Did you know that as few as 20 percent of La Plata Electric Association members eligible to vote in the annual election actually vote? This is one of the reasons that Davin Montoya has been able to remain on the board for almost three decades, and Joe Wheeling has been there for nine years.
Both of these board members have consistently supported the contract with Tri-State Generation & Transmission, LPEA’s major energy supplier, which relies on dirty coal for the majority of its energy production.
While serving on LPEA’s board, Wheeling also serves at Tri-State. This makes me wonder how he can be a critical judge of Tri-State’s contract with LPEA, which places a five percent cap on locally generated power.
Enlightened energy policy should focus on more local, clean, renewable energy to provide more jobs in our local economy and keep our electric dollars in our community. At the same time, renewable energy sources will help keep rates down and provide a healthier environment for families.
If you are an LPEA customer, your vote counts. If you haven’t yet voted, please vote and return your ballot as soon as possible. I hope you will mark your ballot for Guinn Unger, Rachel Landis and Kim Martin. Each of these candidates represents a new way of thinking about our energy future.
Carol Cure
Durango
