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.

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.

Rep.-Yadira-Caraveo

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%.

GCEA 2023

GCEA Breaks Ground on New Hydroelectric Project

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GCEA broke ground for the development of the Taylor River Hydropower plant at the base of the Taylor Park Dam on May 31. The hydropower facility’s nameplate capacity is 500 kilowatts, placing it within the “small hydro” scale. Small hydro powers local communities and contributes to a regional grid. According to GCEA Strategy Execution Specialist Matt Feier, this project could result in the production of 3.9 million kilowatt-hours each year, which is about the same amount of energy as 2,500-kilowatt fixed-tilt solar arrays. The plant will generate enough electricity to power approximately 475 GCEA-served homes every year. GCEA has been working to diversify its supply portfolio by adding environmentally friendly, sustainable resources that are in accordance with the terms and conditions with its wholesale power supplier, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association. All energy generated at this hydroelectric facility will be distributed to members of GCEA members, making this an exciting new development for the community.

GCEA partnered with the Uncompaghre Valley Water Users Association to bring this project to life, a venture that has been several years in the making. GCEA and UVWUA signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2020 to form a jointly owned entity called Taylor River Hydro LLC to develop, own, and operate the plant. The Taylor Park Dam was originally built to accommodate a hydroelectric generation facility when it was constructed in 1937, though one has never been implemented until now. The dam is owned by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and is operated by the UVWUA; maintenance and operation responsibilities will be handled by GCEA. The hydroelectric facility is expected to operate at full capacity 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year, not including occasional downtime for maintenance and repairs. The Taylor River Hydropower project was originally slated to be finished in late 2023, but now has an expected completion date of mid-February 2024.

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