La Plata Electric Association board members, with one dissenting voice, voted Wednesday to remain a member of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
“I might go along if (membership) were free, but it costs us $50,000 a year,” Jeff Berman said. “I can’t send $50,000 to support what they’re currently doing.”
Berman’s reference was to the impression that the NRECA, a trade association, favors power providers who rely heavily on coal for a power source over distributive networks such as LPEA, which are turning toward solar power.
In an effort to clear the air, LPEA invited Joanne Emerson, the CEO of the NRECA, to discuss issues with them.
They talked for an hour with Emerson and Martin Lowery, the association’s executive vice president for members and association relations, seated at their office in Washington.
The NRECA provides service to 900 rural electric cooperative and represent them in Washington.
A main concern of LPEA is that the NRECA ignores what it sees as a trend to alternative power sources such as solar.
Another concern voiced was that electric cooperatives no longer will be viable if end consumers can generate and store their own electricity as technology improves.
The NRECA should have a standing committee to address issues related to distributive networks, LPEA board members told Emerson and Lowery.
Emerson said everything the NRECA does is not obvious, but that it has addressed alternative-energy sources.
“It’s important that we hear about what you want us to do,” Emerson said.
LPEA CEO Mike Dreyspring recommended that the cooperative not drop its NRECA membership.
“Getting involved is the most effective way to bring change,” he said.
daler@durangoherald.com
