The LPEA Board of Directors’ foremost responsibility is to look out for the interests of our co-op. This requires understanding the rapidly changing utility market and carefully looking into Tri-State Generation and Transmission’s past performance and electricity rates.
Over the past 15 years, Tri-State raised rates by a total of 87 percent, almost 2.5 times the rates of inflation, with their prices now being high by utility standards. Major reasons are threefold: The ill-advised purchase of a coal mine instead of purchasing coal, attempting to build the now-canceled Kansas coal fired power plant resulting in a $100 million loss, and that coal is now the most expensive energy source.
Tri-State now finds itself in the challenging position of having to sell expensive coal-generated electricity for many years to come, while wind-generated electricity sells for less than half with PV solar not far behind. While Tri-State recently promised not to raise rates for five years, can we trust them based on their past performance? Especially, can they do this without adding to their already-large $3 billion debt, the responsibility of all 43 member coops?
We need knowledgeable LPEA board members willing to look at all issues and opportunities. These include the 32 years left on our Tri-State contract, and generating renewable electricity locally, creating jobs and keeping millions of dollars per year in our community.
Please vote for Tim Wheeler in the north of La Plata County and Britt Bassett in the city of Durango.
Werner Heiber
Durango
