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09/25/2023 - 11:29 AM
Title Practical EV Driving /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/EV_plugin.jpg?h=45932144&itok=UKkauilg Monday | September 25, 2023 Card Teaser National Drive Electric Week is Sept. 22 - Oct. 1. National Drive Electric Week is Sept. 22 - Oct. 1 The Colorado Energy Office announced an ambitious grant program in 2018 to develop several electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging corridors throughout the state, making travel possible even across its large rural and mountainous areas. Many of these corridors have started to come into shape over the past couple years, which is a large part of why the state has consistently been ranked among the best places to own an EV as a daily driver. Once completed, several of those corridors will traverse along interstate, state, and U.S. highways that intersect United Power’s suburban territory north and northeast of Denver. The cooperative proactively launched its own fast-charging network in conjunction with ChargePoint in 2019, and received a grant from the Colorado Energy Office to install its second location in Keenesburg in 2021. A third was also added at the Carbon Valley office last year. The network was designed to bridge gaps in available charging options and make rural EV ownership more practical and feasible. Members who are still unsure about EVs may be interested in learning more about new programs United Power has introduced in the past year, including United EV, a pilot program that provides cost-effective at-home charging solutions, and make-ready wiring rebates, providing up to $1,000 toward the cost of preparing your home for an EV charger. United EV enrollment provides a complete service package including installation and setup of a wall-mounted ChargePoint Home Flex level 2 charger and maintenance and repairs for the duration of the enrollment period. All this is available for a $19 monthly service fee. For more information about United EV, available wiring rebates, and charging network locations, visit the cooperative’s EV Home or reach out to the Energy Management team at 303-637-1233.01/10/2022 - 03:25 PM
President & CEO Speaks on Co-op’s Role in a DSO Energy Delivery Model Monday | January 10, 2022 Presentation Delivered at National Co-op CEO Conference Read more >03/11/2022 - 02:46 PM
Title Putting Down Roots in Carbon Valley /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/MarApr2022_NL_RoundUp.jpg?itok=AUydOb2M Friday | March 11, 2022 Card Teaser Round-Up grant helps St. Vrain Habitat for Humanity provide homes for two families in Carbon Valley. Round-Up Grant Helps Habitat for Humanity Provide Homes for Two Families St. Vrain Habitat for Humanity presented two Carbon Valley families with keys to their new homes alongside friends, family, volunteers, and community organizations at a ribbon cutting in January. Among the organizations present at the event was United Power’s Operation Round-Up Foundation. Habitat for Humanity provides newly constructed homes to families who are positioned for home ownership but are unable to qualify for traditional financing. The organization builds homes from the ground up and sells them at cost to selected families thanks to support from community volunteers. Round-Up awarded Habitat for Humanity a $5,000 grant to help with home construction costs. “Without the help of community partners like Round-Up, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do for these families,” said Rebecca Shannon, community engagement manager for St. Vrain Habitat for Humanity. Round-Up is funded entirely by members who voluntarily “round up” their monthly statements to the next whole dollar. The average contribution is approximately $.50 per month. Those funds are then redistributed to nonprofits in various parts of the service territory to ensure as many members receive help as possible. “We are proud to support community organizations meeting the needs of vulnerable members,” said Joan Kniss, a Round-Up board member. “Habitat for Humanity has a strong track record of lifting people up and lets us see our grant dollars in action.” Home ownership allows families to put down roots and begin contributing to their local community, Shannon said. Homes are not only built to meet all safety requirements, but are also energy efficient, which lowers the cost of ownership. Selected families are required to demonstrate commitment to their new home by returning volunteer hours helping with the construction of their future homes. Having a hand in building your own home develops a sense of pride in it. Habitat for Humanity broke ground on a new home in Carbon Valley on March 7. To volunteer, visit www.stvrainhabitat.org. More than 20% of United Power members voluntarily round up their bills. To enroll in Operation Round-Up, click here.04/29/2019 - 01:05 PM
Title Questions about Demand? /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Feb2019_NL_GotQuestions.png?itok=6ZkSglDA Friday | January 25, 2019 Card Teaser United Power’s new rate structure went into effect on January 1st, and members will begin to see the 2019 rates reflected as separate demand and energy charges on their February bills. While energy is the total power used, demand refers to the capacity needed to serve your location. The new rates break apart the costs for demand and energy to more fairly charge each member for their impact on the electric system and the energy they use. United Power’s new rate structure went into effect on January 1st, and members will begin to see the 2019 rates reflected as separate demand and energy charges on their February bills. While energy is the total power used, demand refers to the capacity needed to serve your location. The new rates break apart the costs for demand and energy to more fairly charge each member for their impact on the electric system and the energy they use. Why did you change to this rate structure? The way our members use power has changed, and we now have more detailed information about how each member uses that power. On the blended rate, some members were paying more than they should, while others were not paying enough. The demand component allows us to more fairly charge each member in a way that is more closely aligned with our costs to provide that service. How do I see when I hit my demand? Demand measures the highest 15-minute interval of power consumption over the billing period and your bill will show you the kilowatt (kW) demand measurement of that highest interval. If you’d like to investigate what contributed to your demand charge, the Power Portal will show you the day and time that your demand peaked. Pinpointing the day and time will give you the information to reflect on how you were using energy. Perhaps your demand was highest on a cold Saturday afternoon when you had soup on the stove, bread in the oven, the kids were downstairs gaming with a space heater on, and it was marathon laundry and cleaning day for the family. Operating all of these appliances at once required more system capacity for United Power to serve you, and your demand charge for the month is a fairer representation of how you used the electric system. How can I reduce my demand? Monitoring your use in the Power Portal will help you understand what is driving your demand. You’ll see the effect of using multiple appliances at once and what your energy profile looks like when you stagger appliances. If you’d like to keep your demand charges as low as possible, small changes in the way you use energy can make a difference. Here are some easy ways to reduce your demand:- Spread out the use of major appliances. Major electrical appliances that may contribute to high demand costs include air conditioners, electric clothes dryers, electric water heaters, electric ranges and ovens.
- Use small cooking appliances or an outdoor grill.
- Use a programmable or smart thermostat to pre-heat or pre-cool your home before you get home and operate kitchen appliances.
- Use a timer on your water heater, dishwasher and pool pump.
- Set a timer on your electric vehicle charger for the middle of the night after other major appliances are not in use.
01/23/2019 - 01:51 PM
Quick Thinking Walgreens Clerk Saves United Power Member from Scam Friday | October 12, 2018 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. Read more >11/03/2023 - 12:59 PM
Title Rate Increase Approved /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Jan2019_NL_Rates.png?h=45932144&itok=KW7a9GOa Friday | November 3, 2023 Card Teaser The rate increase adjusts for inflation and higher wholesale power costs. Impact to be Spread Across All Rate Classes United Power members will see a rate increase effective for usage beginning Jan. 1, 2024. United Power Board members and staff recently reviewed the cooperative’s costs and determined that rates need to be raised an average of 9.5% to help the cooperative maintain a healthy financial profile. “These decisions are always difficult, and the Board carefully scrutinized spending in all areas across the cooperative before reaching the conclusion that rates need to be increased,” stated Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO. “Your cooperative has worked hard to keep costs as low as possible for members during the last three years, especially when inflation began to impact the cost of nearly everything we need to maintain normal day-to-day operations. While we knew this effort was only a delay tactic, we really aimed to keep rates stable for members while costs for everything else in their households were rising.” Average Household to See $10-$15 Increase Monthly The average residential member will see increases in both the demand charge and in the energy charge, while the fixed charge will remain the same. The demand charge will increase from $1.50 to $2.50 per kW, while the energy charge will increase from 9.95 cents per kwh to 10.39 cents. The average household on the standard residential rate using about 850 kwh per month with a demand of 7 kW will see their bill rise from $114.08 to $124.82, an increase of $10.74. Residential time-of-use members will see a similar increase, with an increase in demand from $1.50 to $2.50 per kW. On-peak energy charges will rise from 15.4 cents to 16.07, and off-peak energy charges will increase from 5.25 cents per kwh to 5.5 cents. All other rates will see similar increases. See full menu of rate changes here. The cooperative’s rate model forecasts that most households will see a $10-$15 per month increase in their electric bill. However, the structure of United Power’s rates provides members the ability to keep costs lower by controlling demand. Reducing demand is as simple as not using electric appliances at the same time. Additionally, setting timers on dryers and dishwashers so they start after the family goes to sleep moves the demand of that appliance to a lower use period and actively reduces demand costs. Learn more about demand and how you can reduce the impact of this portion of your bill.. Why are rates rising now? It is important to understand that the cost of wholesale power makes up approximately 75% of a member’s bill. United Power’s current wholesale power supplier is planning a large rate increase in 2024, including a significant change in their rate structure. Once approved, the new rate structure will shift expenses from generation to transmission, which will have a considerable impact on United Power even after our exit. In other words, the cost to deliver power to our members will increase next year — regardless of who is generating and supplying that power. Fortunately, the cooperative will begin purchasing and managing its own wholesale power supply on May 1, 2024, giving us greater control over this portion of our power cost. United Power staff has kept a watchful eye on spending, particularly over the past three years, but our operation is challenged by rising costs just like most households and businesses. Unavoidable increases in property taxes and insurance premiums are impacting the cooperative. Add to this the rising cost of construction materials and critical components like transformers and wire, and it has been a challenge to balance our budgets. Even the costs for attracting and retaining talented employees continues to climb in both wages and benefits. How Can Your Cooperative Support You? United Power has numerous resources to help our members manage their energy usage. Weatherization information to make your home envelope tighter, energy audits to provide tips on energy efficiency measures, rebates to support purchasing energy efficient appliances, and information on lifestyle changes that can help reduce costs are all ways we put the power to control costs in our members’ hands. If you need help managing your electric costs, please feel free to contact us for assistance. Members may reach United Power by phone at 303-637-1300, via email, or by chat at www.unitedpower.com during normal business hours.05/30/2018 - 03:16 PM
Rebate Requirements Changing in 2018 on Heat Pump Air Conditioners Thursday | November 9, 2017 Beginning next year, members will see some changes to the rebate requirements on heat pump air conditioners as well as an increase in rebate amounts. Read more >12/04/2019 - 09:05 AM
Title Residential, Irrigation Rates to See Small Increase /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Dec2019_NL_Rates.jpg?itok=tr1osQAy Wednesday | December 4, 2019 Card Teaser The United Power board of directors proposed a modest increase in residential rates at their November 8th regulatory meeting. The United Power board of directors proposed a modest increase in residential rates at their November 8th regulatory meeting. The rate increase will vary from 1.5–2% for residential members. Members on the standard residential rate will see a 1.5% rate increase beginning with their January 1st usage, which amounts to an average increase of $1.58 per month. Members on the residential time-of-day rate and irrigation rate will see a 2% increase – an average monthly increase of $3.23 per month. An additional time-of-day rate was added in response to concerns raised by members utilizing the time-of-day rate. The additional time-of-day rate gives members who utilize specialized equipment and shift their consumption to off-peak periods another rate option. (See Rates Chart attachment below) “As we move forward with the rate changes, it’s important that we listen to our members, and our newest rate is a response to their concerns,” stated Dean Hubbock, Director of Power Supply and Rates. “The new rates should have a minimal impact on members, and we now have several rates that members can consider when determining the best rate for their lifestyle.” Last year, United Power instituted a new rate structure that allowed the cooperative to more fairly bill members for not only the power they use, but also for their impact on the electrical system delivering power. The new rate structure charges for energy and demand, breaking apart two costs that had been previously blended together. The new structure even allows members to have more control over the components of their bill that raise their costs. For example, in the residential rate, the demand charge increased by 50¢ per kW, while the energy charge drops from 10.15¢ per kWh to 9.95¢ per kWh. “We understand that everyone has a different way they use power in their home, and by expanding our rate offerings, members can select a rate that best fits their usage patterns,” stated Hubbock. In addition to the changes to the residential rates, the board proposed a couple additional changes. Irrigation rates will see a 2% monthly increase for 2020 – an increase of about $1.79 per month. Small and large commercial customers and large industrial primary customers will see an overall 2% monthly decrease in 2020. “The small reduction for commercial customers was warranted according to our most recent cost-of-service study,” stated Hubbock. “We will be conducting another full study in 2020, and that will help us continue to refine the rates we charge members in different rate classes.” The new rates will go into effect for usage beginning January 1, 2020, so members will not see the increase on their bills until their February billing. Members can learn more about how to control their demand and lower their overall electric costs by visiting the Understanding Demand page. There are many helpful resources and videos to help you understand how the two components of your power are billed and how to control these costs.01/23/2019 - 09:31 AM
Resources Offer Closer Look at Your Demand Monday | September 3, 2018 The Power Portal is United Power’s newest resource for members, and offers a detailed look at monthly energy consumption data and overall usage history. This free resource allows members to view monthly, daily and hourly energy use in 15 minute intervals. Read more >01/22/2019 - 09:56 AM
Responsible Generator Use Saves Lives Monday | April 2, 2018 The use of portable generators is commonplace during power outages, but you may not know they can potentially create one of the more dangerous situations for the linemen trying to restore power to you and your neighbors. Read more >05/30/2018 - 02:45 PM
Title Results of 2017 United Power Director Election /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/2017_04_27_UPDirectorElectionResults.jpg?itok=JRk6YR4u Thursday | April 27, 2017 Card Teaser Races for a seat in all four United Power director districts were decided by a vote of the members at the 2017 Annual Meeting on Apr. 18 at the Adams County Fairgrounds. Incumbents Retain Seats, New Mountain Director Elected New Officers Elected at Regular Monthly Board Meeting on April 21st Races for a seat in all four United Power director districts were decided by a vote of the members at the 2017 Annual Meeting on Apr. 18 at the Adams County Fairgrounds. Incumbent Directors James Vigesaa and Ginny Buczek retained their respective seats. Director David Rose won the race for his seat in the South District. Incoming director Tamra Waltemath won the seat in the Mountain district left vacant by the retirement of director Douglas Pryce. United Power’s Board of Directors met for their regular monthly board meeting the Friday following the annual election and selected new officers to serve the cooperative for 2017. James Vigesaa was elected President, Susan Petrocco was re-elected as Vice President, Beth Martin was re-elected Secretary-Treasurer and Ursula J. Morgan was elected to serve again as Assistant Secretary-Treasurer.07/13/2021 - 10:47 AM
Reunited & Ready Thursday | July 8, 2021 After more than a year of altered business practices during COVID-19, United Power has resumed normal activities. Read more >