Smart Thermostat Rebate Expiring and Adjustment to EV Make-Ready Wiring Rebate

United Power members qualify for exclusive rebates on the purchase and set-up of beneficial electrification items and projects. Each year, the cooperative evaluates its rebate program and may recommend changes based on the benefit to the cooperative and its members. 

Most of the cooperative’s rebates will remain the same in the upcoming year, including the home efficiency and outdoor power rebates. However, a couple rebates will be discontinued or adjusted after Dec. 31, 2024. 

Smart Thermostat Rebates and Smart Rewards Benefits

Smart Rewards is a program that allows United Power to shift energy use during peak hours and saves the cooperative on expensive power purchases. Those savings are then passed on to the member. 

Enrollment in United Power’s Smart Rewards program is required to qualify for the smart thermostat rebate. Although the rebate will be discontinued for smart thermostats purchased in 2025, members may still participate in the Smart Rewards program and receive a $30 incentive, up from $25 in 2024, for each summer they are enrolled with a qualifying smart thermostat.

Members who enroll in Smart Rewards and purchase a qualifying smart thermostat before Dec. 31, 2024 will still be able to submit a rebate application. 

EV Make-Ready Wiring and United EV

United Power members who are planning to install wiring for at-home electric vehicle (EV) charging qualify for rebates on installations completed through Dec. 31, 2024. 

Members who enroll in the cooperative’s United EV program will still qualify for make-ready wiring rebates in 2025. 

United EV helps members with the up-front costs of home charging, including a ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 EV charger, wiring rebates, and rates for smart charging. The program is available for a $19/month service charge. 
Rebate applications must be received within 90 days of purchase or installation. 

Rebate applications must be received within 90 days of purchase or installation. 

Engaging with our members and communities is the highest privilege of running an electric cooperative. Understanding our members’ needs and goals allows us to meet — and often exceed — their expectations for providing electricity.

I had the pleasure of visiting two of our business members this past month — Meati Foods, the manufacturer of a “superfood” meat substitute made from mycelium, and several Chevron-owned sites. Although the two businesses could not be more different, they are similar in their visions for the energy future.

Their corporate visions include using electricity to improve operations and reduce their carbon footprint. This strategy aligns with Our Cooperative Roadmap. We have made significant progress in reducing our own greenhouse gas emissions — down 26% since May 1 — and further reductions are planned.

The value of reliable and resilient electric power is core to the business success of both Meati Foods and Chevron. The Rockies Business Unit of Chevron has pioneered the electrification of oil and gas sites, which eliminates the use of diesel generators. The benefits of this solution are a cost-effective alternative to operating and maintaining large generators and a smaller, cleaner, and quieter footprint. One site supervisor told me, “We love [electrification] because it is quiet, does not smell, and we can count on it to work.” Reliable power is also critical for Meati Food’s process, which turns a small handful of mycelium into the meat equivalent of 350 head of cattle in just over three days. Even brief power interruptions create challenges.

In both cases, there is a desire to develop on-site generation and storage that aligns perfectly with United Power’s vision of hyper-localized power, keeping power supply close at hand in a world where transmission congestion is increasing and costs are rising. Keeping generation and storage in our communities has the added benefit of bringing additional tax revenue and jobs. It also bolsters reliability and grid resilience.

As part of our energy transition and the expansion of our power supply portfolio, we broke ground on a unique 162 MW natural gas project in September that exemplifies our hyper-localization strategy. The Mountain Peak Power plant, developed in partnership with Kindle Energy, sits adjacent to one of our rural substations. The site borders a natural gas line and hosts one of our 11 MW battery energy storage systems. Since it all resides on the distribution system, it negates the need for costly transmission. It will help ensure reliability and resource adequacy at times when renewable generation is underproducing. Combined with the on-site battery, it provides a closed loop for power to support our system. 

United Power will also open the state’s largest and the West’s longest duration battery on the distribution system in December. The 33 MW, six-hour battery will be located in Brighton. Further, New ERA funds will be used to offset the cost of solar generation produced in a disadvantaged community in Alamosa County, owned by the same company that will operate the Brighton battery facility. It marks continued progress in expanding resources close to home and means we have nearly 115 MW of critical storage, allowing us to buy low-cost energy to discharge during our peak.

On a final note, we are moving into the “shoulder” months when electric usage is typically lower. It is also when work gets done on generators, substations, and related equipment. There are times when that means we have to take outages for work to be completed safely — especially by our transmission providers. We understand these outages can be inconvenient and will work diligently to communicate when they may occur. I ask you to make sure the contact information on your account is up-to-date so that you do not miss alerts.

A great thank you to your Board of Directors for their vision and support, and to the amazing women and men of United Power, whom I have the honor to serve. As always, please feel free to reach out to me with your questions, comments and concerns.
 

Francis Ashu, Vice President of Member Services, United Power, received a 2024 Alltricity Network Industry Leadership Award during the annual 2024 Alltricity Network Fall Convention on Wednesday, September 18th.

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

Francis joined United Power in 2018 as the Director of Member Services and has served as the Vice President of Member Services since 2022. He has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout his years of service with the company. Just prior to Francis coming on board, the member services team voted to unionize and ratified a contract. Francis took the helm at a critical time providing guidance to his leadership team on how to manage employees under a collective bargaining unit and working to repair the relationship between management and employees to forge a brighter path for the future.

In addition, Francis has implemented several software solutions including a call center platform, a chat feature on the United Power website with direct access to live representatives, and a customer relationship management software that have significantly improved efficiency and effectiveness with serving the electric distribution members. Francis’ efforts to improve the member service experience contribute directly to supporting United Power’s Cooperative Roadmap - specifically “engage with our members in meaningful ways.”

About Alltricity Network (formerly known as RMEL):

At Alltricity Network, we are redefining what’s possible in electrical energy. We are a diverse community of people who support the US electric energy industry, and together – united through education, networking, and training – our impact is stronger.

Alltricity Network 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. Alltricity Network’s mission is: Preparing the electric energy industry for the future through education and networking. Formerly known as the Rocky Mountain Electrical League and RMEL, the association officially became Alltricity Network in the 2024 to better reflect a membership base that spans the entire country.

For more information about Alltricity Network, visit our website: AlltricityNetwork.org.