Brighton, CO – In August, United Power welcomed Meghan Dewey to fill its newly created role of Member Engagement Officer. At United Power, Dewey will be responsible for developing and implementing a cohesive engagement strategy highlighting the cooperative’s commitment to its communities and its members. She will direct member services, new business, energy management and marketing and communications to develop programs to meet members’ diverse and changing needs.

“I am delighted to join United Power as its first Member Engagement Officer,” Dewey said. “United Power’s commitment to its members and community, and its strong track record of performance and innovation, provides a real foundation for our future. I’m looking forward to working together with our members, our board, community leaders, and the United Power executive team to continue to provide value to our members and help lead us forward into a better energy future – the cooperative way.”

Dewey comes to United Power with a track record of enhancing customer experience and implementing successful customer-minded energy efficiency programs after spending seven years in various leadership roles at one of California’s largest utilities, Pacific Gas & Electric. While with PG&E, she spearheaded one of the country’s largest and most impactful energy efficiency programs and technology portfolios with more than 100 customer programs. She was most recently involved in the company’s wildfire safety program, designing new programs, products and services to advance customers’ resiliency and meet their energy needs during proactive power shutoffs.

In addition to her experience leading program development and new product design, Dewey also oversaw the company’s legislative strategy for energy efficiency and demand-side management. She successfully advocated for landmark legislation giving investor-owned utilities the ability to develop new program models that would help meet the state’s aggressive carbon neutral goals. She served as co-chair of a statewide stakeholder engagement coalition representing California investor-owned utilities as the state moved to a new energy efficiency administration and program design model.

Committed to extending her leadership influence beyond the office, Dewey has also been active in representing the industry on various boards and committees and mentoring men and women pursuing careers in the energy and utility industry.

“United Power has a bold vision for its future, and we’re excited to add Meghan’s perspective as we develop our long-term strategy,” said John Parker, United Power Chief Executive Officer. “She brings a wealth of experience with her from her time at PG&E and will be a valuable addition as we continue to look for better ways to serve our members.”

United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving more than 90,000 homes and businesses along Colorado’s northern front range. To learn more about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative at Facebook.com/UnitedPower.

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Your air conditioner is probably one of the most demand intensive appliances in your home. This means members will begin to see their demand charge rise to include this additional appliance as the summer heat arrives. There is good news if you like keeping your home cool, though. When United Power instituted the demand charge, there was a corresponding REDUCTION in the cost of energy. Since you use a lot of energy to keep your home cool, you will probably see very little change from prior summers in your average bill. 

When United Power moved to a demand rate we uncoupled costs that had previously been blended into the rate. This new structure gives you more control over your electric costs, by allowing you to avoid stacking appliance use. It also reduced the cost you pay for the actual energy you use.  

The change is helping to make sure you pay a more accurate portion of your costs for the distribution system that brings power to your home. 

Demand is the total of all electric appliances that are running at one time. United Power bases their demand charge on your highest demand in a 15-minute period throughout the month. In the summer this is going to happen when you run your air conditioner, and perhaps an additional appliance like your washer or oven.  For example, a 24,000 BTU air conditioner creates a demand of about 3.8 kW, which translates to a demand charge of $3.80 plus the demand of any other appliances running at the same time.

United Power made sure that our members can access the information they need to better understand their power consumption.  All United Power members can look at their power consumption and see when you reach your peak demand via the Power Portal. If you need help accessing the Power Portal give Member Services a call at 303-637-1300. Remember that our website, www.unitedpower.com, has lots of great information about how you can reduce demand and how demand billing works. 

Colorado students boarded a bus from United Power on Friday, June 14 to join nearly 2,000 other high school students for the 2019 Youth Leadership Tour in Washington D.C. 

Each year, United Power selects three ambitious high school students to represent the co-op at the Youth Tour. This year, United Power sponsored Catera Gagna, Brighton High School, Bethany Flanagan, Weld Central High School, and Brooklyn Stubby, Mapleton Early College. 

Students will have an opportunity to meet with elected officials, tour Washington D.C. landmarks and learn the value of the cooperatives they represent. Applications to represent the cooperative during next year’s tour will be available in December.