20 minute read
A RESPONSIBLE ENERGY PLAN
A RESPONSIBLE ENERGY PLAN Transition to greener power underway for co-op power supplier
BY KENT SINGER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
In January, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association (a member of the Colorado Rural Electric Association) announced that over the next 10 years it will retire its coal-fired power plants in Colorado and replace those sources of electricity generation with wind and solar power. By the end of 2030, Tri-State will no longer operate any coal-fired plants in Colorado, thus reducing the company’s carbon emissions from its Colorado plants by 90% and reducing carbon emissions from all electric sales in Colorado by 70%. (Tri-State will continue to import some coal-fired power from sources outside of Colorado.)
This is an historic decision by Tri-State, which provides wholesale power supply to every Colorado electric distribution co-op except Grand Valley Power, Yampa Valley Electric Association, Holy Cross Energy and Intermountain Rural Electric Association. Along with the announcement of the coal plant retirements, Tri-State announced the addition of nearly 1 gigawatt (1,000 megawatts) of new renewable energy capacity to its generation resources. These new wind and solar projects will be located across Colorado, creating temporary construction jobs as well as permanent maintenance positions. After its Responsible Energy Plan is completed, Tri-State will have more than 2,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity on its 3,000 megawatt system.
Tri-State’s new direction regarding its power portfolio is driven by several factors. In 2019, the Colorado General Assembly adopted legislation (H.B. 19-1261) that requires significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions from all industries operating in the state. Although the rules for the implementation of this legislation have not been finalized, it’s clear that electric utilities will be required to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels in the near future. Tri-State’s need to comply with the Colorado law is an important factor in its recent announcements.
But even absent a legislative mandate, the rapidly decreasing costs of renewable energy make those resources more attractive today than they were just a few short years ago. You may recall that, in 2013, Tri-State, along with CREA, opposed Senate Bill 13-252 that increased the renewable energy requirements for Colorado’s electric co-ops. As recently as seven years ago, the cost of renewable energy was significantly higher than it is today and, at that time, we were concerned that a requirement for more renewables would increase rates to co-op consumer-members. With improved technology and economies of scale, wind and solar generating plants today can provide cost-effective energy while at the same time reducing carbon emissions.
Perhaps the most important driver in Tri-State’s course change, however, is the desire by many of Tri-State’s members for the co-op to diversify its power supply and include more renewable energy. Tri-State is owned by its 43 distribution co-op and public power district members who are in turn owned by their consumer-members. One of the key principles of the cooperative business model is “democratic member control” and that means the members at the end of the line have input into Tri-State’s resource decisions. In making these adjustments to its power supply portfolio, Tri-State is also honoring this core co-op principle.
KENT SINGER
This new path for Tri-State does not come without challenges. On the operations side, Tri-State will have to figure out how to best balance its members’ power needs with an ever-increasing array of intermittent generating resources. This may require the deployment of new technologies and operating procedures in order for Tri-State to maintain the same level of reliable power supply that Colorado’s electric co-ops have enjoyed for decades.
More important than the reliability challenges, however, is the impact of Tri-State’s new direction on current Tri-State employees. Several hundred men and women who currently work at the Tri-State coal plants and coal mines that are being retired will be affected by this decision. These are folks who, in many cases, have spent their careers and much of their adult lives serving you, the citizens of rural Colorado. They have done this difficult and sometimes dangerous work so you could have light and power. They did it without asking for recognition or praise, but simply for the satisfaction of helping their communities.
They deserve to be thanked and supported in this time of transition.
Kent Singer is the executive director of the Colorado Rural Electric Association and offers a statewide perspective on issues affecting electric cooperatives. CREA is the trade association for your electric co-op, the 21 other electric co-ops in Colorado and its power supply co-op.
The legacy of Colorado electric co-op heroes FROM THE EDITOR
BY MONA NEELEY EDITOR
This is the Colorado Rural Electric Association’s 75th year of representing Colorado’s electric cooperatives as their statewide trade association. CREA and the co-ops are excited for the next 75 years, but before we move ahead, let’s take a quick look back.
When I was hired back in 1994, there were still CREA board members who remembered the lights coming on, including the late Mick Geesen from Mountain View Electric and the late Ray Macht from La Plata Electric.
Mick was only 21 when he arrived in Colorado in 1941 to start ranching on family land. He moved from an area with electricity and knew what a difference it would make for his home outside of Agate. So, he went to work to sign up enough members that the fledgling local co-op could qualify for a Rural Electrification Administration loan to build its system. And he stayed for
MONA NEELEY 50 years, guiding the local co-op.
R a y w a s another young rancher who saw the benefits of electricity. Pagosa Springs, only 4 miles from his place, had power and when the nearby La Plata Electric bought the city system and started expanding, Ray was ready. He rented equipment and began digging holes for power poles along his driveway and toward town, even using dynamite in the rocky spots.
Ray believed in the rural electric program so much that he immediately got elected to the board and spent the next 50 years helping guide the growing co-op.
These men are just two of so many heroic co-op pioneers. Their legacy is now carried into the future by the dedicated directors serving your electric co-op today.
Mona Neeley is the statewide editor of Colorado Country Life, which is published in coordination with your local electric cooperative.
RULES: Colorado Country Life is looking for pet stories explaining what makes your pet special or what amazing things your pet has done. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place and runners up published in the magazine will be awarded cash. Stories will be published in the September magazine. Rules for the contest are as follows: 1. Story must be told in no more than 300 words. 2. Deadline to enter is May 22. Entry must be received in the office by 4:30 p.m. 3. Entries may be typed or handwritten. 4. Photo of the pet must be included with the entry. If the photo is sent digitally, it must be at least 4X5 inches in size at 300 dpi. 5. Digital entries must be sent to info@coloradocountrylife.org. 6. Mailed entries must be sent to Pet Story Contest, Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216.
Questions may be sent to info@coloradocountrylife.org. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Compassion Via a Lightbulb I can’t thank you enough for the inspirational and heartwarming piece about the Colorado and Oklahoma linemen who performed philanthropic work last summer in Guatemala (“Bringing Light, Finding Joy” December ’19). Citizens of Central America and poor nations around the world are often casti gated as being unworthy of the compassion and generosity we take for granted in America. And many Americans have never experienced firsthand the extreme poverty and injustices evident in poor countries around the world.
The article correctly notes that, in spite of unimaginable economic conditions, these citizens are able to find joy and hope in something as simple as a single lightbulb brought into their homes. The 20 lineworkers who participated undoubtedly also discovered joy and hope in their mission, and I’ll bet their lives will forever be changed for the better. Jim Little, Wetmore San Isabel Electric consumer-member
A Lower Carbon Footprint Reading the December issue, [I saw] a picture of former Gov. Bill Ritter and Tri-State Generation and Transmission CEO Duane Highley at the CREA Energy Innovations Summit. I noticed about six plastic bottles of water on a table in front of them. On the next page is an article on co-ops working to lower carbon energy use. Let’s try to use glass or reusable water containers as much as possible and we will work to lower carbon energy use together. M. Cary, Kremmling Mountain Parks Electric consumer-member
More Energy Efficiency The coal plant retirements and new renewable energy projects announced by Tri-State Generation and Transmission are big steps in the right direction. But more should be done if Tri-State is to truly respond to the threat of catastrophic climate change in a responsible manner. In particular, Tri-State should expand the energy efficiency programs it implements together with its member cooperatives. Howard Geller, executive director Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
SEND US YOUR LETTERS
Editor Mona Neeley at 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 or at mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org. Include full name and contact information.
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Energy-Saving Landscaping Tips
The decisions you make about your home’s landscaping can help you stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. With summer around the corner, take a look at how strategic planting can help cool your home. Direct sunlight hitting windows is a major contributor to overheating the home during summer months. By planting trees that block sunlight, you can improve comfort and reduce air-conditioning energy use. If the trees eventually grow tall enough to shield the roof, that’s even better.
The most important windows to shade are the ones facing west, followed by windows that face east. Morning and evening sunlight hits the home more directly than midday sunlight. Also, an eave on the south side of the home can help shade windows during midday sun.
If you live in one of Colorado’s cooler areas, planting deciduous trees that lose their leaves in the fall will shield your windows in summer and allow sunlight in during winter to help warm your home. A simple approach that can deliver some shade the first year is to plant a “living wall” of vines grown on a trellis next to the home.
There are two other important factors to consider in some areas of Colorado: 1. Water is becoming more precious and expensive. When you pay your water bill, much of that cost is for the energy required to pump water to your home, or perhaps you have your own well. Either way, reducing water use saves money and reduces energy use. 2. If you live in an area that has wildfires, definitely take it into consideration as you develop a landscaping plan. What and where you plant on your property can either increase or decrease the risk of fire reaching your home. Planting a row of shrubs a foot from the home can provide more efficiency in cooler climates. By stopping air movement, it can form a dead air space around the home that acts as “bonus” insulation.
These are just a few ideas to help you get started. Also remember that, as with any landscaping projects that require digging, it’s important to call 811 to ensure all underground utility lines are properly marked and flagged before you start the work. Happy planting! BY PAT KEEGAN AND BRAD THIESSEN
Carbon Reduction Options
DID YOU KNOW that nearly 40 percent of SDCEA’s every-day power supply to all of our consumers comes from renewable energy sources? For our consumers who would like to invest in options to further reduce their carbon footprint from using electricity, we o er the following programs. For details, or to sign up for these programs, visit our website: myelectric.coop and click on the Save Energy and Money tab.
THREE WAYS TO ADD MORE RENEWABLE ENERGY TO YOUR ACCOUNT
1. GREEN BLOCKS PROGRAM - If you would like to make an immediate addition of renewable energy to o set your electricity use and have enough in your budget to spend a little more on your monthly bill: SDCEA’s Green Blocks Program provides you the opportunity to purchase 100-kilowatt-hour blocks of electricity generated from renewable sources to o set your usage without having to make an expensive investment in equipment and installation of rooftop equipment to do so. As an electric distribution cooperative, SDCEA purchases wholesale power to send out along the lines and infrastructure we develop and maintain. For an extra 40 cents per month for each block, you will direct SDCEA’s power supplier to purchase additional renewable energy to power and o set a portion, or all, of your electric consumption at your home or business. This option allows you, as a consumer, individual choice to elect to support increased renewable energy use without passing the cost of purchasing that power on to other consumers. There is no limit to the number of blocks you can purchase. SDCEA has committed to this program and proudly supplies our headquarters in Buena Vista and our warehouse in Westcli e with 100 percent green energy-o sets.
2. COMMUNITY SOLAR is a new option for consumers who would like to invest extra funds each month to buy into locally-generated energy output from SDCEA’s Trout Creek Solar facility. This program is also suited for you if you are not able to, or do not want to, install solar panels at your home or business. The community solar program allows interested consumers to purchase a subscription for a portion of the power generated at Trout Creek Solar, a solar facility south of Buena Vista. Published subscription rates for residential and non-residential consumers are available on our website under the Members Only sign-in. Please refer to the Rate Schedules under MyPro le>Documents. 3. ROOF-TOP SOLAR - Interested in adding private solar, wind or hydro energy to your account? We’re here to help. As a matter of fact, SDCEA has one of the highest percentages of roof-top solar penetration in the state of Colorado. Consumer-owned solar, wind or hydro involves signi cant up-front costs or nancing for a longterm investment, which requires careful analysis. Give us a call to ask questions, to nd out what size and type of system may work best for you, and to learn how our program works. We’ll give you the information you need and explain what SDCEA requirements you will need to meet before you talk to a solar installer or invest in solar.
Rebates Smart investments in energy e ciency can save you money and reduce your carbon footprint. SDCEA and our power supplier, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, have teamed up to bring you rebates for installing Energy Star-rated water heaters and Energy Star-rated appliances, lighting and outdoor power equipment. Want to learn more? Go to our website, myelectric.coop, click on Save Energy & Money and head to the Rebates tab.
Be an informed consumer SDCEA has a tool on our website and on our smartphone app which allows you, as a consumer to sign into your account and review your energy usage history. That review can help identify potentially wasteful energy use and ways to use energy wisely. On the app, you may look at your energy usage yearly, monthly, daily, and even hourly. For example, you could compare January to January to see that you are using more energy and then try to nd out if you are using more heating. Or, you could look at a day’s hourly use to see that you have high usage in the morning hours, say between 7 to 11 a.m., to discover that you have left your co ee maker on when it was no longer needed.
Automated payments SDCEA now o ers an automated payment account option. This means that you no longer need to drop o or mail your payment and you can choose to no longer receive paper bills. By participating in this program, you help reduce the resources expended by yourself and SDCEA each month.
Carbon Reduction Options
Sangre de Cristo Electric Association’s wholesale power provider is Tri-State Generation and Transmission (Tri-State). The power we purchase from Tri-State is then delivered through lines and equipment that SDCEA builds and maintains. SDCEA has a long-term electric power contract with Tri-State, which obligates Tri-State to meet all of our power needs, while requiring us to purchase a minimum of 95% of our power exclusively from them. This contract makes SDCEA a member-owner of Tri-State and allows us to supply 5% of our power from locallygenerated renewable energy. As an owner of Tri-State, SDCEA directly bene ts from more than 475 MW of utilityscale wind, solar and other renewable projects currently online. Therefore, more than 30% of the power we receive from TriState is from emissions-free sources. An additional 10% of SDCEA’s power supply is sourced from locally-produced renewable energy sources, including the Trout Creek Solar project south of Buena Vista. Tri-State is currently developing additional solar and windpowered projects. Once those projects come online, projected to be by 2024, more than 50% of SDCEA’s every-day power supply will be from renewable sources. SDCEA has not increased electric rates since July 2017, and plans to roll out new rate options to complement e orts to decrease energy-related emissions, and to encourage energy e ciency and conservation.
We encourage you to check out Tri-State’s plans and more information for yourself at: tristategt.org/responsibleenergyplan.
Vern Plackner (third from left) instructed his last class of first aid and CPR to staff at SDCEA in January. Plackner announced he will retire in April after 40 years of employment at the cooperative. Most recently, he has been the safety and
compliance coordinator at SDCEA. Plackner’s final class included (left to right) Joel Garza, Len Gates, (Vern), Bryon Stilley, Ryan Doke, Brian Berry and Lucas Montgomery.
Jack Wolfe Retires
Sangre de Cristo Electric Association Board President Joe Redetzke (left) said goodbye to long-time corporate counsel Jack Wolfe in December. Wolfe retired after serving SDCEA for 12 years.
Casey Martin, an associate with Balcomb & Green, P.C. was named as Wolfe’s successor. Martin and his family live in the Buena Vista area.
Are You Interested in How Your Electric Cooperative is Governed?
Do you have leadership qualities and want to make a difference? Consider running for a seat on the Sangre de Cristo Electric Board of Directors. If you think this might be a good fit and a good opportunity for you, contact CEO Paul Erickson at 719-395-2412 or toll free at 844-395-2412 for more information. We look forward to hearing from you. Deadline to submit a director nomination petition is before 5 p.m. on Friday, April 24. The date was incorrectly stated as Monday, May 7, in the February issue of Colorado Country Life.
REBATES
Sangre de Cristo Electric Association, Inc. and its power supplier, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc., teamed up to bring you rebates for installing Energy Star-rated water heaters and Energy Starrated appliances, lighting and outdoor power equipment.
Want to learn more? Go to our website, myelectric.coop, click on Save Energy & Money and head to the rebates tab.
2020 Annual Meeting
June 9, 2020 Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort, Buena Vista Registration 9 a.m. | Meeting 10 a.m.
NEW PHONE/EMAIL
If you’ve changed your phone number or email address since you’ve taken service with Sangre de Cristo Electric Association, please update your information with us.
Go to our website, myelectric.coop to the login box to create an account with updated information, or update information if you already have an account. You may also call us 8 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F at 719-395-2412 or toll-free 844-395-2412.
OUTAGES Do you have an outage to report? Don’t hesitate to call 719-395-2412 or toll-free 844-395-2412. A live operator will assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
DO NOT email your outage information or post your outage information on social media. SDCEA cannot monitor that information effectively, especially after hours. The only way to be sure we know you have an outage is to phone it in.
MEMBERS ONLY Sangre de Cristo Electric Association posts rates, policies, board meeting information, annual reports, board contacts and more for our consumers to access at any time. To view these items, create an account on our website at myelectric.coop. Sign in and find this information under our ‘Members Only’ section. If you have any questions about how to access this information, call our office at 719-395-2412 or toll-free 844-395-2412.
As a cooperative we are taking bold steps to change how your energy is produced. That means fewer emissions and 50 percent of your electricity coming from renewable energy by 2024. Because whatever the future holds, we’ll power it.
