This blog series covers the monthly La Plata Electric Association (LPEA)* Board of Directors meetings. We’re tracking the board for transparency and accountability, as well as to stay current on their renewable energy initiatives. Find past and future spotlights here.
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In the first half of this January’s #LPEASpotlight, we explained why the La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) Board of Directors needs to review our long-term power supply options given the changing energy economy.
In the January board meeting, the LPEA directors narrowly** approved one meeting of a subcommittee to complete such a review. They told the group to come up with a mission, vision and strategy. This brief subcommittee “charter” will be presented next to the full board on February 21st for a vote.
We’re concerned the LPEA board will vote to discontinue this subcommittee.
If the subcommittee is denied, the opportunity for a review of our energy supply options is jeopardized. Without this review, the LPEA board will likely continue to rely on the past to make decisions in a rapidly evolving energy industry.
SUPPORT THE SUBCOMMITTEE
Attend the LPEA Board Meeting
February 21st, Public comment is at 9am, LPEA Headquarters (45 Stewart St, Durango)
Tell LPEA that studying the future of our energy supply is critical:
- The LPEA board can’t know what’s best for LPEA until they research existing options
- A subcommittee is the most efficient way to complete this review, the whole board doesn’t have the time
- The subcommittee should work with LPEA staff to ensure accurate, efficient collection of data
- The subcommittee should release the stages of their process to the public to ensure transparency
On January 31st, we attended the subcommittee’s first meeting. It was open to the public. They worked on the charter but unfortunately did not make the editing process publicly accessible. We waited to publish this Spotlight, hoping that LPEA would publish the final version of the charter online so we could share it with you.
But last week, for unclear reasons, LPEA decided not to publish the long-term strategy subcommittee’s charter publicly before voting on it.
Even though we can’t share with you exactly what is in the charter, we attended the full work session. Based on what we heard, we are still in full support of the subcommittee.
During the meeting, the subcommittee’s stated vision was to, “produce a report that will examine LPEA’s financial and operational future based on several possible energy supply and distribution scenarios.”
It is the LPEA Board of Directors job to look to the future and determine policies to guide LPEA’s path. As energy technologies rapidly change, we must consider all of LPEA’s options for taking advantage of low cost renewable energy so that southwest Colorado isn’t left behind. The subcommittee is an efficient way to do so.
Without your support this important review is in danger. The first subcommittee meeting barely passed and we believe this final approval vote is even less secure. Join us at the LPEA board meeting on February 21st to speak in support of looking to the future!
CAN’T MAKE IT?
Write or call your LPEA representatives.
(Hover over your neighborhood for contact information!)
* La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) is a member-owned rural electric cooperative that distributes power to La Plata County, Archuleta County, and parts of Hinsdale and Mineral counties in Southwest Colorado. LPEA buys 95% of its power from Tri-State Generation and Transmission (see below).
