United Power Supports Community Events, Empowers Local Education, & Drives Economic Development 

United Power members expect their electric utility to provide consistently reliable power when they need it, for as long as they need it; but as a cooperative, United Power is more than your average utility company. Electric distribution cooperatives exist to serve their members and are only as strong as the communities they serve, which is why we have pledged a commitment to actively engage with our members and promote the growth and development of our communities. 

Our public presence in the community is evident at fairs and festivals throughout the service area. United Power is a proud partner and supporter of community events that offer family fun and celebrate each city or town’s unique and rich history. As the presenting sponsor of the Adams County Fair in August, the cooperative helped bring one of the largest county fairs in the country to thousands of local residents and visitors. The cooperative also sponsors community heritage celebrations like Trapper Days in Fort Lupton and Miners Day in Frederick. 

While summer events bring out large crowds, United Power is also active during the holiday season. You’ll find our community affairs reps passing out candy at local trunk or treat events or see our trucks rolling in festive parades adorned in lights and decorations. We also sponsor Thanksgiving food drives like Food for Hope’s annual Feed 5000 campaign.  The cooperative’s sponsorship of the Coal Creek Canyon Improvement Association (CCCIA) allows it to plan several holiday events for its residents, such as family favorites like the Easter Eggstravaganza and Fourth of July Festival. 

“If it weren’t for the considerable support the CCCIA receives from United Power, we wouldn’t be able to put on these events for our residents,” said CCCIA Hall Manager Suzy Schemel. “We are able to bring family-friendly events to the families who live up here free of charge thanks to their generous contribution and continued support for Coal Creek. I imagine the sentiment is shared by many of the other communities United Power serves.”

The growth and development of local communities hinges on the abilities of their leaders – both current and future. United Power recognizes future mayors, city councilors, and other community leaders among the students in our high schools. Each year, we select local high school students to represent the cooperative on trips to Steamboat Springs and Washington, D.C. for youth leadership training and education on the cooperative principles. We also award nearly two dozen scholarships to graduating seniors pursuing a post-secondary education or vocational degree. (More information on United Power scholarships and youth trips can be found here.)

As much as our community leaders spur growth, it also requires creating an environment that supports healthy and thriving businesses. United Power has a seat at the table of local chambers of commerce because of their work behind the scenes helping communities drive economic development. Economic development directors from our communities can contact our readily available and easily accessible community affairs reps with inquiries about new business development and business retention strategies. The cooperative’s close relationship with each community alleviates concerns for potential business owners as they determine future business locations. 

“United Power operates with a level of certainty about its infrastructure’s ability to handle new or expanding load,” said Max Daffron, economic development manager for the Town of Frederick. “That certainty is important for business owners.” 

United Power reps can help communities and businesses determine where sufficient infrastructure is available, how additional capacity can be built, or if redundant power is necessary. They can even recommend ideal business locations based on their energy needs and prospective development in the area. United Power has also partnered with communities to help develop comprehensive strategies and plan for future growth. 

“As a small business owner, I see real value in United Power’s commitment to community support and development,” said Cody LeBlanc, owner of Cinn-A-Brew in Brighton and The KM Cup in Fort Lupton. “Their support showcases our businesses and demonstrates the area is a great place live.”

United Power’s commitment extends to all areas that support community health and well-being, including its state parks and nonprofits that serve the local community. The cooperative assisted Barr Lake State Park in placing its popular osprey platform in 2014; and earlier this year, helped raise its eagles nest on the southern end of the park. When the cooperative hit 100,000 meters in 2021, United Power made contributions to each state park in its service territory – Barr Lake, St. Vrain, and Golden Gate – in recognition of their importance to the community.

Now more than 100,000 meters strong, United Power impacts more people than ever before. We recognize how beneficial the support we provide for our communities has been and how crucial it is for continued growth and development. As a cooperative, we strive to see each of our communities, and the members who call them home, reach their full potential. As we grow and evolve into the electric utility of the future, our members will continue to remain our focus. 

Troy Whitmore, Vice President & Public Affairs Officer, United Power, received a 2022 RMEL Industry Leadership Award during RMEL’s 119th Annual Fall Convention on Wednesday, October 12th.

The Industry Leadership Award recognizes individuals whose leadership has made contributions that have made an impact within their organization. Recipients usually have more than 10 years of experience in the industry. These individuals are often active in various industry affiliations, associations and/or organizations that serve the electric energy industry.

Troy Whitmore is the Vice President & Public Affairs Officer at United Power, headquartered in Brighton, Colorado. Troy’s long tenure at United Power and in the electric industry has allowed him to be a real force in helping to guide not only cooperative, but legislative initiatives that affect our industry. An active voice at the state capitol, Troy has worked with legislators on issues ranging from election transparency for cooperatives, to helping to incorporate renewable energy guidelines for utilities. He is an engaged and active voice for the members of United Power, and for other electric consumers around Colorado.

During his 36 years at United Power, Troy has served in numerous functions including communications, marketing, customer service and governmental affairs. In his current position as Vice President & Public Affairs Officer, Troy oversees governmental affairs, community relations, key accounts, and economic development functions. His work has always balanced where the industry can move realistically, with the needs and wants of United Power’s members. Much of his work has allowed United Power to become an innovation leader among cooperatives. Troy remains extremely active in his community and serves as the Chair of the board of Colorado Advocates for Rural Electrification (CARE) which is Colorado’s electric cooperatives’ political action committee, and a Board member of Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC) which is Colorado’s premier energy assistance foundation.

RMEL also conferred the Distinguished Leadership Award to Mike Hummel, General Manager & Chief Executive Officer, SRP. RMEL’s Honorary Life Member Award recipients are Paul Barham, retired, CPS Energy; Joel Bladow, retired, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association; Kevin Howard, retired, Western Area Power Administration; Pat Pope, retired, Nebraska Public Power District; and Stuart Wevik, retired, Black Hills Energy. Also receiving the Industry Leadership Award are Tony Eddleman, Director of NERC Reliability Compliance, Nebraska Public Power District; Mike Jones, Senior Director of Strategic Risk Management, SRP; Keith Nix, Vice President of Operations, Texas-New Mexico Power; and Jim Trask, Department Manager – Energy Group, Burns & McDonnell.

Congratulations to all 2022 RMEL Award Winners and thank you for your dedication to the electric energy industry.

The 2023 Awards Program will kick off with the Emerging Leader Awards Nominations early next year. More information on the 2023 RMEL Awards Program will be available at www.RMEL.org soon.

About RMEL:
RMEL is a not-for-profit energy trade association that has served the electric utility industry with a variety of education and networking services since 1903. RMEL’s mission is: Preparing the electric energy industry for the future through education and networking. Once known as the Rocky Mountain Electrical League, the association officially became RMEL in the 1990s to better reflect a membership base that spans the entire country.

Dynamic Calculators Included in Recent FERC Exceptions Filing

Brighton, CO - United Power has filed two exit fee calculators in conjunction with its response to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) initial decision by Administrative Law Judge Renee Terry. These calculators may be used to assist FERC and others as they evaluate the impact of (1) United Power’s proposed balance sheet approach (BSA) incorporating the most recent available data and (2) certain modifications to the BSA proposed by FERC trial staff and adopted by the initial decision. 

The tools allow all 42 utility members to assess their exit fees from Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association (Tri-State) under (1) United Power’s as-filed BSA (“Appendix A”) and (2) the BSA implementing certain adjustments adopted in the initial decision (“Appendix B”). Working copies of the calculator tools, definitions, and descriptions can be found at www.unitedpower.com/powersupply.

The Appendix B fees are modeled based on FERC staff’s exemplary calculations previewed during the hearing process that were adopted in the initial decision, as well as publicly available data, such as Tri-State’s annual financial reports. Each of the 42 utility members can enter a desired departure date and select variables implementing the exit options available under the initial decision. The Appendix B model also calculates alternatives proposed by United Power in its concurrently filed exceptions brief (e.g., a principled 10-year revenue averaging option and transmission revenue adjustment that United Power describes in the brief). These alternatives improve upon the calculations reflecting the initial decision’s overarching principle that the exit fees should be based on the net costs Tri-State incurred to serve the exiting member.     

“We appreciate the hard work by FERC staff in proposing solutions for departure from our power supplier that are in most respects aligned with what United Power has consistently advocated as a fair outcome,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “By following United Power’s balance sheet approach, everyone can calculate their actual cost to depart. This is critical for future planning for our current power supplier and its utility members. Though the initial decision modifications present implementation questions and other obstacles that we challenge in our exceptions brief, we believe the decision’s principles chart a course toward members’ fair transition to competitive supply and open access.”

United Power has formally indicated its departure from Tri-State, effective May 1, 2024. Learn more about United Power’s departure plan at www.unitedpower.com/powersupply.

About United Power

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 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 them on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

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It has been an eventful and exciting late summer and early fall. United Power was able to mitigate the financial impact of record peaks with the help of demand response and load control tools, such as our Smart Rewards thermostat program and our managed electric vehicle charging program, United EV.

At a time of the year when weather can create challenging situations for electric grids, our system held up well. The investments we made in our distribution network on our members’ behalf, combined with our active wildfire mitigation programs, resulted in few operating issues. We run one of the best networks in Colorado – and probably the country – thanks to the great staff and alignment with Our Cooperative Roadmap (Roadmap), which emphasizes a continual optimization of our distribution system.

Another key pillar in our Roadmap is providing flexible, affordable, and sustainable power. United Power is one step closer to obtaining lower cost, cleaner power for our members thanks to a recent ruling from an administrative law judge at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding the cooperative’s exit fee from our current wholesale power supply contract. While this is just part of the process, it is a major step in the right direction.

Our decision to depart from our current supplier is based in economics. United Power members pay over market price for their power and transmission while living with a choke collar that caps our ability to generate local power at 5%. We are penalized for being more efficient and deploying innovative energy solutions, like battery storage. We are even prevented from adding resources within our footprint, meaning our communities do not receive the financial benefit of companies wanting to invest in renewables close to home.

It is important to remember the decision to seek FERC oversight was our power supplier’s alone. United Power did not support the decision for a number of critical reasons, chief among them the loss of local control to set rates, combine cooperative needs, and jointly manage costs. 

In contrast, one of the greatest strengths we have as a cooperative is local control through your elected Board of Directors. This ties to another critical pillar in our Roadmap – empowering and engaging our members and communities. Your Board members come from your towns and understand the values and concerns of each community’s residents. They provide direct oversight of the cooperative and hold the power to establish rates, but they ultimately answer to members as representatives of their communities.

I have recently been honored to present on the topic of changes within the electric industry at local chambers of commerce and regional energy conferences. I would be pleased to address any similar organizations about the future of the industry and anticipated changes to it. If you are involved in a local organization wishing to hear about our initiatives, just send an email and someone will reach out to set up a presentation.

Finally, October was Cybersecurity Awareness Month. United Power remains vigilant to threats our system faces as we strive to achieve and maintain business agility and resiliency through information and operational technology, which is our fourth and final Roadmap pillar.  We cannot let our guard down, given there are those who wish to do harm to the electric grid. 

As always, please feel free to reach out to me with your questions and concerns. It is an honor and privilege to serve you and the great staff at United Power.

Brighton, CO - After years of legal battles, United Power is one step closer on its path forward to buy out of its existing wholesale power contract with Tri-State Generation and Transmission (Tri-State). The methodology, defined by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Renee Terry, provides a way for all generation and transmission members to determine their cost to exit and will give United Power flexibility to move forward with its plan to leave the power supplier. The ALJ’s initial decision orders an exit fee based upon United Power’s proposed framework, and wholesale rejects Tri-State’s proposed $1.6 billion fee for United Power as excessive and unsupported. While the ALJ directed limited modifications to United Power’s proposal, the decision reaffirms United Power’s longstanding position that it should be able to leave by paying a reasonable exit fee. United Power is currently evaluating the exit options presented in the Judge’s initial decision, which is subject to further briefing and Commission review before it becomes effective.    

“I must first acknowledge the FERC Administrative Law Judge for her thorough and thoughtful assessment of the voluminous amount of material as well as the various statements and arguments she reviewed to reach her decision,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “We are pleased to finally have a course for the future in our quest to lower our power costs for our members and have more control over how the power we purchase is generated.”

United Power has been battling its power generation supplier since 2019 when the cooperative asked the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to intervene in the dispute and help determine a fair and equitable buyout cost. As the case wound through the PUC process, Tri-State admitted additional non-utility members, triggering the generation cooperative to fall under FERC jurisdiction. While the PUC affirmed United Power’s buyout methodology, they deferred to FERC to determine the final opinion. 

“When we first began negotiating with our power supplier for an exit cost, they had already released two other members from their contracts, using methodologies that were far different than what they had proposed for United Power,” said Gabriel. “We have been willing to pay a reasonable exit fee, but our power producer never offered a methodology that we considered to be fair or equitable.”

The power market is in a unique period of growth and change, and United Power wants to take advantage of the opportunity to diversify its generation mix where possible. A leader in renewable energy, the cooperative added Colorado’s first community solar farm in 2009 and has since added solar and methane gas generation as well as batteries to provide more than 84 megawatts of electricity to the local electric grid. The current wholesale power contract limits the cooperative to purchasing only 5% of their power through sources of this type.

“Exercising control over the cost and make up of our power generation is the future of the electric industry,” said Gabriel. “We know we can lower costs for our members and take advantage of many of the new opportunities that exist to purchase locally produced renewable resources. The electric cooperative of the future can no longer be restrained by old paradigms that only produce power from centrally located sources far from where it is consumed.”

Earlier this month, the DC Circuit ruled that FERC had final jurisdiction over setting the methodology that would be used to arrive at the final exit cost for the Brighton, Colorado based electric cooperative.

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, dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.

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Historic Hotline School Faces Relocation Due to Commercial Development

Brighton, CO – United Power’s Board of Directors approved a $20,000 contribution to the Mesa Hotline School’s relocation fund at its regular meeting in August. Mesa Hotline School provides training and education to lineworkers at cooperatives, municipal electric utilities, and even investor-owned utilities like Xcel Energy. The school learned it must find a new site for its campus due to commercial development at its existing location. The cooperative’s contribution will help the school meet approximately 20% of its relocation costs. 

The Mesa Hotline School was formed in the 1960s at Mesa College following an inquiry from two cooperatives located on Colorado’s Western Slope, Empire Electric and Yampa Valley. Fast-growing local cooperatives needed a state-of-the-art facility that could provide the right kind of training and education for their lineworkers. The school enrolled its first class of 59 students in 1966. In the half century since, membership has grown from 15 members to nearly 80, representing electric utilities of all sizes throughout the country. In 2022, more than 100 instructors and volunteers helped provide training to approximately 600 lineworkers enrolled in the school’s various programs. 

“The Mesa Hotline School has had a mutually beneficial relationship with United Power for many years,” said Brent Sydow, United Power’s Vice President of Operations. “Working foremen from United Power have invested hundreds of hours at the school teaching courses to both young and experienced lineworkers, and our lineworkers and apprentices have received the highest level of training through the school’s programs and course selections.”

Courses include underground and overhead equipment training, high tension stringing, and simulated high voltage training. Industry vendors also conduct training classes to showcase the latest tools and technology. Additionally, United Power utilizes the school’s educational materials to help progress its apprentice lineworkers toward qualification for the journeyman certification. 

When the school received its notice about finding a new location, it began soliciting members for assistance. The relocation costs include site development, facility materials, training equipment, and more. The Mesa Hotline School launched a fundraising campaign this summer with the goal of raising $100,000 in preparation for its next class in May 2023. For more information about the hotline school, go to www.mesahotlineschool.com. 

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.

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National Drive Electric Week is Sept. 23 – Oct. 2, 2022

United Power is embracing strategies that make access and ownership of electric vehicles (EVs) easier for its members. The cooperative is tackling practical hesitations head-on with the expansion of its charging network and now United EV, a new pilot program that provides access to affordable at-home charging options and wiring rebate opportunities. The cooperative invites members to join in recognizing National Drive Electric Week, a nationwide celebration highlighting the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. 

United EV provides cost-effective, at-home charging solutions for members with EVs and lowers the up-front ownership and installation costs of wall-mounted, at-home EV chargers. The reduced cost of charging will also help the cooperative effectively manage electric demand on its system. The program is initially limited to 50 qualifying residential members. 

Members enrolled in the program receive a complete service package that includes installation and set-up of a wall-mounted ChargePoint Home Flex level 2 charger, maintenance and repairs for the duration of the enrollment period, rebates for make-ready wiring, and several rate and charging options to take advantage of the lowest available energy costs. A $19 service fee will be conveniently applied to participant electric billing statements each month. 

To further address the cost of updating home electrical wiring, program participants qualify for rebates toward the cost of wiring and outlet installation in their homes. United Power’s make-ready wiring rebate covers 50% of the installation cost up to $1,000 for program participants. United Power members not enrolled in United EV are eligible to receive a rebate up to $500.

For more information on United EV or the cooperative’s other electric vehicle initiatives, including available rebates and the charging network, go to our Electric Vehicles page or reach out to the Energy Programs team at 303-637-1233.
 

Analyzing System Data to Improve Performance & Reliability, Mitigate Risk

As an electric distribution cooperative, delivering high reliability power safely and efficiently to members is United Power’s first priority. You expect your power to be available when you need it and as long as you need it. United Power recognizes its members’ expectations and earlier this year released Our Cooperative Roadmap with strategic areas the cooperative is focusing on for both its future and the benefits of members. One of the key focuses in the Roadmap is system optimization. The cooperative is engaging in several proactive practices to increase system performance, while also bringing innovative technology solutions on board to assist in demand monitoring, outage resolution, and fire mitigation. 

A few years ago, United Power’s operations team shifted its maintenance strategy to focus on areas of the system that were falling short of performance goals. Utilizing a sophisticated network of grid tracking technology, the cooperative is able to identify specific areas that need improvement and plan targeted maintenance projects. Since the new strategy launched, the cooperative’s outage times have been reduced by nearly half. 

The cooperative’s outage restoration and response is also aided by the rapid adoption of innovative smart devices deployed throughout the distribution system. These automated field devices not only aid in the dissemination of tracking data that informs United Power’s maintenance strategy, but also allow the cooperative to restore power remotely in the event of an outage without having to dispatch crews. They fall into a varying spectrum from simple to complex, but work in conjunction to identify, isolate, and, when possible, resolve faults. 

Design and construction teams are regularly reviewing emerging solutions to improve reliability and provide better tracking information. While the most prominent and immediately recognizable elements of the system are poles and power lines, United Power also manages nearly 18,000 streetlights across its service area. More than 3,000 now include LED smart node technology that communicates lighting issues directly to the cooperative. The technology is both energy efficient and cost effective because it provides information crews can use to ensure proper equipment and materials are collected before being dispatched. Smart nodes are now the default for new streetlight installations, and the cooperative works with each community to convert older technology to the new alternative.

A system that functions reliably must also function safely. United Power serves two mountain canyons at a time in Colorado when wildfire risk has spiked. The cooperative published its fire mitigation plan a few years ago and updates it annually to include new elements that are proven to reduce risk and improve safety. Previous updates have included the installation of new technology and updated construction standards; and this year included the addition of new protocols during Red Flag Warnings. These new procotols govern the system’s response when infererence to electric flow is detected and when fire danger is at its highest. While power can be restored once interference is cleared in most cases, United Power requires crews to investigate causes when Red Flag Warnings are issued. Although an outage is never convenient, preventing a wildfire is critical to member and community safety. 

United Power is proud to manage a comprehensive maintenance plan that has produced one of the most reliable systems in the country. As cooperative members, you can rest assured co-op leadership is actively pursing the best resources for a reliable and safe system, and doing so in the most cost-effective manner to control member rates.