The electrification of America is one of the most significant achievements of all time. More than 100 years ago, the most prominent population centers across the country were granted access to the valuable resource and quickly began to grow and prosper. Over the past century, access to electricity has expanded to include all parts of the country, especially thanks to the development of member-owned and operated rural electric cooperatives. 

Today, the industry is one in the midst of an overarching transition. The retirement of coal plants, relative affordability of renewable energy and advancements in technology have primed electric utilities to power the movement toward beneficial electrification. 

As we’re moving closer to an electrified future, renewable energy sources are becoming as affordable or more affordable than traditional fossil fuels. Electricity generated from renewable sources also produces zero carbon emissions and the movement toward electrified “smart” devices utilizes energy more efficiently. 

Beneficial electrification, then, is electricity produced by environmentally friendly means that saves money and/or improves quality of life. This is also known as “strategic” electrification because it targets the most practical and valuable fuel switching opportunities, such as electric vehicles and lawn equipment, traditionally powered by gas engines. 

Saves Money Over Time

New energy efficient technology that saves consumers money over time is being developed every day. From regularly used appliances in your home or kitchen to the construction of new homes, efficiency is key for both cost savings and environmental impact. Although there’s usually a higher initial investment, it pays for itself over time. For example, electric vehicles are priced above their gas engine equivalents, but because there are fewer moving parts and less standard maintenance, owners will realize greater savings over the life of the vehicle. That’s without considering rebates and the significant price gap between electricity and gas. 

Consider heating and cooling your home, as well. Energy used for heating and cooling account for more than half the average consumer’s energy costs. A solution to reducing these costs are air source and ground source heat pumps, which are so efficient they actually provide more energy than they consume. Smart thermostats can regulate energy use whether you’re home or away, analyze your usage and make recommendations. Energy efficient lighting is brighter, lasts longer and uses just a fraction of the energy as traditional incandescent lighting.  

Improves Quality of Life

We don’t often purchase devices or appliances that make our lives more difficult. Many of the same devices that provide us with energy savings also improve our quality of life, satisfying two criteria for beneficial electrification. Consider electric vehicles again. Much hesitancy surrounding EVs is related to perceived quality of life – range anxiety and access to a sufficient charging infrastructure. However, range is increasing, charging infrastructure is growing and initial cost of investment is dropping. Vehicles powered by electricity are also quiet, more capable and, depending on who you ask, more fun. 

Smart meters allow the cooperative to provide members with aggregate data about their energy use in 15-minute segments using Power Portal, a free tool available to all members. This data, like other smart devices, provides a detailed review of behaviors that have the greatest impact on their energy use. Using this data, members can make small changes to realize instant energy savings. 

Devices that are able to provide consumers with energy use data or learn our habits to optimize energy use in a way that fits our lifestyles ultimately means increased savings, more freedom and less anxiety about your energy bill. 

Reduces Environmental Impact

The first two criteria reflect how beneficial electrification has a positive effect on consumers, but electricity has to be produced before it can be used. As more coal plants are retired, they are being replaced with renewable alternatives like wind or solar, and the technology used to capture renewable energy generated from these sources is also advancing. These advancements allow us to take greater advantage of renewable resources. 

United Power has brought on more than 40 megawatts of solar energy since 2012 and has also debuted alternative renewable projects, like its methane capture project at the Erie landfill. Capturing methane produced in landfills and using it to generate electricity helps reduce its effect on climate change. 

Increases Grid Resiliency

Research at Darmouth College earlier this year found electric grids with more renewables were more robust and reliable. As United Power has grown, it has added additional renewable projects to its system. 

Load control methods, especially ones that shift energy use away from peak demand periods, have also shown to increase grid resiliency. United Power offers a Time of Day rate that encourages members to shift usage to off-peak periods and its Rush Hour Rewards provides incentives to let the cooperative adjust energy usage on hot days during peak periods. Upcoming cooperative programs will also utilize load control incentives to shift at-home EV charging to off-peak hours. 

United Power has demonstrated its leadership in beneficial electrification through a commitment to renewable energy and energy efficiency incentives that save money and improve lives for both it and its members. 

At the turn of the past century (1900, not 2000) there were as many electric vehicles as gas powered cars. The EVs of the day were more expensive, but quieter, cleaner and easier to start and drive. Now, 120 years later, EVs are becoming increasingly popular, with nearly 4,000 United Power members driving one, and the numbers are growing.

With an electric grid in its infancy and before the creation of rural electric cooperatives, most of America outside of its cities would not be fully electrified for another 25 years. Gasoline became an essential commodity. Although it was dirty, noisy and somewhat flammable, it was also portable and easy to move across great distances in bulk, allowing for rapid expansion.

I had the opportunity to drive many of the early EVs on the market during my time at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) 20 years ago – the ill-fated EV1, an all-electric RAV4, a converted S-10 pickup and an experimental Honda. They all shared similar benefits to today’s EVs: rapid acceleration, amazing handling – due to the weight of the batteries – and were eerily quiet. I also clearly recall taking the pickup to my daughter’s school for a show and tell, driving across the San Mateo bridge to my home in Pleasanton, Cali. and nervously watching the battery meter drifting toward zero.

My, how has the world changed. An expanding electric grid has made electricity the commodity, EV battery life is now up to 300 miles or more and we have 49 publicly available “Level 2” chargers and seven DC Fast Chargers (two owned by United Power) in our service territory. The network is rapidly expanding across Colorado and the U.S. Now, with most charging taking place at home, United Power will soon begin offering a leasing program for home chargers to our members.

I have been driving an electric vehicle almost daily for the past seven months and have learned much in that time. The Tesla Model 3 I drive is a pleasure and nothing short of a modern engineering miracle – an iPhone on wheels. But it is different in other ways too, some of which take getting used to versus traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

First and foremost, more planning is involved for long trips. I made a journey to Wyoming for a Tri-State meeting, a distance of about 250 miles. Although the car would have made it on a single charge there were no fast chargers available at my destination. So, my car instructed me to stop at Laramie for a 15-minute charge coming and going. This means not pushing on to the next gas/charging station since that might be miles away. Secondly, since most people charge at home and “filling up” at 120 volts takes a long time, United Power’s upcoming Level 2 leasing program targets the length of time it takes to charge while adding sophistication to the timing of the charge for better bill management.

There are four key questions to ask as you consider an EV for your next ride:

Does it meet my needs? My other vehicle is a 4WD Ford- F-250 with a 7.3-liter gas engine since towing my camper, heading to the woods for hunting or even making it up to my house on the mountain at 9,000 feet in the winter would be a challenge.

Do I like it? As with any automobile purchase, our cars reflect our personal tastes. Early EVs were, well, not exactly “attractive” to most of us. The “geek look” worked for some, but not all.

Can I afford it? The total cost of an EV is much less expensive than an ICE with no tune-ups or oil changes and fewer mechanical things to go wrong. There are roughly 30% fewer parts in an EV. However, some of the initial costs may be higher.

How can I fuel it? For apartment dwellers or renters, charging at home might be a challenge. For homeowners, it might require an additional 240-volt service on your electric panel. The great news is that the availability of public charging is dramatically increasing.

As your electric cooperative we are here to help answer your questions. You can find information online at ChooseEV or by calling 720-685-5644.

Come join the EV revolution!

Project Also Provides Alternate Energy Option for Emergency Management

Brighton, CO - United Power, partnering with the Gilpin County Office of Emergency Management, placed a 625-kw diesel generator on the Gilpin County School District campus. The generator was installed as a safety enhancement to serve both the school and community members in the mountain territory.

“United Power is excited to partner with Gilpin County on this key project for community members adjacent to the school district campus,” stated Dean Hubbuck, United Power’s Chief Energy Resource Officer. “Completing the project prior to the winter season should provide security and peace of mind to the residents in the area and provide a much-needed resource in the event of an extended power interruption.”

In the event of power outage, Gilpin County is required to notify parents and send students home because the school district doesn’t have a back-up power option. The installation of the generator alleviates concerns for school administration officials and parents of students. Additionally, the generator can provide a longer window of service with abbreviated services at the school, allowing Emergency Management to activate the site as an emergency warming center during an extended power outage in the area.

United Power upgraded existing infrastructure to ensure the generator can provide power to the entire school campus, including school buildings, gym facilities, the bus barn, water storage and delivery systems, pumping stations and the Eagles’ Nest Daycare Center. The generator operates on Tier 4 Diesel, with is an ultra-clean, low sulfur fuel and incorporates advanced emission reduction technologies, which exceeds state requirements for emission levels.

The cooperative will hold a ribbon cutting to celebrate the new generator on Friday, November 5 at 10 a.m. Members of the public are invited to attend and learn more about this addition and the enhanced safety benefits it will offer to the residents. Please click here to RSVP. 

United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric cooperatives in the nation, and in June joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 900 square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson and Keenesburg. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options and reforming the traditional Generation and Transmission (G&T) business model. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.

United Power is an Essential Partner in Local Communities

Cooperatives are more than a local business. Not only do they provide the same products and services as their for-profit counterparts, they also go beyond the business, placing great emphasis on community involvement and the flourishing of its members. Without the members we serve, there would be no United Power. We’re invested in making each and every one of our communities the best version of itself and empowering our members to be a part of that vision.

This October, United Power invites our members to join us in honoring National Co-op Month, a celebration of the commitment cooperatives have for their communities and members. There are more than 64,000 cooperatives stretching across almost every industry that touches our daily lives, and more than 800 of them are local electric co-ops. Electric co-ops provide power to nearly 60% of the country’s landmass, maintain more than 40% of its distribution grid — approximately 3 million miles of line — and serve more than 40 million members across 2,500 counties in 47 states.

Birthed out of the hard work of our members more than 80 years ago, electric cooperatives were established to deliver power to parts of the country larger investor-owned utilities had no interest in serving. When co-ops were formed to deliver power to these rural communities, they also made a commitment to serve and strengthen the communities within their service territory through investment in the economy, supporting local nonprofits and developing future leaders.

United Power works closely with its communities to support them directly and indirectly. It maintains close relationships with locally owned and operated businesses. Employees serve on the boards of local nonprofits, chambers of commerce, economic development councils and more.

The cooperative’s commitment to its communities and members was on full display over the past 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. From temporary suspension of disconnects to contributing $550,000 to the Co-op Cares Fund to provide direct support to members affected throughout the pandemic, United Power put its words into demonstrable action. It established the Member Choice Grants program to help the cooperative direct support to areas members care about and Operation Round-Up, a voluntary member-funded organization supported by the cooperative, went above and beyond to provide additional assistance to area nonprofits where it was needed.

United Power also continued to provide thousands of dollars in scholarships to area seniors pursuing a post-secondary education and sponsored dozens of virtual community events while in-person events were not possible. When community events did return this summer, the cooperative played a vital role in making them happen, including fairs, festivals and local movie nights and celebrations.

While some electric cooperatives remain small and rural, others have outgrown their rural roots. As communities have grown from rural farming communities to suburban commuter communities or even urban centers, so has United Power’s commitment to those communities. No matter where you live or how you use electricity, you can count on United Power to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy and to make serving you its priority.

Recently, two solar salesmen came to my home in Brighton offering to convince me of the value of adding solar. Their main sales pitch was a false narrative that United Power rates were slated to increase “dramatically” over the next several years due to our ongoing conversations with our power supplier, Tri-State G&T, about a contract modification. Ironically, just that day at our board of directors meeting, we presented a first look at our budget for 2022 which showed no immediate increase and a potential decrease in rates at some point in the foreseeable future. Their sales pitch was an out-and-out lie.

There are many factors driving the decision to add solar or storage, including economics, environmental responsibility or the desire for energy independence. We wholeheartedly support your decisions, whatever the rationale, but want to make sure the decision is being made with a full knowledge of the costs. Sadly, there are many unscrupulous salespeople who do not have your best financial interests at heart as we do at United Power. Please contact us for the facts as you make these significant investment decisions. You can also visit our website for more information about installing a solar system on your home, including questions to ask potential solar contractors, at Going Solar.

As a member-owner, it is important to realize the professionals at United Power are here to serve your needs with unbiased, fact-based information to make sure every electron is used in the most cost-effective way possible. This covers critical opportunities, such as our Rush Hour Rewards program, energy efficiency measures and rebates on everything from appliances to battery-powered lawn equipment. We are honored to serve as a resource for our members to help calculate the benefit of any decision when it comes to alternative energy options. We support decisions to add rooftop solar or storage to your home or business and are proud that nearly 7,000 of our members have made the decision to add solar to their homes. Another 3,000 of us are now driving electric vehicles, and soon members will be able to lease an electric vehicle charger for your home or business at a low monthly cost.

These are exciting times in the electricity business as technology expands its reach into everything from automobiles and vertical/indoor farming to advanced manufacturing and lawn tools. In this era of beneficial electrification, United Power is at the forefront of these amazing opportunities.

The growth at United Power – we are now more than 100,000 meters strong – has meant an influx of new members to our communities and a new relationship with your electricity provider. If you are new to the concept of an electric cooperative, as part of the “family” you are a part owner and reap the benefits in several ways:

• As a member-owner, you will share in any excess margin in the form of capital credits, determined annually by the board of directors. Capital credits are returned to our members as either a check or a credit on your billing statement.
• Participating in a uniquely cooperative process of democratic engagement in our governance. Members vote for who sits on our board or may even run as a candidate themselves.
• Having a utility partner that directly supports community activities like the Adams County Fair. United Power also sponsors events like Summerfest in Brighton, Trappers Days in Fort Lupton and Miners Day in Frederick.
• Being treated as a member – not just a customer – if you have any questions, comments or concerns.

Finally, as I outlined in my letter to members in August, we are continuing to find a happy medium in our power supply with Tri-State G&T. It is critical that Tri-State continues to provide valuable transmission-related services, especially as we enter the new era of electricity markets. It is equally critical that United Power be able to follow its own destiny when it comes to the choice in at least a portion of its energy supply in order to lower our rates and be competitive in this changing market.

As winter approaches, we stand by to work with all our members on the efficient, sustainable use of the precious resource of electricity. Please call or email me at any time.

Email Mark A. Gabriel