Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that two New Mexico electrical cooperatives have been approved for federal government loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Program. 

The Central New Mexico Electrical Cooperative, Inc. has been approved for a $27.6 million loan to expand service to 1,558 new consumers.  Funding will be used to construct 141 miles of new distribution line, 112 miles of improved distribution lines, construct three miles of new transmission lines and make other system improvements.  The co-op serves customers in Bernalillo, Chaves, De Baca, Guadalupe, Lincoln, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Socorro and Torrance Counties.

The Southwestern Electric Cooperative, which serves Harding, Quay and Union counties, has been approved for a $10.67 million loan.  Funding will be used to expand services to 240 new consumers and will be used to construct 75 miles of new distribution line, make improvements to 9 miles of distribution line, construct 15 miles of new transmission lines and make other system improvements.

"The loans approved today will help expand electrical services to more New Mexicans," Bingaman said.