Voters in this year’s La Plata Electric Association board election, concluding on Wednesday, retained two incumbents and added a former county commissioner for the seats representing La Plata County (we lack familiarity and did not endorse in Archuleta County). The cost of the exit from Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, the security of our future energy supply, and rate increases were the top election issues. Twenty five percent of eligible voters turned out, similar to prior annual elections. Approximately half those voters selected their candidate online, testing out LPEA’s new electronic voting system.
Brad Blake, the former county commissioner and small-business owner, who’s now a partner in the construction of a workforce housing project in Bayfield, with 70% (1,768) of the vote in his district, easily outdistanced Greg Barber and Terry Greiner for the open seat. Blake has advocated for county residents for whom any rate increases associated with utility costs are significant, and wants to improve communication about LPEA operations and decision-making. Blake’s well-known and respected and his board membership will enhance LPEA’s community engagement efforts.
Joe Lewandowski, with 1,718 votes, will now begin his third term on the board. He has been a supporter of the move to more renewable energy sources which, with the Tri-State exit, can be sourced to a much greater degree locally. Lewandowski has been a member of the city planning commission and a spokesperson for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Again, sourcing and delivering electric power are complex undertakings and the knowledge gained from board member incumbency is significant.
Dave Peters, with 640 votes, was the runner-up in this district, centered on Durango. Peters is a critic of the move away from Tri-State to what he says is to an uncertain and likely more costly renewable energy sources. Peters is the former head of the La Plata County Republican Party and has a strong following.
John Witchel’s, with 1,391 votes, five years on the board and as a business owner who has started solar energy companies, continues to afford him the experience needed to contribute to the leadership of the $110 million annual budget/49,000 meter cooperative. Even so, Witchel only very narrowly outpaced Lyle McKnight, with 1,337 votes, in the district that’s north and east in the county.
LPEA has been on its way toward independence from Tri-State for a decade and there’s no reason that should be undone. But easing out of most of that relationship – except for major power lines and some power – and into an environment of more renewable energy, and further education about the amount and when energy should be consumed for the lowest rates, are continuing, and important.
LPEA looks to have the board membership from La Plata County that it needs.
This editorial was updated to reflect that Joe Lewandowski served on the city, not county, planning commission.
