Tester Secures Nearly $5 Million for Ravalli Electric Cooperative to Protect Energy Grid Against Wildfire, Extreme Weather

Funding comes from the Senator’s bipartisan infrastructure law

As a direct result of his bipartisan infrastructure law, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today secured $4.9 million for Ravalli Electric Cooperative to install a battery energy storage system that increases reliability during outages and ensures backup power. This funding comes from the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) Program, which Tester funded through his Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

Tester worked with five Republicans and four Democrats to negotiate the IIJA and was the only member of Montana’s Congressional delegation to vote for the bill.

“Families, small businesses, and communities in Montana deserve certainty when it comes to their power grid, especially with more wildfires and extreme weather each year – and this funding for Ravalli Electric Cooperative is working to deliver that certainty to folks in Ravalli County,” said Tester. “I’m proud to have secured this funding from my bipartisan infrastructure law, and I’ll keep working to ensure our state’s power grid stays reliable.”

Tester secured significant wins for Montana in the IIJA, including $2.82 billion for Montana’s roads, highways and bridges; $2.5 billion to complete all authorized Indian water rights settlements; $1 billion to complete all authorized rural water projects through the Bureau of Reclamation; $65 billion to deploy broadband to areas across the country that lack internet access and additionally make online connectivity affordable; and $3.37 billion to reduce wildfire risk nationwide, among others. 

A full list of Montana provisions in Tester’s bipartisan infrastructure law can be found HERE.