hill, says the co-ops want Congress to raise the loan authority for a rural facilities program to more than 6 billion-dollars. He says that would help meet growing needs.

The Bush administration is recommending 4 billion dollars for the program next year.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 05-04-08 1100CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list