Now that COVID vaccinations are widely available and restrictions are lifting, United Power is phasing in a return to standard operating and billing procedures. Beginning on May 18th, late fees and reconnect fees, which were temporarily waived during the height of the COVID shutdowns, will be reinstated. On June 1st, select teams of United Power employees will return to the office, and United Power will open its Brighton lobby to walk-in visitors and for in-person payments.

United Power was one of the first Colorado utilities to pause disconnections for non-payment and waive late fees and disconnect fees when the initial pandemic stay-at-home orders were issued. Disconnections for non-payment resumed in July 2020, and on May 18th, late fees for payments not received by the due date and reconnection fees to restore electric service will resume. United Power offers several ways to avoid fees, including payment arrangements, enrolling in Pay As You Go pre-paid electric service, and applying for Co-op Cares Funds. The cooperative allocated $550,000 in relief funds to help members financially impacted by COVID. Any member struggling to make their payments in full or on time is encouraged to call United Power to access resources for assistance.

“We want to help our members avoid additional fees and disconnections, but they need to reach out to us before they are past due on their payments,” said Francis Ashu, United Power Director of Member Services. “Through our Co-op Cares fund, we have been able to help almost two thousand members financially impacted by COVID, and there are still funds available for members who are facing hardships.”

On June 1st, United Power’s Brighton Headquarters lobby at 500 Cooperative Way will re-open. While we will continue providing a suite of remote options to assist members, our Representatives will be available to assist members in person during regular business hours of Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Masks and social distancing will be required for all visitors and employees as directed by local health code mandates. The Carbon Valley and Coal Creek offices remain closed to visitors. Payment kiosks accept cash, check, and card payments and are available at all United Power offices and the Bank of Colorado Operations Center in Ft Lupton.

“Our dedicated employees are anxious to see our members and interact with them in person again. We are glad that a safe return to normal operations is possible,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President, and Chief Executive Officer. “United Power has taken every precaution to protect employees from being affected by COVID. With one office re-opening, we will continue to adhere to health department guidelines in the office, and some teams will continue to work remotely. To further protect our employees and ensure they are here to serve our members, we are offering an on-site vaccine clinic for employees and family members.”

United Power President and CEO Mark A. Gabriel testified before the House Energy and Environment Committee in favor of Senate Bill 21-072 requiring all utilities to join organized wholesale markets.

“The West is on the precipice of great change in electric generation and transmission,” Gabriel said, “And the movement to cleaner sources of generation will require a full market.” He told the committee that while the move to energy imbalance services such as those provided by the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) in its Western Energy Imbalance Service (WEIS) and California Independent System Operator’s Energy Imbalance Service (EIM) is a good start, neither provides the benefit of a true regional transmission organization with day-ahead markets.

“Markets provide two functions, acting as the air traffic controller and facilitating financial transactions,” Gabriel explained. “They function best when crossing time and weather zones.”

Named to lead United Power in March, Gabriel was the Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the Western Area Power Administration. He moved WAPA into the full market in SPP for states in the Upper Great Plains in 2015 that resulted in a $145 million savings for its utility customers. In February, WAPA moved its Rocky Mountain Region and Colorado River Storage Project Regions into the SPP WEIS imbalance Service and in March the Sierra Nevada Region into the CALISO EIM.

“Flexibility in generation supply is best supported by fully operational markets,” he said. In addition, Gabriel pointed out that the Bill’s timeframe of 2030 may be overtaken by events.

The United Power Board of Directors voted to support SB21-072 when it was introduced earlier this year by primary sponsor Senator Chris Hansen. SB-72 is a lengthy, complex bill which creates statutory language to require investor-owned utilities to join a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) by 2030, expedites electric transmission line approval processes at the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and creates the Colorado Electric Transmission Authority (CETA) to assist in financing construction or purchase of transmission projects.  

After passing through two committee hearings and floor votes in the Senate, SB 21-072 passed in the House Energy and Environment Committee on a 11-2 vote. Audio of Mark A. Gabriel’s testimony can be found here. Mr. Gabriel speaks at 4:57 pm.   
 

Jim Jaeger is Remembered for His Commitment, Support of Local Community

Brighton, Colo. – Former United Power director Jim Jaeger, who passed away on April 13, is remembered as a valuable member of the Brighton community. Jaeger was a longtime business owner and lifelong community servant, known for his activity as a volunteer and a strong supporter of local sports. He was dedicated to representing members of his community and making the world a better place for those less fortunate.

Jaeger joined United Power’s Board of Directors in March of 2002 as a representative in the cooperative’s South District and served until his retirement in 2014. When elected to the board, Jaeger said he knew little about cooperatives or distributive electricity, but he learned quickly and was passionate about directing United Power toward member-first initiatives and programs and guiding it through challenges.

While sitting on the board, Jaeger served as both vice president and secretary/treasurer, each for two years, and represented the cooperative on the Colorado Rural Electric Association’s board for five years. In addition to serving on the United Power board, Jaeger also represented his community on the local school board for eight years.

“We are saddened by his passing,” said Troy Whitmore, the cooperative’s Government & Regulatory Relations Officer. “He truly was a pillar of his community, an honorable man and a good friend. He will be greatly missed.”

United Power a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to more than 99,000 meters at homes, farms and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. 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. At the end of 2020, the cooperative reached more than 97,000 meters representing more than 300,000 members. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

###

Several United Power members have asked about this severe weather situation that occurred in Texas, wondering if something similar could happen here at United Power. There are a number of factors that are unique to the Texas power market and grid that make that region susceptible to both outages and price swings. At United Power we operate under a different wholesale power structure and have a more robust regional network to back up our power grid – both factors that help us avoid a situation like the one in Texas.

When the weather is at its worst, electric co-ops are at their best, working together to keep the lights on. United Power currently purchases all its wholesale power from Tri-State Generation and Transmission, which is a generation electric cooperative that provides service to four states. Tri-State and its members work around the clock to keep power reliable for distribution cooperatives like United Power.

How did our power supplier and our region perform during the severe winter weather?

Tri-State was able to provide the power its members needed, while managing costs to protect its members from higher electricity bills.

Tri-State’s initial analysis on the operational and financial impacts from the Feb. 13-17 winter storm, which has created financial difficulties for utility services providers in many parts of the U.S., show that the storm had an immaterial financial impact on Tri-State.

Sufficient resources were available to fully serve all the cooperative members electric loads, and no wholesale rate increase will be required or passed along to Tri-State's 42 member cooperatives and public power districts as a result of the severe weather.

What role did various generation technologies play during the recent severe weather?

Tri-State’s coal generation fleet performed extremely well during the weather event, providing reliable and low-cost power for the duration of the severe weather.

In response to the limited availability and high price of natural gas, Tri-State made the decision to use fuel oil at its dual-fuel combustion turbine generating plants. This action significantly reduced Tri-State’s exposure to record high natural gas prices, which were driven by lower supply and higher demand as space heating needs increased.

Tri-State’s solar resources performed adequately, but were below the monthly forecast. Wind resources were more significantly impacted and performed far below forecast due to low wind speeds and icing conditions. Such conditions for wind generation performance, however, are not unexpected during these types of severe winter weather events.

Tri-State's recent entry on Feb. 1 into the Southwest Power Pool’s Western Energy Imbalance Service market also supported the cooperative’s members through the weather event. The new market performed well, maximizing the efficient usage of the transmission system and dispatching the lowest-cost resources.

How does Tri-State ensure resources are available and prepare for severe weather?

Maintaining the electric grid is a real-time operation. Power must be generated at the very moment it’s used in the exact amount that’s needed at all times. Keeping our electric grid stable requires continual, real-time monitoring to balance supply and demand.

Tri-State plans its resources with a reserve that helps ensure that it will be able to meet its member cooperatives electricity needs. Tri-State also maintains operating reserves that can be brought on within 10 minutes, and works with other utilities in “reserve sharing groups” to help ensure loads can be met.

To anticipate electricity needs, Tri-State’s staff use a combination of load forecasts and weather conditions to predict system demand. They also rely on their experience. Looking ahead at generation availability and scheduling energy purchases helps ensure there is enough electricity to meet demand at the lowest costs available.

Operationally, Tri-State maintains its power plants and transmission system to be reliable year-round. When severe winter weather approaches, Tri-State prepares its power plants, and if severe weather is forecast that could affect its transmission infrastructure, Tri-State will position lineworkers in key areas to ensure they can address any issues as quickly as possible.

Why did the severe winter weather cause power outages in some areas of the country?

In the electric grid that serves the western U.S., including United Power, there were no reports of power outages tied to the availability of electricity.

In the eastern grid, where Tri-State serves several members in Nebraska as part of the Southwest Power Pool’s regional transmission organization, very cold weather increased electricity demand and power production challenges tightened power reserves, resulting in very limited and brief interruptions of power that were coordinated among transmission operators. Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) also required some load shedding in the eastern interconnection.

In the Texas electric grid operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), there were more significant issues as record cold weather increased electricity demand, which exceeded the resources available to produce electricity as fuel supplies and power plants were also affected by the record cold weather. As electricity reserves in ERCOT severely tightened, electric service was curtailed to help protect grid reliability. Prices for natural gas and electricity reached record levels. These conditions persisted for several days. Regulators are investigating the reliability and energy cost issues across the country.

How should member-owners prepare for weather-related power outages?

As recent wildfires and winter storms remind us, Mother Nature can be unpredictable. It’s important to be prepared and have an action plan for possible power outages, both for short- and long-term events. Some things to consider include:

• Create a safety plan for all members of your family, including pets;
• Stock up on supplies, including food, water, currency, batteries, flashlights, first aid kits. This also includes filling up your vehicle with gasoline before a cold spell;
• Make sure sufficient supplies of medicines are available. Be prepared to be able to charge medical devices, or have another back up plan like back up oxygen canisters, etc.;
• Be prepared to store larger quantities of water and in some cases, be prepared to boil water. Never use heating equipment intend for outdoors, such as camping gear, to heat water or cook inside your home;
• Always have your mobile phone charged, and be prepared for alternative methods of charging (such as from a vehicle);
• Routinely check on backup power sources if available, such as gas generators, to make sure they can operate during an outage;
• Have a battery-powered radio on-hand; • Keep emergency numbers handy; and
• Be prepared to move to an alternative location with power if necessary. This could be with family or friends, a local shelter, etc.

Cooperative Encourages Members to Practice Energy Efficiency

Brighton, CO – In the spring of 1970, more than 20 million Americans were inspired to gather in communities across the country to celebrate the first Earth Day. The celebration was designed to bring awareness to environmental issues and encourage using our resources more efficiently. This year, United Power is encouraging its members to practice energy efficiency and join the cooperative in recognizing Earth Day on April 22.

“Our members are the drivers of energy efficiency, and we want to help them make better decisions about how they use electricity in their homes and businesses,” said United Power Chief Executive Officer Mark A. Gabriel. “As a cooperative, we are uniquely situated to provide tools for members to make energy efficiency a priority this Earth Day. We encourage our members to take a moment to consider the ways they can improve their energy use, save money and help contribute to environmental wellness both locally and globally.”

Thinking about ways to implement energy efficiency goals may seem daunting to many individuals and families, but it does not have to be. United Power offers members a wealth of information about how to practice energy efficiency. Here are some easy and low-cost tips to start your energy saving journey:

Invest in LED Lighting

Many homes and businesses may still utilize older, less efficient forms of lighting. Traditional lighting converts energy into heat to produce light. The heat lost during generation is wasted. Newer, more efficient LEDs, or light emitting diodes, turn energy directly into light, producing little wasted energy. Although LEDs can be a more expensive investment initially, they will pay for themselves in time because they have a far longer life than traditional bulbs and use far less energy. It is one of the quickest ways to practice energy efficiency in your home.

Manage Your Demand

Demand is the amount of energy you use in a given time. United Power recommends members stagger the use of large appliances, such as ovens, dishwashers, clothing washers and dryers to keep demand costs down. When possible, you can also try to use smaller appliances to do the job of bigger ones, such as cooking in a crockpot.

Adjust Your Thermostat

Heating and cooling account for approximately half of the average family’s annual energy use. Because spring weather in Colorado is impossible to predict, you never know if you will be cranking up the heat or blasting your air conditioning. Adjusting your thermostat even a single degree per an eight-hour period is estimated to result in a 1 percent savings on your energy bill. During warm nights, you can also take advantage of Colorado’s mild climate by opening a couple windows, known as cross ventilation.

Turn Appliances Completely Off

Whether you are leaving for a short trip to the grocery store or a weeklong family vacation, take care to ensure any appliances are turned off. Many newer appliances have what is called a “standby” mode, which still draws a small amount of energy. Televisions and gaming systems are most notable for these modes. These loads can add up quickly. According to the US Department of Energy, these loads account for approximately 10 percent of the average family’s energy use.

Simple, quick and cheap steps can show immediate results. These steps will help you, help the cooperative and, most importantly, help the environment. For members who want to go a step further and generate solar energy at home, these simple energy savings tips can help you get the most out of your solar investment. For more information on how to manage energy use in your home, go to Managing My Energy.

How United Power is Forging a Renewable Future

United Power has long been invested in pursuing renewable projects that make economic sense for both the cooperative and its members. The cooperative has built a national reputation for its introduction of innovative renewable projects over the past decade, beginning with the launch of its community solar garden, Sol Partners, in May 2010.

As your cooperative, United Power continues to monitor the renewable energy landscape and recognizes the future of electrical generation will be an “all of the above” strategy of investing in a variety of generation sources. The addition of these projects, from utility scale solar farms to a state-leading battery storage facility, helps build some cost stability for members.

The addition of the Platteville Solar Farm in December brought United Power’s cumulative solar production to more than 45 megawatts. Together with the cooperative’s other renewable projects and its members’ rooftop solar systems, United Power produces nearly 85 total megawatts, accounting for 14 percent of its energy needs and enough to power more than 11,000 homes and businesses.

“United Power has demonstrative success in planning for and implementing renewable projects that provide tangible benefits for our members,” Gabriel said. “As we plan for the future, we’ll continue to prioritize projects that establish us as a leader in the energy industry and also meet our members’ expectations for us as their cooperative. What we’re doing now is laying the groundwork for a sustainable and environmentally friendly electric utility.”