Beginning this fall, United Power residential members will begin to see a new line of information on their bill – the ‘Demand Charge.’  For the remainder of 2018, members will see a number of kW multiplied by a zero dollar amount.  This number represents the highest level of ‘demand’ that your electric consumption creates on our system, and there is currently no cost assigned to that demand.  

While it is simply a way for you to begin understanding how you impact the electric grid today, it will eventually become a way for members to 
control and impact their own electric bills in the coming years.

What’s in your rate?

Today your rate incorporates many different costs – the cost of fuels to generate electricity, the cost to deliver the energy to your home, the cost to the electric cooperative to maintain and repair the system, even the cost of billing is included in the rates you pay. Residential members have been paying a blended bill for a long time, because most members use power in a very similar way. However, we now have access to more information about how individual members use power. We have information about every member’s energy consumption in 15 minute increments, and we can actually determine how individual households are impacting our system. This additional information allows us to break apart the various components of your electric bill and charge you more precisely for the two largest components of your bill: your impact on the electric system, or your ‘demand’ on the system, and amount of power you consume – your energy use. 

So, what is ‘demand’?

The demand charge that United Power will show on your bill is the highest amount of electricity used during a 15 minute period in that billing month. 

Here’s a simple demonstration:

Both Mary and Joe use the same amount of energy, but Joe’s demand is higher since he is using his appliances simultaneously. Mary has a lower demand because she’s staggering the use of her appliances.  

It costs more for the cooperative to serve Joe’s home than it does to serve Mary’s because we need to have the ability to produce and deliver the energy for both appliances at the same time.  We may have to plan to have additional electric generation plants or increase system resources to meet Joe’s higher demand and that comes at a cost to the entire co-op.  Under the new demand rate, if Joe continues to use power the same way his bill will be higher than in the past and Mary will see a savings. While these changes tend to be small for most households, the new rate structure will more closely represent the actual cost to provide that power.

Now is the time to study the demand number printed on your bill and determine how you impact our electric system. In 2019, our members will begin to see a cost attached to the demand portion of the bill, and a corresponding reduction in the cost of energy. While this new rate structure will provide a fairer bill for each of our members, it’s important that you understand how your behavior affects your demand. To help you understand demand, we will be providing a series of articles in upcoming issues of United Newsline and on our website.

Adams County Fair Returns August 1-5, 2018

The childhood spirit is one of nearly unbreakable confidence, unflinching resilience and endless tenacity. When toddlers get knocked down, they get back up, dust the dirt off and are ready to go another round (or five). For years, the Adams County Fair has provided an opportunity to channel that spirit into a popular rugrat rodeo activity – Mutton Bustin’. 

Mutton Bustin’ will return with the fair in August, but will introduce an exciting new change from previous event formats. In previous years, children lined up in hopes of participating, but only a select few riders were able to compete on opening night before the event vanished from the Fair. However, due to high demand, the Adams County Fair plans to host Mutton Bustin’ all five days this year, allowing more children to experience the thrills of rodeo life. 

For those unfamiliar with mutton busting, also known as wool riding, the sport gently introduces children to the rough and tumble world of bull riding, but on the backs of more mild ewes. Youthful hopefuls between the ages of 4-7 weighing less than 60 pounds are able to compete. Riders don protective gear, including a vest and helmet with metal face guard, before straddling a sheep in an individual chute and awaiting their opportunity for glory. 

Much like their adult counterparts, who earned reputations on the backs of formidably powerful steers and bulls, wool riders must maintain perfect balance on the ewe in order to earn a score. Ride for six seconds, and a score is awarded. Highest score wins a round. 

While Mutton Bustin’ has certainly been a crowd favorite over the years, the Adams County Fair features several other exciting kid-friendly activities, including bounce houses, ropes courses, zip lines, laser tag and a toddler zone. On Friday, Aug. 3, 9NEWS Kids Day will return, featuring appearances from local mascots, including the Rockies’ Dinger, the Avalanche’s Bernie and Bronco cheerleaders, as well as a United Power booth. 
 

Residents of the Town of Frederick have affirmed the purchase of the Town of Frederick’s municipal utility, which was agreed to earlier by the Town Council and United Power representatives. The Town’s website reported that the sale of the Town’s assets was affirmed by residents with a 1,716 to 236 count. Nearly 88% of all voters indicated their support for United Power to purchase the system.

“We are excited about bringing the entire Town of Frederick into the United Power membership,” stated John Parker, United Power CEO. “We want to express our thanks to the citizens of Frederick for their support in this process, and we will be working hard to make this transition a seamless process for them.”

The vote was a key step to finalize the purchase. The two entities agreed upon a purchase price of $18 million, with United Power agreeing to drop its pending lawsuit against the Town in exchange. United Power originally filed suit against the Town in July of 2017, for breach of contract and to recover damages for the Town’s taking of service rights located within United Power’s certificated territory. The suit was filed after an attempt to negotiate a settlement failed in early 2017.

“United Power has assembled a transition team that includes key engineering, operations, and member services personnel to work on this acquisition,” stated Parker. “The citizens of Frederick can be assured that we will work as quickly as possible to complete this project, and we will be working hard behind the scenes to meet all your expectations in regard to this sale.”

The election results will not be official until July 6, 2018, in order to allow for the statute-required length of time for overseas military ballots and signature verification processes to be completed.

United Power proudly announces the 2018 scholarship recipients. Sixteen scholarships were granted for a total of $18,500. United Power awards the scholarships each year to outstanding students served by the cooperative. The United Power Scholarship Committee gives these awards based on grades, test scores, extracurricular participation and a short essay. Applications are made available at the end of each year. Visit www.unitedpower.com for more information.

Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship – $1,000 Award
Jacqueline Chavez Sandoval
Weld Central High School’s senior class president has built a stellar academic resume as she heads to CU Denver in the fall. Jacqueline is vice president of the National Honor Society, a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, participates in drama club, band and dance and serves regularly at her local food bank. She plans to pursue a medical degree in pediatrics to help children in a field she loves.

Tri-State Generation & Transmission Scholarship – $1,000 Award
Sydney Bowman
Sydney, a senior at Brighton High School, has a strong academic record and a background in agriculture, and hopes to use that experience as she pursues a Ph.D. in ruminant nutrition. She has run her own cattle company since 2010, and her accolades include: Adams County Junior Livestock Superintendent, Brighton FFA Chapter Executive Committee Chair and Adams County 4-H Member’s Council President, among many others.

Lois Lesser Education Scholarship – $1,000 Award
Fabienne Kelm
Eagle Ridge Academy senior Fabienne Kelm has a passion for teaching, and will major in secondary education at Metro State University in the fall. Fabienne is treasurer of the Interact Club, which develops leadership skills while discovering the power of “Service Above Self,” a member of the National Honor Society, and has been active with the school’s student council and drama club.

Bill Berens Memorial Scholarship – $1,000 Award
Brock Gagna
Brock Gagna, also a senior at Brighton High School, has big dreams, beginning with his pursuit of a mechanical engineering degree from the Colorado School of Mines. As class valedictorian and National Honor Society president, Brock has a variety of academic honors on his resume, but also spends his time giving back to the community through tutoring elementary students and volunteering at the Food Bank of the Rockies.

United Power Youth Leadership Scholarship – $1,500 Award
Abigail Alvarez
Abigail has taken proactive steps toward reaching her goal of becoming a lawyer by age 22 since she was a freshman at Eagle Ridge Academy. In the fall, she’ll take the next step at CU Denver, armed with her high school diploma and an associate degree in criminal justice. Over the past four years, she’s been actively involved with the Adams County and Brighton Teen Courts and her church while earning a variety of academic honors.

United Power Colorado College Scholarship – $2,000 Award
Anna Estrada
Anna will graduate from both Weld Central High School and Aims Community College (as a state certified nursing assistant) in May before enrolling at CU Denver in the fall. She plans to pursue a degree in biology before continuing her education to become a physician assistant. While at Weld Central High School, Anna has been actively involved with the National Honor Society and lettered in concert band.

United Power Colorado College Scholarship – $2,000 Award
Emily Fitzjohn
High school has been a busy experience for Erie senior Emily Fitzjohn, who has participated in a variety of school clubs and organizations while staying active in and around her community. Her involvement includes National Honor Society, student council, drama club, Teens-with-Wings and the Longmont Humane Society. In the fall, Emily will attend Colorado State University in hopes of becoming a wildlife biologist.

United Power Book Awards – $1,000 Scholarships

Brighton High School: Josie Pomrenke
Josie Pomrenke is team captain for Brighton's swim team and enjoys serving in her community. In the fall, she will attend the University of Wyoming and pursue a career in medicine. She views it as her way of giving back to small, rural communities.

Prairie View High School: Rose Mendoza
Rose Mendoza is set to pursue a career in the demanding field of nuclear engineering, and will begin her path toward that goal at Oregon State University in the fall. Rose has been a part of the Technology Student Association, National Honor Society and the STARS mentor program.

Eagle Ridge Academy: Madison Mellin
Senior class president Madison Mellin has been actively involved in her school, participating in National Honor Society, student council, dance and drama. She will continue her education at Colorado State University, majoring in either journalism or business, with a minor in dance.

Frederick High School: Erica Kolanowski
Erica Kolanowski has a passion for the arts, and plans to major in art animation and graphic design at either CU Denver or Pomona College. A decorated visual artist, Erica hopes to one day join DreamWorks or Pixar Animation Studios and become and advocate for the arts.

Ft. Lupton High School: Yeilin Benitez
Yeilin Benitez plans to pursue a biomedical engineering degree at Colorado State University in the fall, and hopes to contribute to the advancement or improvement of medicine. Yeilin has participated in the Upward Bound, National Honor Society and Spanish Club, among other activities.

Mead High School: Derek Edwards
Derek Edwards hopes to mirror his desired major in petroleum engineering with a university that provides an opportunity to succeed athletically at the next level. He was a 2017 First-Team All-State selection in football and earned Academic All-State honors five times.

Weld Central High School: Silvia Sanchez
Silvia Sanchez plans to continue her education at CU Denver, pursuing a career in pediatrics. At graduation, she'll have earned an associate degree and nurse aid certification. Silvia volunteers at Platte Valley Hospital, church, and serves on student council and National Honor Society.

At-Large Book Scholarship: Cyndie O'Brien
Cydnie O'Brien hopes to become a leader in the field of forensic chemistry and help improve the justice system following her graduation from the University of Northern Colorado. The Erie High School senior has been active in student government, National Honor Society and choir.

At-Large Book Scholarship: Sean Glaister
In addition to his academic success, Legacy High senior Sean Glaister has helped shape his school through developing and/or chairing multiple service organizations. Sean plans to pursue biomedical engineering at one of several prestigious universities he's applied to.