Our appliances make life easier and help tackle the manual tasks of housework, but there’s a cost to this convenience. Many newer models are designed to be energy efficient, but why not take measures that will help you save even more energy and money?

1. Run a full load. Wash clothes and dishes with a full load only; partial loads waste energy and water. Load your dishwasher according to the manufacturer's instructions. Fill the racks completely to maximize water and energy use but allow for adequate water circulation to ensure clean dishes.
2. Stay cool and fresh. Set refrigerator and freezer thermostats at the recommended temperature settings: 37°F to 40°F for the refrigerator, and 5°F for the freezer. It will help optimize energy savings while keeping foods fresh.
3. Stock the fridge. A fully stocked unit uses less energy because there is less air to cool. Avoid overfilling; too many items packed together closely will reduce air circulation.
4. Keep your dryer dry. Clean the lint filter after each dryer load; this will increase air circulation and improve dryer efficiency. Inspect your dryer vent periodically to ensure that it's not blocked.
5. Air your clean laundry. When doing laundry, why not air-dry your clothes? It will reduce energy costs, and it may help to keep clothes looking new.
6. Get cooking efficiently. Use your microwave or toaster oven rather than the stovetop or oven. These smaller appliances often heat food more quickly, while using less energy. If you do use the stovetop, match the pan size to the burner size, and cover pots and pans.

Boost your Savings with an Energy Smart Rebate

Looking to upgrade to more efficient appliances? Replace older appliances with new ENERGY STAR®-certified efficient models. These products are the best of the best, delivering cutting-edge energy efficiency along with the latest in technological innovation.

United Power members can boost their savings with rebates on a variety of ENERGY STAR® and select efficient electric appliances. View the complete menu of Energy Smart Rebates to reduce the cost your new appliance purchase.

Groundbreaking Pilot to Leverage Energy from Oil and Gas Wells to Generate Dispatchable Power

Denver and Brighton, Colo. – Transitional Energy, a geothermal development company, joined Brighton-based United Power to announce that they have signed a Letter of Intent to develop a dispatchable energy pilot program. The program will focus on geothermal resources from oil and gas operations located in the electric cooperative’s service territory.

United Power provides electric service to multiple oil and gas operations in Colorado’s DJ Oil Basin. Transitional Energy’s program will use geothermal energy to generate dispatchable baseload electric power. The program may be used with both operational and abandoned wells to capture and convert what would otherwise be waste geothermal energy to electricity.

Many oil and gas operators use traditional electric service to power drilling rigs and other well pad equipment. Through this partnership, United Power and Transitional Energy will be able to provide a unique solution that can convert oil and gas operations using traditional electric service to facilities powered by up to 100% geothermal resources. Owner-operators of wells in the United Power service territory would work directly with Transitional Energy to utilize the technology to offset their energy purchases while reducing their greenhouse gas footprint.

Transitional Energy was founded in Colorado and is partially funded by a grant from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Taking advantage of the team’s oil and gas expertise as well as emerging advancements in Organic Rankine Cycle technology for heat recovery, Transitional Energy will tap into the geothermal potential of thousands of wellbores within the DJ Basin. Reuse of existing wells and infrastructure is a capital-efficient way to use the heat beneath our feet. This pilot program compliments the many innovative energy investments United Power has made in renewable energy projects in its territory.

“United Power is excited to work on this innovative pilot project,” stated Dean Hubbuck, United Power’s Chief Energy Resources Officer. “Utilizing clean, economical geothermal energy to provide local power that can be dispatched when needed is a critical component of our growing energy portfolio. Geothermal energy represents a huge untapped renewable resource that can reduce our reliance on power from other traditional sources.”

About Transitional Energy

Transitional Energy is a geothermal development company based in Denver. The company is majority women owned and Native led. With deep expertise in subsurface engineering, facilities engineering and geology, Transitional Energy is passionate about a clean energy future and utilizing existing oil and gas wells and infrastructure to generate geothermal energy. Learn more at www.transitionalenergy.us.

About the 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 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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Marshall Fire Reveals Urban Fire Threat; March 6 Seminar to Cover Fire Safety & Preparedness

Historic wildfires have devastated large parts of Colorado and its neighboring states over the past few years. However, the Marshall Fire in late December opened our eyes to the reality that wildfires are not simply a threat for our mountain communities. Given the right conditions, wildfires can spring up anywhere and quickly become uncontrollable.

The Marshall Fire erupted in eastern Boulder County before claiming nearly 1,000 homes and businesses in Boulder, Superior and Louisville, just miles from Denver and even closer to United Power members living in Coal Creek Canyon and Carbon Valley.

United Power has made significant investments in system improvements and upgrades to mitigate the potential for fires off its power lines, particularly in its own mountain communities. With multiple strong wind storms in December, including the storm that fueled the Marshall Fire, those system improvements have more than shown their value to members in both reliability and safety. The cooperative has also provided additional resources members can use to help mitigate the threat of wildfires on their own property, such as how to create “defensible space,” referring to the strategic removal of vegetation that could create a bridge for fire to pass over.

In March, the Firestone Free Thinkers 4-H Club, in partnership with United Power, is hosting a free one-hour fire safety and disaster preparedness training, presented by the Frederick-Firestone Fire Protection District and the Carbon Valley Emergency Management Agency. The training will discuss how to pack a “go kit” in case of an emergency, how to create defensible space, the difference between evacuations and shelter-in-place and hazards in Carbon Valley.

Fire Safety & Disaster Preparedness Training

FREE 1-HOUR EVENT. NO RSVP REQUIRED. 

Where:
United Power Carbon Valley Service Center
9586 E I-25 Frontage Rd, Longmont

When:
March 6, 2022 @ 3:00 p.m.

Contact:
CV Emergency Management, 720-526-6594
www.fffd.us/227/emergency-management

Disclaimer Date: 4/25/2022
In compliance with a recent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ruling, United Power will file an unconditional, binding notice to leave our power supplier in the next few months. This will change our previously announced exit date of Jan. 1, 2024. In the same ruling, FERC reaffirmed that a two-year notice period was appropriate. Once determined, the final exit date will be communicated to our members.

100,000 Meter Milestone, Wholesale Power Announcement Highlight 2021

Year after year, United Power works toward an unmatched excellence in the level of service it provides for its members, the support it demonstrates in its communities and its exceedingly high standard for delivering continuously reliable power. Endless unpredictability over the past two years, caused by the ongoing pandemic and unproductive negotiations with its wholesale power supplier, has not inhibited the cooperative from pursuing these goals. Instead, its leadership has elevated its expectations, building on all United Power has accomplished over the past year.

Crossing A Meter Milestone

United Power experienced record levels of growth throughout its service territory in 2021, resulting in it surging past a significant meter milestone this past summer. The cooperative energized its 100,000th meter connection in Commerce City’s fast-growing Reunion community in June, becoming just the second Colorado cooperative – and 31st nationwide – to surpass the meter milestone and highlighting a period of sustained growth for the cooperative that failed to slow even during the pandemic. It joins CORE Electric Cooperative, formerly Intermountain REA, as the only other cooperative serving more than 100,000 meters in Colorado.

Leadership Shift at the Top

The cooperative welcomed Mark A. Gabriel as its new President and Chief Executive Officer in March after a months-long nationwide search. A 25-year veteran in the electric utility business, Gabriel transitioned immediately to lead ongoing contract negotiations with Tri-State and to help position United Power for future success as a cooperative and industry leader in the changing energy landscape. Prior to joining United Power, Gabriel served eight years as CEO of the Western Area Power Administration.

“I am extremely honored to have been selected to lead such an amazing organization as we approach a transformational time in the electricity business,” Gabriel said. “United Power is uniquely positioned to be engaged in the decarbonization of the grid and to take advantage of the introduction of new technologies as we move to a cleaner energy future.”

Reunited & Ready

United Power was able to resume normal activities this past summer after more than a year of altering its practices for the health and safety of members and employees. The Brighton office location was opened to members again in June. While office locations were closed, the cooperative also installed several payment kiosks around its service territory to allow members to continue accessing convenient payment centers.

A gradual return to normal activities also meant the return of community functions and events. From summer fairs and festivals to holiday parades, United Power was a pivotal partner in helping make many of them possible. The cooperative is a proud sponsor of community events throughout its service territory.

Supporting Members & Causes They Care About

Cooperative leadership approved a support fund to provide relief to members struggling with the pandemic in 2020 called the Co-op Cares Fund. As pandemic concerns continued for many United Power members, the Board allocated another $250,000 to the fund for 2021. Throughout the year, approximately $212,000 in assistance was applied to 1,300 member accounts through Co-op Cares.

United Power also renewed its Member Choice Grant program in 2021. These grants allowed members to nominate local nonprofits to receive funds from the cooperative, ensuring our continued support for causes you care about. Six $1,000 grants were distributed to nonprofit organizations that received nominations from members throughout the year.

No Rate Increase for 2022

Rates are the single greatest concern for United Power members. Proactive efforts to reduce spending and control costs as a direct result of the pandemic allowed the cooperative to avoid a rate increase for members in 2021. Continued cost-control measures, coupled with significant meter and load growth throughout the service territory this past year, allowed United Power to announce in December there would be no residential or business rate increases for the second consecutive year in 2022. The lack of a rate increase should provide a little relief to members who continue to feel the effects of the ongoing pandemic.

Intent to Leave Wholesale Power Supplier

United Power’s ongoing negotiations with its wholesale power supplier reached a defining point at the end of 2021. After more than three years of unsuccessful attempts to modify its all-requirements contract, the cooperative officially filed its intent to leave, effective January 1, 2024. As a member of the wholesale power supplier, United Power was saddled with some of the highest cost, carbon-intensive power in Colorado. The cooperative pursued contract alterations that would allow it to lower costs and expand member options, which its wholesale supplier was unresponsive to. Exiting the contract will allow United Power to deploy more renewable resources on its grid or source more renewable options from new suppliers and provide more competitive rates for its members.