The 3M Aluminum Conductor Composite Reinforced (ACCR), an overhead transmission conductor designed to more than double transmission capacity without rebuilding or replacing towers, is now eligible for use in projects financed by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Electric Programs.

The Electric Programs Technical Standards Committee “A” of RUS has granted “conditional acceptance” for 3M ACCR to be included on its IP 202-1 List of Materials Acceptable for Use on Systems of USDA Rural Development Electrification Borrowers when RUS financing is involved. “Conditional” means the borrower's permission is required, and the conductor should be installed according to 3M's recommendations.

3M ACCR is already in use by major utilities in the United States, Canada, Brazil, China and India as a means of upgrading transmission lines in locations where tower construction could pose costly and time-consuming environmental and logistical problems.

In rural areas in particular, the lightweight, low-sag conductor enables the use of fewer or shorter towers across environmentally sensitive rivers and wetlands, helping to preserve the natural environment. In addition, the low-sag properties assist in improving or maintaining clearances across pastures and grazing lands, as well as above distribution or telecommunication wires that may run on the same or under-built poles.

To receive the Technical Standard Committee “A” conditional acceptance, 3M demonstrated that 3M ACCR was developed and tested according to industry standards, passed all pertinent tests, is in commercial field use, and is manufactured in the United States or eligible countries. In addition, 3M had to show that the entire system required for use of the conductor, including accessories and installation procedures, is readily available and meets RUS requirements.

Under the authority of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, the Electric Programs of the Rural Utilities Service, which is part of the Department of Agriculture, makes direct loans and loan guarantees to electric utilities serving rural customers. These programs help finance electric distribution, transmission and generation facilities, as well as demand-side management, energy conservation, and on- and off-grid renewable energy systems.