Providing commercial members with efficient ways to help them save money and conserve energy is one of the many ways United Power partners with and gives back to its communities. In October, the cooperative presented Vestas, one of its largest commercial members, with a rebate check for $94,000 following a large-scale LED retrofit completed earlier this year. 

The rebate program is in partnership with Tri-State Generation & Transmission, the cooperative’s wholesale power provider. 

Before the installation of new lighting, the facility was using fluorescent lighting, which can dim over time creating “dark spots” throughout the work floor. This can result in inadequate lighting for workers and cause potential safety concerns. 

In total, Vestas replaced lighting in five sections of its plant, including the main work areas. The clean quality of LED lighting provides workers with more consistent, reliable light, and because LED lighting is so efficient, also cuts energy use. The overhaul cut energy use in some areas of the plant nearly in half. 

United Power makes energy savings easy through its commercial energy audit programs and rebates on select energy improvement projects. The cooperative also offers no-cost services to commercial members, including energy efficiency walkthroughs and analyses. 

These incentives and programs from Tri-State G&T and United Power are available to all commercial and industrial members. Similar rebates are also available to residential members. Learn more at www.unitedpower.com/rebates.  
 

The proactive actions of Brighton Walgreens employees prevented a United Power member from becoming the victim of an attempted utility scam—saving the customer hundreds of dollars. United Power teamed up with the Brighton Police Department Friday afternoon to present Scam Stopper awards to the attentive store employees.

“We commend Walgreens and your employees for looking out for your customers, and stopping this scam attempt,” said Troy Whitmore, United Power Public Affairs Officer. “Unfortunately, this type of scam happens more frequently than we’d like, and not all of our members are this lucky. Proactive efforts by local businesses like Walgreens are one of our best defenses against these scams.”

This phone scam attempt surfaces regularly in the United Power territory. A member is contacted over the phone by a utility imposter who instructs the member to purchase a pre-paid debit card to pay an overdue electric bill. The caller threatens disconnection of electric service if they don’t pay immediately. One lucky member who came close to becoming a victim received a similar call Friday morning. After receiving demands to pay right away, the member visited the Brighton Walgreens to deposit $400 onto a pre-paid debit card.

Walgreens employee, Kathy Olson, was running the register Friday morning and felt uneasy about the transaction after the customer mentioned she was instructed to load the pre-paid card. She consulted with the store’s assistant manager, Jessie Porter, and they advised the member of this type of scam. They encouraged the customer to verify with United Power before giving anyone money over the phone, and the member went straight to United Power’s office.

United Power warns members to be alert to this type of fraudulent activity, and to stay informed of their account status. United Power reminds members that the cooperative will never call in person to collect payment, will never demand pre-paid debit cards as payment for overdue electric bills, and will never visit a member in person to collect money. If ever in doubt, call United Power at the phone number printed on your statement, or log-in to your account online through the SmartHub Billing & Payment portal.

Brighton Police Department encourages residents to always report suspicious activity. Even if you don’t become a victim of a scam, your information helps law enforcement in their efforts to stop the perpetrators of these sophisticated scams.

Date of Notice: October 10, 2018

You are hereby notified that UNITED POWER, INC. (United) proposes to update Interconnection Standards and make changes to several tariff sheets to become effective on November 1, 2018. The Reserve Capacity rate for Net Metering will be eliminated and the wording in the Net Metering rate tariff is updated to reflect current language for Interconnection Standards.

The present and proposed tariff provisions are available for examination at the Coal Creek Branch Office, located at 5 Gross Dam Road, Golden, Colorado; the Ft. Lupton Branch office located at 1200 Dexter Street, Ft. Lupton, Colorado; and the headquarters office located at 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton Colorado.

Anyone who desires to comment about the proposed changes shall file either an informal complaint or a formal complaint with United at 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton, Colorado 80603 at least 10 days before the proposed effective date.

An informal complaint shall be in writing and shall contain such facts and other information to adequately state the reason(s) for the complaint. An informal complaint shall be considered by United, in regard to the proposed tariff changes, but will not require that a hearing be held.

Anyone who desires a hearing must file a specific and formal complaint to the proposed changes and a request for hearing at least 10 days before the proposed effective date. A formal complaint shall be in writing in the form prescribed by United’s Regulations Governing Consumer Complaints and Related Matters. Upon request, a copy of said regulations is available from United.

United may hold a hearing to determine what changes will be authorized, regardless of complaints. If proper formal complaints and request for hearings are timely filed, the Board shall schedule a hearing. The changes ultimately authorized may or may not be the same as those proposed and may include changes different than those tariffs proposed or currently in effect. Anyone who desires to receive notice of hearings, if any, shall make a written request therefor to United, at the above address at least 10 days before the proposed effective date.

UNITED POWER, INC
By: John D. Parker, Chief Executive Officer

From energizing Colorado’s first community solar field to implementing an innovative methane recapture project, United Power has been at the forefront of providing renewable energy options to our members. Today, our renewable generation projects produce enough energy to power more than 14,000 homes annually. 

Thanks to the continued development of our renewable programs and support from our dedicated members, the cooperative has become a statewide and national leader in renewable integration. In a recent survey, United Power ranked among the top utilities in solar accumulation in the country. 

Each year, the Smart Electric Power Association (SEPA) surveys data gathered from more than 440 utilities around the country and releases a report showing how they stack up against each other. The data provides a snapshot of how cooperatives like United Power compare to each other, as well as larger investor-owned utilities. 

With four energized utility scale solar farms and nearly 3,000 rooftop systems active in our territory, United Power ranked 44th in solar capacity and 48th in accumulated solar energy against all utilities across the country in 2017. Only Xcel Energy (Public Service Co.) edged out the cooperative in the state. 

Among cooperatives nationwide, United Power fared even better. In 2017, we ranked 2nd in connected solar and finished the year 5th in cumulative solar installations. 

Over the years, we’ve continued to grow and develop our renewable programs, leading the way among all 43 cooperatives in Tri-State Generation & Transmission’s four-state region. United Power recognizes the future of electrical generation will be an “all of the above” strategy of investing in a variety of generation sources, and responding to the wants and needs of our membership. 

Earlier this year, the cooperative announced plans to purchase two Tesla Battery Storage Systems in partnership with SoCore Energy, which will help us lower wholesale demand costs and potentially bring more renewable generation onto the system. 

This October, United Power will join more than 30,000 cooperatives across the country to celebrate National Co-op Month. More than 1,000 electric cooperatives serve rural communities in America. Rural electric cooperatives were established to deliver power to parts of the country that the larger, investor-owned companies had no interest in serving due to the increased costs incurred from less densely populated areas.

The demand for renewable energy, electric vehicles and new technology is at an all-time high. As your electric provider, United Power is focused on utilizing the latest technology to bring you safe and reliable power. 

While technological improvements allow us to provide energy more efficiently and renewable options become more feasible in our industry, one thing about us remains unchanged. As your cooperative, we operate under a set of principles that guide how we interact and engage with our members and the communities we serve. 

At their core, cooperatives care for their communities. From educating and empowering youth through safety demonstrations, scholarship opportunities or leadership training to sponsoring local fairs, festivals and parades, you’ll regularly find United Power actively involved in and around the communities we serve. 

So far this year, United Power has attended more than 30 fairs and festivals, provided thousands of dollars in college scholarships to high school seniors and sent five area youth on leadership training trips. 

Preparing for the future also means supporting community growth and development. United Power’s employees work as partners in the cities and towns we serve, helping each community reach its vision for the future. Employees are encouraged to have active roles within their communities through involvement in local organizations and charities, sitting on boards and councils and supporting local schools. 

Employees sit on the board of school foundations, non-profits, chambers of commerce, economic development councils, leadership councils and more. Their presence helps strengthen not only the communities, but our relationship to them. 

While leadership within United Power has a strategic vision for the future, our members may see opportunities they’d like to share with us. As a member, you have a voice in the cooperative. Cooperatives have democratically elected leadership. Members are eligible to run for Board seats and vote in annual elections. 

United Power isn’t alone in caring for communities. These are principles found within cooperatives throughout the country and in every industry. More than 350 million members benefit from the cooperative difference. Cooperatives generate jobs, keep profits local and pay taxes to help support community services. Their community involvement ensures everyone has an opportunity to benefit from cooperative principles. 

We understand what really prepares us for the future is you, our members. United Power is proud to be a part of America’s cooperative network, and we are dedicated to bringing safe, reliable electricity to our members. 
 

We’ve incorporated feedback from members like you to provide you with an easier to read bill. In the coming months, you’ll receive a newly designed billing statement that has been streamlined and re-organized so you can find the information you need as quickly and easily as possible. 

A quick glance at the new statement will allow you to easily see how much energy you used, the total amount due and the payment due date. The new design also includes more information about your energy use and consumption history, and more information relevant to members taking advantage of rebates, billing programs and those with net-metered service locations.

More information about how to read the new bill will be included in your first statement with the new look. Watch your mailbox or your SmartHub statement alerts for your new United Power billing statement.