Title
United Power Advances Capital Credit Retirement to Alleviate COVID Impacts
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/MoneyFallingFromSky_0.jpg?itok=0_Z41tCx
Tuesday | April 28, 2020
Card Teaser
Members are getting cash back from their co-op in May.
Article originally published on April 18, 2020.
United Power is returning $5.5 million in Capital Credits to members beginning in May and nearly every member is getting a payment. Due to the unique economic stresses being placed on our members because of the COVID 19 situation, United Power’s Board of Directors has opted to distribute Capital Credit refunds earlier than in prior years. In past years the retirements were made in August, but the United Power Board felt members could use the economic relief now.
“We know that many of our members have been impacted by this health emergency – through cuts in pay, job losses, or increased health costs,” said Bryant Robbins, Chief Executive Officer. “This retirement will provide money back to nearly all our members when they need it most.”
In 2020, United Power is retiring $5.5 million to members. The total amount of money retired is divided among all members and is being issued in May. Additionally, while these payments have typically been issued as checks, more refunds will be applied to bills in order to reduce the need for our members to go to a bank during this health emergency. Members receiving a retirement of $50 or less, will see a bill credit directly on their May electric bill. Those receiving larger retirement amounts will receive a check.
Capital credits represent ownership in United Power and are one of the most unique and rewarding benefits afforded to members of electric cooperatives. Unlike investor-owned utilities that maximize profits to pay dividends to shareholders, not-for-profit electric co-ops like United Power provide our members with “at cost” electric service—we do not exist to earn a profit. At the end of each year, after all operational expenses have been covered, a portion of any excess funds is returned to the members in the form of capital credits. Learn more about capital credits, or if you have additional questions please call our Member Services team at 303-637-1300.
In addition to the advancement of Capital Credit refunds, the cooperative has temporarily suspended disconnections and is providing payment arrangements for members who have been directly impacted by COVID 19. The Board of Directors has also established the Co-op Cares fund allocating $250,000 in unclaimed capital credits to provide direct assistance to members facing hardships due to the pandemic.
Any members who may have troubles paying their electric bills are encouraged to call United Power at 303-637-1300 and our Member Services team will match them with all of the available resources and assistance options.
Title
United Power Among Nation’s Best in Reliability and Resiliency
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Nov2021_NL_SystemReliability.jpg?h=45932144&itok=twbW3RYA
Tuesday | February 27, 2024
Card Teaser
Cooperative achieves record SAIDI score for second year in a row.
Cooperative Achieves Record SAIDI Score for Second Year in a Row
United Power’s core responsibility to its members as an electric cooperative is ensuring consistently reliable power, which means the lights stay on and the power continues flowing whenever you need it to be available. Several years ago, the co-op’s operations and engineering staff began coordinating the implementation of an innovative system maintenance strategy. It incorporated embedded devices throughout the system and preventative maintenance practices to meet ambitious goals for reliability and resiliency – defined as the ability to rapidly recover from power outages, such as reducing frequency or duration.
Results exceeded expectations. United Power successfully prevented thousands of potential power interruptions before they occurred, dramatically reducing the number of outages members experience and limiting the duration when outages do occur. The strategy has produced sustained improvements in reliability and resiliency year-over-year since it was implemented in 2017, cementing the cooperative’s status among the best performing electric utilities in the country.
By the Numbers
Electric utilities measure system performance and develop improvement plans using a variety of indicators, such as the System Average Interruption Duration Index – more commonly known as SAIDI – and the System Average Interruption Frequency Index, or SAIFI. These indicators, among the many that United Power and other electric utilities use to measure how successful systems are performing, essentially analyze data and calculate outage expectations for an average member.
SAIDI measures the total outage time an average member would expect to experience over the course of a year (cumulative duration of all outages experienced). The national average is approximately 120 minutes. United Power has not produced a SAIDI score above 72 minutes since 2017 and has maintained a score below 60 minutes – less than half the national average – for the past two years.
SAIFI measures the total number of outages an average member would expect to experience over the course of a year (frequency of outages experienced). United Power’s SAIFI score of 0.65 in 2023 means the average meter experienced fewer than one outage throughout the year. Put another way, many of the cooperative’s members did not experience an outage last year.
Other performance indicators are used, as well. One of those indicators measures the system’s overall availability rate. The co-op’s availability in 2023 was greater than 99%.
“These metrics demonstrate the success of the strategies we are using to improve reliability and resiliency across our system,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power’s President and CEO. “Thank you to our operations and engineering teams, who are responsible for interpreting data from the system and designing the strategies we practice in the field.”
Preventative Maintenance Practices Installed
United Power incorporated a proactive approach to system maintenance in 2017. The strategy relies on analyzing data collected across thousands of miles of line and isolating the worst-performing segments. Targeted maintenance projects are then scheduled to improve the performance for that segment.
One example of this strategy is the co-op’s drone maintenance program. The program began in United Power’s mountain territory, where accessing poles and infrastructure can be difficult and time consuming due to the rugged terrain and weather. Drones can quickly conduct detailed investigations and document broken, failing, or aging equipment. Drones have saved the cooperative countless hours and prevented hundreds of potential outages. Since completing initial inspections in Coal Creek Canyon and Golden Gate Canyon, the drone maintenance program has been used throughout the entire service territory.
Advanced Monitoring Technology
Preventative maintenance would not be possible without automated monitoring devices embedded throughout the system that report irregularities and potential concerns. These devices capture important information to help system operators determine the best power restoration process in the event of an outage and can help crews in the field pinpoint the time and location of a fault.
The ability to quickly locate a fault, identify its cause, and restore power to members, often remotely due to redundancies built into the system for this very purpose, has significantly improved the cooperative’s outage response and reduced the duration of outages. Identifying problematic areas would be difficult without this information and could create additional delays in power restoration because lineworkers would need to physically inspect miles of line to locate and repair the cause.
Readying for the Power Supply Transition
United Power will be transitioning to new power suppliers on May 1 as the cooperative exits its existing power supply contract. United Power’s robust distribution system is ready to take the cooperative into the future of our new energy supply. This transition will have no impact on the system’s reliability.
The added flexibility of additional power supply contracts as the cooperative grows may even improve system performance in the long term with the ability to make proactive infrastructure upgrades.
United Power is already among the best performing electric utilities in the country, and leadership at the co-op is continually seeking to improve its system reliability and resiliency. Whether it is proactive maintenance strategies, automated devices, or other system improvements, the cooperative is always looking for ways to improve and meet member expectations.
Title
United Power and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Execute Settlement Term Sheet
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/10_08_2018_Tariffs.png?h=45932144&itok=LdJNvJkr
Wednesday | November 8, 2023
Terms outline Settlement Agreement for power purchases and sale of utility assets.
Following execution of a Settlement Agreement, United Power and Tri-State will file to dismiss litigation in the Adams County District Court.
Settlement Agreement does not address contract termination payment proceeding before federal regulators.
Brighton/Westminster, Colorado – On Nov. 1, 2023, United Power, Inc. (United Power) and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Tri-State) executed a Term Sheet that sets forth terms for the two utilities to make good faith efforts to execute a formal Settlement Agreement involving power purchases and the sale of utility assets from Tri-State to United Power.
The Term Sheet provides for a mutual release of claims and that the parties will cooperate to complete a Settlement Agreement and related agreements by Dec. 8, 2023, at which time United Power and Tri-State will jointly file for dismissal of the lawsuit, with prejudice, pending in the Adams County District Court.
On Nov. 1, 2023, Tri-State’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the Term Sheet. On Nov. 6, 2023, United Power’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the Term Sheet.
Tri-State and United Power will continue to take actions to ensure United Power’s timely exit by May 1, 2024, upon payment of a contract termination payment, with the amount to be set by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission).
The Settlement Agreement will not address the Commission proceeding related to the contract termination payment that members will pay to Tri-State to terminate their contracts early and withdraw from membership. The parties expect the Commission to issue a decision in that proceeding shortly.
No further public comments will be made about the Settlement Agreement.
About United PowerUnited 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 co-ops in the nation, and in June 2021 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, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.About Tri-State Generation and TransmissionTri-State is a power supply cooperative of 45 members, operating on a not-for-profit basis, including 42 utility electric distribution cooperative and public power district members in four states. Together with our member/owners, we deliver reliable, affordable and responsible power to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West. For more information about Tri-State, visit www.tristate.coop.
###
Title
United Power Announces 2018 Youth Tour and Youth Leadership Camp Delegates
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Apr2018_NL_YouthTour_YouthCamp.png?itok=Axem4HLA
Monday | April 2, 2018
2018 D.C. Youth Tour Delegates
United Power selected three local students to represent the cooperative at this year’s Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington D.C in June. Hannah Rockwell of Brighton, Megan Lewis from Firestone and Jordyn Saffy of Brighton were selected based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, volunteer efforts and a brief essay.
Local electric cooperatives throughout the country sponsor approximately 1,500 ambitious high school students from small towns and cities for an incredible week in the nation’s capital with the objective of providing an educational experience for young people on the organization and operation of a cooperative. Cooperatives are committed to educating America’s rural youth about the country and the role electric cooperatives play in developing strong rural communities.
Hannah Rockwell is a student at Weld Central High School where she is an athlete in cross country and track. She is a member of the National Honor Society and president of her school’s Future Business Leaders of America Club. Hannah loves school and her future plans include pursuing a career in medicine.
Megan Lewis attends Frederick High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society and the Student Advisory Committee. Megan is active in musicals/plays at her school, and is on both the varsity cross country and tennis teams. Her future plans include college and medical school.
Jordyn Saffy attends high school at Eagle Ridge Academy. Jordan is captain of the volleyball team, president of the spirit team and participates in track and field. Her future plans include a degree in health sciences, which she intends to use to help those in need.
2018 Youth Leadership Camp Winners
United Power has also selected Brooklyn Stubby of Mapleton Early College in Commerce City and Catera Gagna of Brighton to represent the cooperative at the 2018 Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp in Steamboat Springs, Colorado this July. The camp is offered to high school juniors and seniors in the United Power service area. Interested students are asked to apply, and winners are selected based on academic performance, extracurriculr activities and volunteer efforts.
The primary objective of the camp is to provide an educational experience for youth on the organization and operation of a cooperative. The camp strives to help develop leadership skills that will assist students with challenges they will face in the future.
Brooklyn Stubby attends Mapleton Early College and is active in student council, swimming and student mentoring. Brooklyn is keeping her options open, but is considering physical therapy, detective work or personal training/nutrition.
Catera Gagna is a student at Brighton High School and plays softball. She is a member of the principal’s honor roll, student government and volunteers at a local elementary school. Catera plans to attend college and pursue a career in engineering.
Title
United Power Announces 2019 Scholarship Recipients
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/May2018_NL_Scholarships_0.png?itok=EfJ7RiIp
Wednesday | April 17, 2019
Card Teaser
United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2019.
United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2019. Each year, the cooperative awards more than $19,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory. The United Power Scholarship Committee selected seventeen high school seniors based on grades, test scores, extracurricular activities and a brief essay. Applications are made available at the end of each year.
United Power’s 2019 scholarship recipients will be announced during the cooperative’s Annual Meeting & Director Election on April 17 and recognized in its monthly newsletter to members. The 2019 scholarship recipients are:
• Daniel Smith, Weld Central, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
• Alexx McMillan, Prairie View High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
• Amanda Ruybal, Brighton High School, United Power Youth Leadership Scholarship, $1,500
• Megan Lewis, Frederick High School, Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship, $1,000
• Alexia Simonton, Holy Family, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Scholarship, $1,000
• Kaylee Speer, Frederick High School, Lois Lesser Education Scholarship, $1,000
• Amanda Schmidt, Frederick High School, Bill Berens Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
United Power dedicates a book scholarship to each high school within its service territory, provided it receives an application. This year, United Power distributed ten $1,000 book scholarships, including one “at-large” selection.
Book scholarships for 2019 were awarded to Ayaka Hayashi, Brighton High School; Elena Pocs, Prairie View High School; Scott Hampton, Eagle Ridge Academy; Hailee Hurtado, Frederick High School; Joanna Santibanez, Ft. Lupton High School; Kelley McAmis, Mead High School; Hannah Rockwell, Weld Central High School; Anna Yocom, Mountain Territory; Emily Thoren, Erie High School; and Sophia Kate Thompson, at-large selection.
Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients, and thank you to all the students who submitted their application. United Power is committed to supporting the postsecondary education efforts of students it serves.
Title
United Power Announces 2020 Scholarship Recipients
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/May2018_NL_Scholarships.png?h=45932144&itok=4jCIAZii
Friday | May 1, 2020
Card Teaser
United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2020.
United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2020. Each year, the cooperative awards more than $19,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory. The United Power Scholarship Committee selected seventeen high school seniors based on grades, test scores, extracurricular activities and a brief essay. Applications are made available at the end of each year.
United Power’s 2020 scholarship recipients will be announced during the cooperative’s Annual Meeting & Director Election on April 15 and recognized in its monthly newsletter to members. The 2020 scholarship recipients are:
• Jade Glaister, Legacy High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
• Wesley Swieter, Weld Central High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
• Madison Harper, Erie High School, United Power Youth Leadership Scholarship, $1,500
• Skylar Tempel, Erie High School, Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship, $1,000
• Calla Winner, Peak to Peak Charter, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Scholarship, $1,000
• Elizabeth Dexter, Fort Lupton High School, Lois Lesser Education Scholarship, $1,000
• Rylie James, Prospect Ridge Academy, Bill Berens Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
United Power dedicates a book scholarship to each high school within its service territory, provided it receives an application. This year, United Power distributed ten $1,000 book scholarships, including one “at-large” selection. Book scholarships for 2020 were awarded to Brianna Diaz, Brighton High School; Angelica Fletcher, Prairie View High School; Megan Harrison, Eagle Ridge Academy; Michael Clementson, Frederick High School; Dina Zito, Ft. Lupton High School; Blake LaVanchy, Mead High School; Ivonne Olivas, Weld Central High School; Claire Diekman, Mountain Territory; Jeffrey Fitzjohn, Erie High School; and Claire Fisk, at-large selection.
Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients, and thank you to all the students who submitted their application. United Power is committed to supporting the postsecondary education efforts of students it serves.
Title
United Power Announces 2021 Scholarship Recipients
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/May2018_NL_Scholarships_0.png?itok=EfJ7RiIp
Wednesday | May 12, 2021
Card Teaser
Each year, the cooperative awards more than $19,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory.
Brighton, CO – United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2021. Each year, the cooperative awards more than $19,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory. The United Power Scholarship Committee selected seventeen high school seniors based on grades, test scores, extracurricular activities and a brief essay. Applications are made available at the end of each year.
More information about United Power’s 2021 scholarship recipients can be found in the co-op’s monthly newsletter to members. The 2021 scholarship recipients are:
Sejal Goud, Standley Lake High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
Lucas Stanford, Prairie View High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
Elena Marraudino, Prairie View High School, United Power Youth Leadership Scholarship, $1,500
Alexander Juenemann, Erie High School, Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship, $1,000
Dominic Gittlein, Frederick High School, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Scholarship, $1,000
Ashley Settergren, Brighton High School, Lois Lesser Education Scholarship, $1,000
Emily Pira, Prairie View High School, Bill Berens Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
United Power dedicates a book scholarship to each high school within its service territory, provided it receives an application. This year, United Power distributed ten $1,000 book scholarships, including one “at-large” selection. Book scholarships for 2021 were awarded to:
Claire Asmussen, Brighton High School
Morgan Barba, Prairie View High School
Walker Bargmann, Eagle Ridge Academy
MacKenzie Umberger, Frederick High School
Gabriela Tijerina, Ft. Lupton High School
Jacob Choksey, Mead High School
Brooke Dowdy, Weld Central High School
Nolan Lindberg, Mountain Territory
Isabelle Bieber, Erie High School
Audrey Thompson, at-large selection
Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients and thank you to all the students who submitted their application. United Power is committed to supporting the postsecondary education efforts of students it serves.
United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. As one of the fastest-growing electric cooperatives in the nation, the utility will join the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters by the end of this summer. 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. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.###
Title
United Power Announces 2022 Scholarship Recipients
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/May2018_NL_Scholarships.png?h=45932144&itok=4jCIAZii
Wednesday | April 20, 2022
Card Teaser
Each year, the cooperative awards more than $20,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory.
Brighton, CO – United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2022. Each year, the cooperative awards more than $20,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory. The United Power Scholarship Committee selected 19 high school seniors based on grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, community involvement and a written essay. Applications are made available by December each year.
2022 scholarship recipients include:
Kira Donahue, Legacy High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
Michael Garcia, Eagle Ridge Academy, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
Sophia Meza, Frederick High School, United Power Youth Leadership Scholarship, $1,500
Lauryn Daniel, Erie High School, Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship, $1,000
Bethany Parker, Frederick High School, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Scholarship, $1,000
Hayley Price, Mead High School, Lois Lesser Education Scholarship, $1,000
Will Greiner, Frederick High School, Bill Berens Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
Additionally, United Power dedicates a book scholarship to each high school within its service territory, provided students from those schools submit applications. This year, United Power distributed 12 of these $1,000 scholarships, including two “at-large” selections. Dedicated book scholarships for 2022 were awarded to:
Giana Rocha, Brighton High School
Adrien Ambrosio, Eagle Ridge Academy
Kaitlyn Fitzjohn, Erie High School
Elizabeth Schmidt, Frederick High School
Jennifer Silva Garcia, Fort Lupton High School
Elsa Burgesser, Mead High School
Aubree Burris, Prairie View High School
Ximena Navarro, Riverdale Ridge High School
Cesar Calixto, Weld Central High School
Halle Yocom, Mountain Territory
Daniela Guadana Huizar, at-large selection
Audrey Long, at-large selection.
More information about United Power’s 2022 scholarship recipients can be found in the co-op’s monthly newsletter to members.
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 2021 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, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.###
Title
United Power Advances Capital Credit Retirement to Alleviate COVID Impacts
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/MoneyFallingFromSky_0.jpg?itok=0_Z41tCx
Tuesday | April 28, 2020
Card Teaser
Members are getting cash back from their co-op in May.
Article originally published on April 18, 2020.
United Power is returning $5.5 million in Capital Credits to members beginning in May and nearly every member is getting a payment. Due to the unique economic stresses being placed on our members because of the COVID 19 situation, United Power’s Board of Directors has opted to distribute Capital Credit refunds earlier than in prior years. In past years the retirements were made in August, but the United Power Board felt members could use the economic relief now.
“We know that many of our members have been impacted by this health emergency – through cuts in pay, job losses, or increased health costs,” said Bryant Robbins, Chief Executive Officer. “This retirement will provide money back to nearly all our members when they need it most.”
In 2020, United Power is retiring $5.5 million to members. The total amount of money retired is divided among all members and is being issued in May. Additionally, while these payments have typically been issued as checks, more refunds will be applied to bills in order to reduce the need for our members to go to a bank during this health emergency. Members receiving a retirement of $50 or less, will see a bill credit directly on their May electric bill. Those receiving larger retirement amounts will receive a check.
Capital credits represent ownership in United Power and are one of the most unique and rewarding benefits afforded to members of electric cooperatives. Unlike investor-owned utilities that maximize profits to pay dividends to shareholders, not-for-profit electric co-ops like United Power provide our members with “at cost” electric service—we do not exist to earn a profit. At the end of each year, after all operational expenses have been covered, a portion of any excess funds is returned to the members in the form of capital credits. Learn more about capital credits, or if you have additional questions please call our Member Services team at 303-637-1300.
In addition to the advancement of Capital Credit refunds, the cooperative has temporarily suspended disconnections and is providing payment arrangements for members who have been directly impacted by COVID 19. The Board of Directors has also established the Co-op Cares fund allocating $250,000 in unclaimed capital credits to provide direct assistance to members facing hardships due to the pandemic.
Any members who may have troubles paying their electric bills are encouraged to call United Power at 303-637-1300 and our Member Services team will match them with all of the available resources and assistance options.
Title
United Power Among Nation’s Best in Reliability and Resiliency
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Nov2021_NL_SystemReliability.jpg?h=45932144&itok=twbW3RYA
Tuesday | February 27, 2024
Card Teaser
Cooperative achieves record SAIDI score for second year in a row.
Cooperative Achieves Record SAIDI Score for Second Year in a Row
United Power’s core responsibility to its members as an electric cooperative is ensuring consistently reliable power, which means the lights stay on and the power continues flowing whenever you need it to be available. Several years ago, the co-op’s operations and engineering staff began coordinating the implementation of an innovative system maintenance strategy. It incorporated embedded devices throughout the system and preventative maintenance practices to meet ambitious goals for reliability and resiliency – defined as the ability to rapidly recover from power outages, such as reducing frequency or duration.
Results exceeded expectations. United Power successfully prevented thousands of potential power interruptions before they occurred, dramatically reducing the number of outages members experience and limiting the duration when outages do occur. The strategy has produced sustained improvements in reliability and resiliency year-over-year since it was implemented in 2017, cementing the cooperative’s status among the best performing electric utilities in the country.
By the Numbers
Electric utilities measure system performance and develop improvement plans using a variety of indicators, such as the System Average Interruption Duration Index – more commonly known as SAIDI – and the System Average Interruption Frequency Index, or SAIFI. These indicators, among the many that United Power and other electric utilities use to measure how successful systems are performing, essentially analyze data and calculate outage expectations for an average member.
SAIDI measures the total outage time an average member would expect to experience over the course of a year (cumulative duration of all outages experienced). The national average is approximately 120 minutes. United Power has not produced a SAIDI score above 72 minutes since 2017 and has maintained a score below 60 minutes – less than half the national average – for the past two years.
SAIFI measures the total number of outages an average member would expect to experience over the course of a year (frequency of outages experienced). United Power’s SAIFI score of 0.65 in 2023 means the average meter experienced fewer than one outage throughout the year. Put another way, many of the cooperative’s members did not experience an outage last year.
Other performance indicators are used, as well. One of those indicators measures the system’s overall availability rate. The co-op’s availability in 2023 was greater than 99%.
“These metrics demonstrate the success of the strategies we are using to improve reliability and resiliency across our system,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power’s President and CEO. “Thank you to our operations and engineering teams, who are responsible for interpreting data from the system and designing the strategies we practice in the field.”
Preventative Maintenance Practices Installed
United Power incorporated a proactive approach to system maintenance in 2017. The strategy relies on analyzing data collected across thousands of miles of line and isolating the worst-performing segments. Targeted maintenance projects are then scheduled to improve the performance for that segment.
One example of this strategy is the co-op’s drone maintenance program. The program began in United Power’s mountain territory, where accessing poles and infrastructure can be difficult and time consuming due to the rugged terrain and weather. Drones can quickly conduct detailed investigations and document broken, failing, or aging equipment. Drones have saved the cooperative countless hours and prevented hundreds of potential outages. Since completing initial inspections in Coal Creek Canyon and Golden Gate Canyon, the drone maintenance program has been used throughout the entire service territory.
Advanced Monitoring Technology
Preventative maintenance would not be possible without automated monitoring devices embedded throughout the system that report irregularities and potential concerns. These devices capture important information to help system operators determine the best power restoration process in the event of an outage and can help crews in the field pinpoint the time and location of a fault.
The ability to quickly locate a fault, identify its cause, and restore power to members, often remotely due to redundancies built into the system for this very purpose, has significantly improved the cooperative’s outage response and reduced the duration of outages. Identifying problematic areas would be difficult without this information and could create additional delays in power restoration because lineworkers would need to physically inspect miles of line to locate and repair the cause.
Readying for the Power Supply Transition
United Power will be transitioning to new power suppliers on May 1 as the cooperative exits its existing power supply contract. United Power’s robust distribution system is ready to take the cooperative into the future of our new energy supply. This transition will have no impact on the system’s reliability.
The added flexibility of additional power supply contracts as the cooperative grows may even improve system performance in the long term with the ability to make proactive infrastructure upgrades.
United Power is already among the best performing electric utilities in the country, and leadership at the co-op is continually seeking to improve its system reliability and resiliency. Whether it is proactive maintenance strategies, automated devices, or other system improvements, the cooperative is always looking for ways to improve and meet member expectations.
Title
United Power and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Execute Settlement Term Sheet
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/10_08_2018_Tariffs.png?h=45932144&itok=LdJNvJkr
Wednesday | November 8, 2023
Terms outline Settlement Agreement for power purchases and sale of utility assets.
Following execution of a Settlement Agreement, United Power and Tri-State will file to dismiss litigation in the Adams County District Court.
Settlement Agreement does not address contract termination payment proceeding before federal regulators.
Brighton/Westminster, Colorado – On Nov. 1, 2023, United Power, Inc. (United Power) and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Tri-State) executed a Term Sheet that sets forth terms for the two utilities to make good faith efforts to execute a formal Settlement Agreement involving power purchases and the sale of utility assets from Tri-State to United Power.
The Term Sheet provides for a mutual release of claims and that the parties will cooperate to complete a Settlement Agreement and related agreements by Dec. 8, 2023, at which time United Power and Tri-State will jointly file for dismissal of the lawsuit, with prejudice, pending in the Adams County District Court.
On Nov. 1, 2023, Tri-State’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the Term Sheet. On Nov. 6, 2023, United Power’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the Term Sheet.
Tri-State and United Power will continue to take actions to ensure United Power’s timely exit by May 1, 2024, upon payment of a contract termination payment, with the amount to be set by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission).
The Settlement Agreement will not address the Commission proceeding related to the contract termination payment that members will pay to Tri-State to terminate their contracts early and withdraw from membership. The parties expect the Commission to issue a decision in that proceeding shortly.
No further public comments will be made about the Settlement Agreement.
About United PowerUnited 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 co-ops in the nation, and in June 2021 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, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.About Tri-State Generation and TransmissionTri-State is a power supply cooperative of 45 members, operating on a not-for-profit basis, including 42 utility electric distribution cooperative and public power district members in four states. Together with our member/owners, we deliver reliable, affordable and responsible power to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West. For more information about Tri-State, visit www.tristate.coop.
###
Title
United Power Announces 2018 Youth Tour and Youth Leadership Camp Delegates
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Apr2018_NL_YouthTour_YouthCamp.png?itok=Axem4HLA
Monday | April 2, 2018
2018 D.C. Youth Tour Delegates
United Power selected three local students to represent the cooperative at this year’s Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington D.C in June. Hannah Rockwell of Brighton, Megan Lewis from Firestone and Jordyn Saffy of Brighton were selected based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, volunteer efforts and a brief essay.
Local electric cooperatives throughout the country sponsor approximately 1,500 ambitious high school students from small towns and cities for an incredible week in the nation’s capital with the objective of providing an educational experience for young people on the organization and operation of a cooperative. Cooperatives are committed to educating America’s rural youth about the country and the role electric cooperatives play in developing strong rural communities.
Hannah Rockwell is a student at Weld Central High School where she is an athlete in cross country and track. She is a member of the National Honor Society and president of her school’s Future Business Leaders of America Club. Hannah loves school and her future plans include pursuing a career in medicine.
Megan Lewis attends Frederick High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society and the Student Advisory Committee. Megan is active in musicals/plays at her school, and is on both the varsity cross country and tennis teams. Her future plans include college and medical school.
Jordyn Saffy attends high school at Eagle Ridge Academy. Jordan is captain of the volleyball team, president of the spirit team and participates in track and field. Her future plans include a degree in health sciences, which she intends to use to help those in need.
2018 Youth Leadership Camp Winners
United Power has also selected Brooklyn Stubby of Mapleton Early College in Commerce City and Catera Gagna of Brighton to represent the cooperative at the 2018 Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp in Steamboat Springs, Colorado this July. The camp is offered to high school juniors and seniors in the United Power service area. Interested students are asked to apply, and winners are selected based on academic performance, extracurriculr activities and volunteer efforts.
The primary objective of the camp is to provide an educational experience for youth on the organization and operation of a cooperative. The camp strives to help develop leadership skills that will assist students with challenges they will face in the future.
Brooklyn Stubby attends Mapleton Early College and is active in student council, swimming and student mentoring. Brooklyn is keeping her options open, but is considering physical therapy, detective work or personal training/nutrition.
Catera Gagna is a student at Brighton High School and plays softball. She is a member of the principal’s honor roll, student government and volunteers at a local elementary school. Catera plans to attend college and pursue a career in engineering.
Title
United Power Announces 2019 Scholarship Recipients
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/May2018_NL_Scholarships_0.png?itok=EfJ7RiIp
Wednesday | April 17, 2019
Card Teaser
United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2019.
United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2019. Each year, the cooperative awards more than $19,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory. The United Power Scholarship Committee selected seventeen high school seniors based on grades, test scores, extracurricular activities and a brief essay. Applications are made available at the end of each year.
United Power’s 2019 scholarship recipients will be announced during the cooperative’s Annual Meeting & Director Election on April 17 and recognized in its monthly newsletter to members. The 2019 scholarship recipients are:
• Daniel Smith, Weld Central, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
• Alexx McMillan, Prairie View High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
• Amanda Ruybal, Brighton High School, United Power Youth Leadership Scholarship, $1,500
• Megan Lewis, Frederick High School, Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship, $1,000
• Alexia Simonton, Holy Family, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Scholarship, $1,000
• Kaylee Speer, Frederick High School, Lois Lesser Education Scholarship, $1,000
• Amanda Schmidt, Frederick High School, Bill Berens Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
United Power dedicates a book scholarship to each high school within its service territory, provided it receives an application. This year, United Power distributed ten $1,000 book scholarships, including one “at-large” selection.
Book scholarships for 2019 were awarded to Ayaka Hayashi, Brighton High School; Elena Pocs, Prairie View High School; Scott Hampton, Eagle Ridge Academy; Hailee Hurtado, Frederick High School; Joanna Santibanez, Ft. Lupton High School; Kelley McAmis, Mead High School; Hannah Rockwell, Weld Central High School; Anna Yocom, Mountain Territory; Emily Thoren, Erie High School; and Sophia Kate Thompson, at-large selection.
Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients, and thank you to all the students who submitted their application. United Power is committed to supporting the postsecondary education efforts of students it serves.
Title
United Power Announces 2020 Scholarship Recipients
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/May2018_NL_Scholarships.png?h=45932144&itok=4jCIAZii
Friday | May 1, 2020
Card Teaser
United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2020.
United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2020. Each year, the cooperative awards more than $19,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory. The United Power Scholarship Committee selected seventeen high school seniors based on grades, test scores, extracurricular activities and a brief essay. Applications are made available at the end of each year.
United Power’s 2020 scholarship recipients will be announced during the cooperative’s Annual Meeting & Director Election on April 15 and recognized in its monthly newsletter to members. The 2020 scholarship recipients are:
• Jade Glaister, Legacy High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
• Wesley Swieter, Weld Central High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
• Madison Harper, Erie High School, United Power Youth Leadership Scholarship, $1,500
• Skylar Tempel, Erie High School, Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship, $1,000
• Calla Winner, Peak to Peak Charter, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Scholarship, $1,000
• Elizabeth Dexter, Fort Lupton High School, Lois Lesser Education Scholarship, $1,000
• Rylie James, Prospect Ridge Academy, Bill Berens Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
United Power dedicates a book scholarship to each high school within its service territory, provided it receives an application. This year, United Power distributed ten $1,000 book scholarships, including one “at-large” selection. Book scholarships for 2020 were awarded to Brianna Diaz, Brighton High School; Angelica Fletcher, Prairie View High School; Megan Harrison, Eagle Ridge Academy; Michael Clementson, Frederick High School; Dina Zito, Ft. Lupton High School; Blake LaVanchy, Mead High School; Ivonne Olivas, Weld Central High School; Claire Diekman, Mountain Territory; Jeffrey Fitzjohn, Erie High School; and Claire Fisk, at-large selection.
Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients, and thank you to all the students who submitted their application. United Power is committed to supporting the postsecondary education efforts of students it serves.
Title
United Power Announces 2021 Scholarship Recipients
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/May2018_NL_Scholarships_0.png?itok=EfJ7RiIp
Wednesday | May 12, 2021
Card Teaser
Each year, the cooperative awards more than $19,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory.
Brighton, CO – United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2021. Each year, the cooperative awards more than $19,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory. The United Power Scholarship Committee selected seventeen high school seniors based on grades, test scores, extracurricular activities and a brief essay. Applications are made available at the end of each year.
More information about United Power’s 2021 scholarship recipients can be found in the co-op’s monthly newsletter to members. The 2021 scholarship recipients are:
Sejal Goud, Standley Lake High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
Lucas Stanford, Prairie View High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
Elena Marraudino, Prairie View High School, United Power Youth Leadership Scholarship, $1,500
Alexander Juenemann, Erie High School, Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship, $1,000
Dominic Gittlein, Frederick High School, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Scholarship, $1,000
Ashley Settergren, Brighton High School, Lois Lesser Education Scholarship, $1,000
Emily Pira, Prairie View High School, Bill Berens Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
United Power dedicates a book scholarship to each high school within its service territory, provided it receives an application. This year, United Power distributed ten $1,000 book scholarships, including one “at-large” selection. Book scholarships for 2021 were awarded to:
Claire Asmussen, Brighton High School
Morgan Barba, Prairie View High School
Walker Bargmann, Eagle Ridge Academy
MacKenzie Umberger, Frederick High School
Gabriela Tijerina, Ft. Lupton High School
Jacob Choksey, Mead High School
Brooke Dowdy, Weld Central High School
Nolan Lindberg, Mountain Territory
Isabelle Bieber, Erie High School
Audrey Thompson, at-large selection
Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients and thank you to all the students who submitted their application. United Power is committed to supporting the postsecondary education efforts of students it serves.
United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. As one of the fastest-growing electric cooperatives in the nation, the utility will join the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters by the end of this summer. 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. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.###
Title
United Power Announces 2022 Scholarship Recipients
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/May2018_NL_Scholarships.png?h=45932144&itok=4jCIAZii
Wednesday | April 20, 2022
Card Teaser
Each year, the cooperative awards more than $20,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory.
Brighton, CO – United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2022. Each year, the cooperative awards more than $20,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory. The United Power Scholarship Committee selected 19 high school seniors based on grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, community involvement and a written essay. Applications are made available by December each year.
2022 scholarship recipients include:
Kira Donahue, Legacy High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
Michael Garcia, Eagle Ridge Academy, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
Sophia Meza, Frederick High School, United Power Youth Leadership Scholarship, $1,500
Lauryn Daniel, Erie High School, Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship, $1,000
Bethany Parker, Frederick High School, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Scholarship, $1,000
Hayley Price, Mead High School, Lois Lesser Education Scholarship, $1,000
Will Greiner, Frederick High School, Bill Berens Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
Additionally, United Power dedicates a book scholarship to each high school within its service territory, provided students from those schools submit applications. This year, United Power distributed 12 of these $1,000 scholarships, including two “at-large” selections. Dedicated book scholarships for 2022 were awarded to:
Giana Rocha, Brighton High School
Adrien Ambrosio, Eagle Ridge Academy
Kaitlyn Fitzjohn, Erie High School
Elizabeth Schmidt, Frederick High School
Jennifer Silva Garcia, Fort Lupton High School
Elsa Burgesser, Mead High School
Aubree Burris, Prairie View High School
Ximena Navarro, Riverdale Ridge High School
Cesar Calixto, Weld Central High School
Halle Yocom, Mountain Territory
Daniela Guadana Huizar, at-large selection
Audrey Long, at-large selection.
More information about United Power’s 2022 scholarship recipients can be found in the co-op’s monthly newsletter to members.
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 2021 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, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.###
