By Amy Higgins Electric cooperatives are committed to making reliable and low-cost electricity available to consumer-members. To do that, many co-ops depend on their generation and transmission co-ops (G&Ts) that supply the electricity. Those G&Ts are finding new ways and new resources to help their co-ops meet the needs of their members today and tomorrow. […]
After two years of analytical research, planning, development and construction, Colorado electric co-op Southeast Colorado Power Association energized the Vilas Solar site on March 1. A partnership with RES, the solar project will provide solid energy output. The La Junta-based co-op will pay RES for the energy output from the solar site on a pre-determined […]
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Legislative Conference took place in Washington, D.C., the first week in April and Colorado co-ops attended to meet with legislators. The annual conference gives rural electric cooperative leaders the opportunity to discuss co-op priorities and legislation that directly affects co-ops and rural America. This year, one of the topics […]
“Forward-thinking and proactive” are two ways that Dan Harms, manager of rates, technology and energy policy at La Plata Electric Association, describes the Durango-based electric cooperative. Technological advances in battery storage, increased individual solar systems and electric vehicle home charging popularity put LPEA in the top percentage of rural electric cooperatives across the country. This […]
Nucla-based San Miguel Power Association, CoBank and power supplier Basin Electric awarded the Apple Core Project with a “Sharing Success” grant. The grant from these three cooperative sources will assist in the installation of a demonstration orchard at the Pinion Farm Homestead in Nucla. The Sharing Success grant seeks funding opportunities that will stimulate and […]
San Luis Valley Rural Electric Association, a Monte Vista-based electric cooperative, is proud to power the thriving Wolf Creek Ski Area with solar power. Ski lifts and buildings at Wolf Creek came on line with the Penitente Solar Project in November 2017. The ski area is the largest consumer of power in the San Luis […]
Nationwide, electric cooperatives install automated metering systems, energy efficiency and demand response programs, and grid monitoring systems that all require real-time communication in order to provide members the safe reliable electricity they are accustomed to receiving 24 hours a day. As technology advances in the electric industry, cooperatives are requiring more sophisticated telecommunications technology. A […]
Sedalia-based CORE Electric Cooperative (formally Intermountain Rural Electric Association) held its first-ever holiday light recycling program. It was hugely successful and co-op members brought in much more than expected — over 3,000 pounds of recyclable holiday lights. CORE took the lights to Western Metals Recycling center where it was paid 20 cents per pound to […]
Since January 2018, Colorado electric co-op, Empire Electric Association, has presented over $15,700 in rebates to 10 local businesses that built, updated or retrofitted their spaces with LED lighting. A new cider brewing company in Mancos outfitted its tasting room lighting with LED pucks for a pleasant and inviting look and feel. It also installed […]
Granby-based Mountain Parks Electric members who installed renewable energy systems received nearly $21,000 in total rebates in 2017. This is the program’s biggest rebate year yet, increasing from $14,490 in 2016. The electric co-op started the Green Power program in 1999, then purchasing renewable energy credits on behalf of customers who wanted to support the […]