I find it amazing that the Herald failed to do their homework before endorsing candidates Montoya and Wheeler for the LPEA Board of Directors.
The facts are these: Mr Montoya has not moved LPEA forward by relieving it of the restriction placed on it by Tri-State which limits locally produced electricity to a measly 5 percent of the total electricity it provides to LPEA.
Furthermore, Mr Montoya favors making Tri-State, instead of LPEA, the negotiating body that would work with any “Qualified Facilities” that would supply us with locally produced electricity. To add insult to injury, he has done nothing to change the “cost recovery” language that is designed to make any electricity providers outside of Tri-State unable to compete.
So, no more then 5 percent locally produced energy, no local jobs, no new tax revenues or increased spending for our local businesses and no improvement to our air and water quality to ensure we provide a better environment for all future generations.
The Herald also doesn’t seem too concerned about the direct conflict of interest presented by having a current executive of Tri-State sitting and voting on the Board of LPEA. I find it hard to believe that Mr. Wheeling would support a needed increase of the above mentioned 5 percent since this would decrease the electricity that Tri-State provides LPEA, 75 percent of which is from coal-fired powerplants.
We have 3 excellent candidates who are not “in the pocket” of Tri-State and I encourage everyone to reject the Herald’s irresponsible endorsements. Vote for change and let’s support locally produced clean energy and all it will do for us.
Vote for Kim Martin, Guinn Unger and Rachel Landis by returning your ballot by May 12th or at the LPEA annual meeting on May 13!
Nicolaas van Vonno
Durango
Editor’s Note: Joe Wheeling is LPEA’s board member delegate to Tri-State G & T, not a Tri-State employee. He does receive compensation from Tri-State for this service.
