NOTICE OF CHANGE IN THE RATES, RULES, AND REGULATIONS TARIFFS OF UNITED POWER, INC.

DATE OF NOTICE: October 27, 2023

You are hereby notified that UNITED POWER, INC. (United Power) proposes to make changes to several of its rate tariff schedules to become effective for energy usage on or after Jan. 1, 2024 (billings issued after Feb. 1, 2024*). An increase is necessary for all rate classes due to increased wholesale power supply costs and increased distribution expenses since the last increase effective Jan. 1, 2020. There will be a 9% increase to Industrial Service Substation or Transmission Service (ITD4) and a 9.1% increase to Industrial Service Substation or Transmission Service (ITD1). There will be a 9.2% increase to Industrial Service Substation or Transmission Service (ITD2) and 9.3% increase to Small Industrial Primary (SIP1). The Residential (R1) rate class, Large Commercial Coincidental Peak Secondary Demand (CPS1), and the Industrial Service Substation or Transmission Service (ITD3) will have a rate increase of 9.5%. There will be a 9.6% increase to Small Commercial (C1), Large Commercial Secondary Demand Service (ISD1), Large Commercial Coincidental Peak Primary Demand (CPP1), and a 9.8% increase to Residential On-Peak Demand Time-of-Use Service rate (RDP1). The Residential Time of Use (RTD1), Residential Smart Choice (RD1), Small Commercial Time of Use (CTD1), and Irrigation (IRR2) rates will have an increase of 9.9%. The non-metered light service (L2) will have an increase of 7.8%. The increase to rates R1, RTD1, RDP1, RD1, C1, CTD1, IRR2, ISD1, SIP1, IPD1, ITD1, ITD2, ITD3, and ITD4 will include a wholesale power cost adjustment (PCA) to the energy usage and an increase in the demand charge. The PCA for each rate will be listed on the PCA rate tariff (7.1), and the change in demand will be listed on each applicable rate tariff. Net Metering Service will reflect an increase in the rated capacity limit from 120% to 200% of annual energy usage, and the Electric Vehicle Charges under the pilot program will be updated to an established program. 
  
In addition to rate tariff changes, there are several modifications to update and reflect current business practices in the Rules and Regulations. These updates are to become effective on or after Jan. 1, 2024. Staff has reviewed the current Rules and Regulations tariffs. Business units across the organization were involved in the review. The following main areas have been identified needing revisions or updating: (1) incorporating Regulatory Policy, (2) incorporating Line Extension Policy, (3) updates to Service Connection and Line Extension Fee Schedule, (4) formatting and grammatical updates for ease of use, consistency, and clarity, and (5) updates for Current Business Practices to reflect technological changes, system changes, and efficiencies.

The present and proposed tariff provisions are available for examination at the Coal Creek Branch Office, located at 5 Gross Dam Road, Golden, Colorado; the headquarters office located at 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton, Colorado, and the Carbon Valley Branch office at 9586 E. I-25 Frontage Road, Longmont, Colorado.

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

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

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

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

UNITED POWER, INC.

By: Mark A. Gabriel, President and Chief Executive Officer

*BIlls received prior to Feb. 1 may include some January usage. If so, the bill will reflect the new rate for that usage.

United Power members can find more information about the proposed 2024 rate increase here. 

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. 

Colorado is no stranger to weather-related disasters and record-breaking storm systems. Strong storms may dump feet of snow, generate destructive wind speeds, or spark a devastating wildfire. Each September, the Federal Emergency Management Agency recognizes National Preparedness Month to educate and empower Americans to take simple steps to prepare for and respond to potential emergencies that could affect us where we live, work, and visit. This year’s theme, “Preparing for Older Adults,” touches how to plan ahead.

Make a Plan. Expecting the unexpected begins with having a plan in place. Coordinate with your family, loved ones, or caregivers to respond quickly in the event of a disaster or weather-related emergency. A plan should include the following:

• Create a support network of family, friends, and others, including caregivers, who can assist you during an emergency. Establish two-way communications, transportation, and living arrangements between you and your care community, especially if power is interrupted. Consider how any pets or service animals can continue receiving care, if necessary.
• Make sure at least one person in your support network has an extra key to your home, knows where you keep your emergency supplies, and knows how to use life-saving equipment or administer medicine. 
• If you undergo routine treatments at a clinic or hospital, find out their emergency plans and work with them to identify backup service providers. 
• If you rely on any devices for physical assistance, plan on how you will have those with you during an evacuation, if required. 

Build a Kit. Gather supplies for several days, considering your unique needs. Include items such as food and water; medications and medical supplies; any necessary medical documentation, such as Medicaid, Medicare, and other insurance cards; pet supplies; batteries and chargers; etc. You may also include items such as a first aid kit, flashlight, and/or radio. Remember to keep your kit updated. 

Electronic Benefits. If you depend on Social Security or other regular benefits, switching to electronic payments is a simple, important way to protect yourself financially. You can sign up for direct deposit by calling  800-333-1795 or visiting www.godirect.gov/gpw. 

For more information on National Preparedness Month, including sample emergency communications plans, organizations you can volunteer with during disasters, and more, visit www.ready.gov. 

It is hard to believe we are already entering the fall season. Summer flew by while your cooperative employees were hard at work on a number of fronts — improving service, working toward an energy future outlined in Our Cooperative Roadmap, and managing the tremendous growth in our communities.

We spent much of the summer finalizing our power supply portfolio — one that will provide members with a mix of traditional and low-carbon power and storage solutions. The break from our current power supplier will allow significant freedom and flexibility, representing the rapidly changing energy industry, in a reasonable time frame, as opposed to waiting until the end of the decade.  

We are blessed to have a strong mix of residential, commercial, and industrial members in our small 900-square mile service territory, as well as consistent and significant growth. Our system’s diversity means we are a highly desirable partner for companies wishing to locate here and work with United Power to deploy new and innovative technologies.

The future is not just about adding more generation — although necessary to meet growing demand — but also operating our system differently (and more efficiently) than the past. For example, five years after launching what was Colorado’s largest battery storage facility at the time, we have entered an agreement to deploy nearly 80 additional megawatts of battery storage across our footprint, one of the nation’s first dispersed storage projects. This will allow us to charge the batteries when energy costs are low and reduce the demand on our system during peak hours. 

The rise in electric vehicle sales has led to a curious conversation that today’s grid cannot handle the load without massive investments in infrastructure or significant control options. We have among the highest penetrations of EVs and plug-in hybrids in the nation. Here at United Power, we constantly monitor our transformers and energy consumption, proactively managing and improving our system in advance of challenges. Each year, we strategically plan our maintenance to target the worst performing feeders — those lines supporting our members in their neighborhoods — and carefully focus our investments. Your Board of Directors not only supports these activities but works closely with management to ensure we are making the right investments to keep this most critical infrastructure strong. 

This is not to say there will never be outages. Sadly, critters, crashes, storms, and lightning wreak havoc on electric grids, no matter how well built. United Power crews work diligently through some of the most terrible conditions to restore power quickly — and safely. The addition of our Carbon Valley Service Center in 2019 has also allowed us to cut down outage response times in our western territory.

We continue to lead the nation in residential solar installations and support members who want to add solar, as well as storage. Last year, the Colorado Solar and Storage Association recognized United Power as a Solar & Storage Champion for its member interconnection process and rooftop solar saturation. 

We do caution members to be selective in choosing their solar contractor. Several door-to-door salespeople have been reported using unscrupulous tactics, including lies and fabrications, to sell their services. Be leery of any representative mentioning United Power. Our team is available to provide unbiased information and all the tools you need to make the right decision when it comes to solar. Simply call us at 303-637-1300 or visit Going Solar.

As a United Power member-owner, you have a special relationship with the cooperative. Please feel free to reach out to me personally with any questions or comments. I appreciate the honor to serve you.

Enjoy our beautiful fall weather.