US Senator John Hickenlooper and CREA Executive Director Kent Singer chat during the CREA Energy Innovations Summit.

CREA HOSTS 15TH ANNUAL ENERGY INNOVATIONS SUMMIT

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Industry leaders discuss the electric industry

The Colorado Rural Electric Association concluded its 15th Annual CREA Energy Innovations Summit. This year’s conference brought together more than 275 industry experts and leaders who discussed the latest developments in today’s dynamic energy landscape.

During the opening session, United States Sen. John Hickenlooper emphasized the importance of a bipartisan approach to energy and climate issues. He shared valuable insights from his experience with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and drew from his background as a geologist. At lunch, NERC Senior Vice President of Strategy and External Engagement Camilo Serna discussed with attendees the impact of coal fired power plant retirement on the North American power grid.

“Bringing together leaders and experts from across the U.S. and Canada for a day of shared knowledge highlights CREA’s commitment to excellence. Together, we are shaping the future of the electric industry, and it’s inspiring to see what we can achieve as a united community,” CREA Executive Director Kent Singer said.

Breakout sessions and panel discussions that facilitated engaging conversations and networking opportunities were available throughout the day. “The lineup of presenters at the 2024 CREA Energy Innovations Summit was the best I’ve seen in my many years of attendance at the event,” Mountain View Electric Association CEO Ruth Marks said.

A session covering advanced reactors explored the potential of new generation nuclear technologies as a sustainable solution for achieving carbon-free electricity. Another discussion focused on load growth and data centers, where experts from CoBank, E3, and RMI analyzed the soaring demand for data centers and its implications for resource planning. Additionally, a panel discussing barriers to EV adoption examined Colorado’s electrification goals and discussed strategies to combat range anxiety and improve charging station availability. “The topics were timely and relevant to Colorado cooperative issues of the day. From hearing about NERC reliability concerns to becoming better informed about emerging technologies, it was definitely time well spent,” Marks continued.

“As we wrap up the 15th annual summit, I’m encouraged by the collaboration and leadership we’ve fostered over the years” said CREA Director of Member Services and Education Julie Baker. “We are thrilled with the turnout and the level of engagement from our participants.”

The 2025 CREA Energy Innovations Summit will take place on November 3 in Westminster.

CREA Welcomes Taylor Ward

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headshot of Taylor WardDENVER, Colorado — The Colorado Rural Electric Association welcomes Taylor Ward as its new Director of Government Relations.

Ward joins CREA with a decade of experience in legislative and government affairs. Working primarily in the public sector, he has proven success in strategic advocacy and lobbying, legislative analysis, policy development, community engagement, relationship building, and coalition and stakeholder management.

“Taylor brings a wealth of experience in lobbying and legislative affairs to CREA,” CREA Executive Director Kent Singer said. “We’re excited to have him join our team in doing this important work for Colorado’s electric co-ops.”

Ward will be responsible for CREA’s legislative program and keeping the association’s members informed of legislative activities and issues important to electric cooperatives across Colorado.

“I am honored to join the Colorado Rural Electric Association and represent the interests of our state’s rural electric cooperatives. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work alongside rural communities and have been able to develop a deep understanding of the unique challenges they face. I am thrilled to continue this work at CREA,” Ward said. “I look forward to working closely with policymakers, industry leaders, and our cooperative members to ensure that we continue to provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for the people of Colorado.”

About Colorado Rural Electric Association

CREA is the trade association representing 21 Colorado electric distribution co-ops and Tri-State G&T. CREA provides legislative, safety, education, and communication support. The mission of the CREA is to enhance and advance the interests of its member electric cooperatives through a united effort.

Colorado’s Electric Cooperatives Support Opportunities for Youth

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For more than three decades, the electric cooperatives of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Wyoming have conducted a fun weeklong experience known as Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp. Every July, selected high school students travel to Clark, Colorado (north of Steamboat Springs), after being chosen by their local cooperatives as participants. This year’s Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp was another huge success with 79 student campers, six ambassadors, and 13 counselors participating.

The annual CYLC provides an opportunity for the campers to learn about the fundamentals and operation of a co-op, electricity generation and safety, gain valuable leadership skills, and, of course, have a ton of summer fun.

The best way to learn about a co-op is to form one, and that is what the campers did. When students arrived the first day, they formed a camp co-op by electing a board of directors and hiring a general manager. Each camper was expected to take part in the workings of the camp co-op by seeking election to the board and by serving on one of the camp activity committees.

A presentation from HawkQuest taught campers about raptors and the electric cooperatives’ role in avian protection. The days were busy, but the evenings were also packed with fun — like a talent show. The amount of creativity showcased at the talent show was incredible this year; the night ended with many smiles and laughs all around.

During the week, students also attended talks about leadership and conflict management. Campers discovered the variety of co-op careers, watched a high-voltage electric safety demonstration, toured a power plant, and learned where electricity comes from through a presentation titled The Story Behind the Switch. The campers then took what they had learned and built generation and transmission models out of craft supplies. The winning team earned the coveted prized of being able to skip the line for lunch and dinner for the rest of camp!

There is plenty of time for fun and games. Glen Eden Resort has a volleyball court, swimming pool, a hot tub, and tennis courts that students enjoyed. There was a dance, a pizza party, a trip to the top of Mt. Werner, time to explore Steamboat Springs, and a rafting trip on the Colorado River.

A banquet on the final night of camp gave students an opportunity to say goodbye to their new camp friends; and they also finalized the election of the 2025 camp ambassadors. The three Western Division ambassadors for 2025 are represented by Y-W Electric: Anderson Filla, Alyssa Roberts, and Haylee Roseberry. Clancy Cummings, Tessa Inman, and Kase Kill were elected as the three Eastern Division ambassadors. These ambassadors will attend next year’s camp to help as student leaders.

Each local cooperative has its own qualifications for participation in the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp. Camp is open to students who are entering their junior or senior year of high school in the fall. If you know someone who may be interested in attending camp next year, see a local high school counselor or give your local electric cooperative a call.

Colorado’s Electric Co-ops Send Volunteer Crews to Light Up Navajo Nation

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In June and July, seven Colorado electric co-op line crews traveled to parts of Arizona to help electrify homes on Navajo Nation.

More than 13,000 families living on Navajo Nation do not have basic access to electricity at home.

An initiative between the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority and the American Public Power Association, Light Up Navajo works to change that statistic and to change people’s lives. “It is hard to believe that in 2024 there are still families in the United States that have never experienced having electricity,” CREA Board President Steve Valdez said.

Some NTUA applicants have waited years for electricity at home. Challenges include infrastructure limitations, supply chain issues, and siting and permitting considerations. Melissa, a new NTUA customer whose home was connected in June, had waited one year for electricity. “I purchased my home last year and was trying to take care of my family,” she said. She and her kids lived with Melissa’s parents during that time. “Now my kids have electricity and we’re going to be forever grateful,” she said, expressing thanks to the Colorado crew that worked to connect her home.

CREA supported the project. “CREA is incredibly proud of the lineworkers from Colorado’s electric co-ops who helped bring light and power to residents of the Navajo Nation.” CREA Executive Director Kent Singer said. “We are thankful for the opportunity to improve the lives of our neighbors in northern Arizona.”

Since 2008, NTUA and volunteer crews have connected more than 7,500 homes to receive electricity. This year’s mission was to connect at least 150 homes. Volunteer crews surpassed that goal and helped connect 170 homes.

“Participating in projects such as Light Up Navajo are important because they exemplify the cooperative principle of Concern for Community,” Valdez concluded. “Volunteers banding together to improve quality of life is how co-ops got their start. Today, Colorado’s electric co-ops are still improving the quality of life in rural areas — it’s who we are.”

USDA announces funding for Solar-Storage projects

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Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, U.S. Representative Yadira Caraveo (CO-8), and Colorado Agriculture Commissioner Kate Greenberg held a press conference June 17 in Fort Collins to discuss efforts to create additional income opportunities for producers and entrepreneurs by building more, new, and better markets; providing more options for consumers to buy healthy, locally produced products; investing in infrastructure and creating new jobs; and strengthening local and regional supply chains in Colorado and across the country.

Secretary Vilsack spoke about the Powering Affordable Clean Energy program, which is funded through the Inflation Reduction Act. Inflation Reduction Act investments provided the single largest investment in rural electrification since the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. IRA investments include significant incentives to:

  • lower energy costs for rural communities and businesses;
  • protect the environment;
  • reduce pollution through clean energy;
  • create jobs and spur economic growth.

The press conference -— held at Poudre Valley REA’s headquarters — also included the announcement that PVREA will receive $9 million to create solar energy battery storage capacity.

“We see your efforts, and we’re making sure to bring public investment to help you achieve your goals on behalf of the people in Northern Colorado,” U.S. Representative Yadira Caraveo told PVREA and other attendees at the announcement.

PACE programs are designed to create an opportunity where wealth can be created within a rural community and stay within that rural community. Secretary Vilsack said Colorado understands the value of these programs and, as a result, is attracting significant investments from the USDA.

Vilsack also expressed appreciation to Poudre Valley REA. “There is an attitude here, at this rural electric association, an attitude of trying to be one step ahead … to continue to provide the safe, affordable, and reliable electricity that your customer base depends on,” he said. “As a result of that, you’ve seen rather significant expansion of opportunity over the 85 years that you’ve been in existence. You’re continuing that today, and USDA wants to be a part of it.”

Rep.-Yadira-Caraveo

Representative Yadira Caraveo speaks at the funding announcement at PVREA’s headquarters in Fort Collins in June. Photo by Kylee Coleman.

Secretary Vilsack also announced that Montrose-based Delta-Montrose Electric Association received funding for creating a photovoltaic system to produce additional electricity and to reduce emissions with the electricity it currently provides to its co-op members.

It is estimated this project will reduce emissions by about 10%.

“This is about more affordable electricity that can help spur and spawn opportunity, in the service area,” Vilsack said. “This is about lower energy costs at the end of the day, because as [electric co-ops] receive assistance from the federal government, [they] obviously don’t have to burden the rate payers with this.”

USDA Secretary Vilsack

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack speaks about the PACE program at Poudre Valley REA June 17. Photo by Kylee Coleman.

 

PVREA CEO speaks at USDA press announcement2024

USDA Awards $9 million to PVREA

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Congratulations to CREA member co-op Poudre Valley REA — the Fort Collins-based cooperative received $9 million from USDA to develop solar energy battery storage. The award was announced at the cooperative’s headquarters on Monday, June 17. “There is an attitude here, at this rural electric association, an attitude of trying to be one step ahead, to make sure that you can continue to provide safe, affordable, and reliable electricity that your customer base depends on,” USDA Secretary Vilsack said of PVREA at the announcement.

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Colorado U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo

Other speakers at the announcement included U.S. Representative Yadira Caraveo, former Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, and Colorado Agriculture Commissioner Kate Greenberg. “We see your efforts, and we’re making sure to bring public investment to help you achieve your goals on behalf of the people in Northern Colorado,” Rep. Caraveo told PVREA and other attendees at the announcement.

USDA Secretary Vilsack

USDA Secretary Vilsack

Secretary Vilsack also announced that CREA member co-op Delta-Montrose Electric Association received funding for creating a solar photovoltaic system to produce additional electricity and to reduce their emissions with the electricity they currently are providing to their customers. It is estimated that this project will reduce emissions by about 10%.

Lineworker in a bucket truck

Fast Facts About Lineworkers

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You probably don’t think about them until your power goes out, but electric lineworkers protect our homes and communities 24/7. Like other first responders who keep us safe, lineworkers endure all kinds of weather and challenging conditions. 

On April 18, we celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day to honor the people who power life. Here are some quick facts about lineworkers and the work they do.

Lineworker History

Lineworkers first appeared during the 1840s rush to spread telegraph service across the U.S., stringing wires between trees and other natural objects. It didn’t take long for everyone to realize tall poles were safer and more practical.

What Electric Lineworkers Do

  • Restoring electricity after a power outage is just one of the many duties of lineworkers, who also:
  • Install and connect new power lines to homes and businesses
  • Maintain and perform upgrades to improve our electric grid
  • Diagnose and pinpoint power delivery issues
  • Plan and manage large-scale projects
  • Ensure safe work practices in often challenging conditions

Lineworkers are responsible for maintaining and upgrading the nation’s electric grid that connects more than 7,300 power plants to 145 million consumers through 60,000 miles of high-voltage lines, millions of miles of distribution lines, and more than 50 million transformers.

Geared for Safety 

Lineworkers climb with up to 40 pounds of safety gear and tools. That’s like carrying a 5-gallon water jug. Here’s what lineworkers typically wear to stay safe while working:

  • Hard hats
  • Safety glasses
  • Flame-resistant clothing
  • Arc flash protective clothes
  • Rubber gloves and sleeves
  • Climbing belts
  • Fall-protection harnesses

One Hot Stick

One essential tool for lineworkers is the hot stick, an insulated fiberglass pole used to safely move energized wires and other equipment. Hot sticks vary in size depending on the job. 

The Wild Side of Work

Squirrels and snakes are a major cause of power outages, and lineworkers encounter plenty of both while working. They’ve also been known to rescue kittens that climbed too high in a tree and curious bears on top of utility poles. When your office is the great outdoors, these encounters are part of the job. 

On-the-Job Training

Described by the U.S. Energy Department as one of the country’s highest-paid professions that doesn’t demand postsecondary education, becoming a journeyman lineworker typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, training, and a paid apprenticeship, which typically spans four years. Apprentice lineworkers receive hands-on training and experience in the field before advancing to journeyman status. Lineworker salaries range from $40,000 to $144,000, depending on location, skill set, and experience. 

Inspiring Safety

Roughly 60,000 lineworkers hit the road annually to respond to devastating storms and the damage they leave behind. In addition to extreme weather exposure, lineworkers face a variety of dangers, including electric shock, falls from elevated work locations, and roadside traffic accidents. High injury rates among early lineworkers led to the creation of apprenticeship programs and organized labor throughout the industry.

Safety is always the No. 1 priority, which is why lineworkers continually receive training to stay mindful of safety requirements and up to date on the latest equipment and procedures.

Lineworkers power our lives. The next time you see one, remember to thank them for the essential work they do. 

For more than four decades, business writer Scott Flood has worked with electric cooperatives to build knowledge of energy-related issues among directors, staff, and members.

Co-ops Meet to Discuss Reliability

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Electric co-ops play a crucial role in ensuring the lights come on every time Coloradans flip the switch. The primary responsibility is to co-op members, and your local electric co-op remains committed to providing service that is both reliable and affordable. 

The economy of the future will be heavily reliant on electricity. With data centers, manufacturing, electric vehicles, and electric heat pumps, the demand for electricity is set to rise dramatically. Colorado’s electric co-ops are planning for this surge in demand by investing in infrastructure, technologies, and power supplies that will allow them to meet members’ needs. 

Electric co-ops are at the forefront of innovation and are adapting to the unique needs of the members they serve. With initiatives such as community solar projects, energy efficiency programs, carbon capture, and advanced nuclear generation, co-ops are leading the way.

Advocating for rational policies that preserve reliability and affordability in Colorado and in Washington, D.C., is crucial. This month, electric cooperative leaders from around the United States will gather in Washington, D.C., for the annual Legislative Conference where they will discuss key issues and concerns surrounding reliability. This allows co-ops to help educate policymakers on the issues that matter most to the families and businesses electric co-ops serve.

Today’s energy decisions and policies will determine if there are enough resources to meet tomorrow’s energy needs. Colorado’s electric co-ops will continue advocating for their members to ensure a reliable supply of electricity that powers everyday life. 

Electric Co-op Leaders Gather at NRECA’s PowerXchange

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Nearly 100 leaders from Colorado’s electric cooperatives attended the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association PowerXchange and TechAdvantage conference in early March in San Antonio, Texas. 

Electric cooperatives must work together to make progress and keep the lights on for members who depend on them, NRECA President Tony Anderson told attendees. “We all have different personalities in our network and even in our boardrooms, but we all work as one to make decisions that drive co-ops forward,” Anderson said. “Our co-ops are stronger together. We have to keep showing up for each other and do the hard work if we want to have a positive impact and get things done.”

The general sessions were informative and featured unique keynote speakers, including baseball legend Cal Ripkin Jr., champion poker player Liz Boeree, and Mike Walsh, founder and CEO of Tomorrow. Breakout sessions during the conference covered topics that are at the forefront of industry leaders’ minds: rural broadband deployment, reliability, and legislative affairs. 

Youth Leadership Council participant Ethan McGuinness from La Plata Electric Association also attended PowerXchange.

“It’s such an incredible experience getting to connect with different kids and professionals from all over the country and all over the world. I have met some wonderful people from Texas, Oregon, New York, and Maine,” McGuinness shared. “It’s been a great educational opportunity to learn how rural electric co-ops are powering our world.”

It was the 2023 Washington D.C. Youth Tour that inspired McGuinness to pursue a career in politics, public service, and history. “The Youth Tour trip changed my life. I now have a goal to attend Colorado State University to study political science.”

PVREA Middle-Mile Fiber Internet

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Poudre Valley REA broadband power infrastructure will be seeing an increase in its resiliency soon. Larimer County has received a $995,429 grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to help develop community-owned middle-mile fiber to the towns of Wellington and Masonville. Additionally, the county’s general fund will be matching the grant. While Larimer County is generally well-connected, this grant will be pivotal in providing improved access to unserved and underserved rural residents who have struggled with inadequate broadband infrastructure and unreliable service.

The middle-mile fiber project will include the construction of 107,168 feet of above-ground fiber on Poudre Valley REA poles, and will interconnect with existing community-owned middle-mile fiber. Wellington can expect to see improved connection both in town and in more rural areas, and this new fiber will connect with Fort Collins-based broadband service Connexion. The Masonville route will focus on improving connectivity along Larimer County Road 27 between U.S. Highway 34 and Masonville, which will create opportunity for last-mile expansion projects in collaboration with Loveland Pulse, Loveland’s fiber-optic internet provider.

The partnership between Connexion, Larimer County, and Loveland Pulse is focused on improving the community and providing excellent customer service, with Chad Crager, Connexion Broadband executive director stating “We believe that a great internet experience is the foundation for the future of innovation and collaboration in this region.” Each fiber service will own and be responsible for construction, maintenance, and operation of the new middle-mile project. Not only will this grant make improved connectivity possible for many homes, it also will help the community compete for future grants to upgrade infrastructure for years to come.