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Democracy at the Cooperative
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Friday | February 14, 2025
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United Power members’ votes in the Director Election determine who represents them on the co-op's Board.
United Power members are uniquely given the opportunity to have a voice in the future of their electric utility. Each year, our members’ votes in the Director Election determine who will represent them on the co-op’s Board of Directors. As an electric cooperative, your participation in the annual election is critical to helping the co-op better serve its members.
Every Vote Matters Equally
United Power is a not-for-profit cooperative owned and controlled by the members it serves. When you become a member, you automatically receive the benefits all other members share, including the right to vote for board representation. As a member, your vote is equal to any other member’s vote, regardless of the kind of account they have or how large it is. “One member, one vote” is part of the cooperative principle known as Democratic Member Control. Director candidates must also live or work within United Power’s service territory, so you know you will be voting for someone who understands your community’s needs. They could even be your friends or neighbors.
Running for a Board Position
The primary difference between an investor-owned utility (IOU) and a cooperative is democratic control. IOUs make decisions to appease stakeholders and shareholders who might not live in the same state, let alone the same community. Any United Power member who meets the qualifications outlined in the bylaws is eligible to run for a position on the cooperative’s eleven-member Board of Directors. Directors serve four-year terms in one of four geographical districts. Members vote on an “at-large” basis, explained in more detail next.
Voting in the Election
Balloting opens March 14. United Power encourages all members to cast their votes in this year’s election. Members may vote electronically through their online account, or via mail ballots, sent to all members in mid-March. Directors represent all members and are therefore elected on an “at-large” basis. This means members may cast a vote for a director in each district and not just their own. Directors serve in geographic districts to ensure adequate accessibility for members and to provide a representative cross-section of United Power’s member base in the cooperative’s governing body.
Your vote always matters. To learn more about a director candidate, consider attending our Meet the Candidates event. Candidates will be announced in February, and candidate statements will be printed in the March newsletter and available online.
2025 Director Election
This year, three positions on the United Power Board are up for election at the 2025 Annual Meeting & Director Election, scheduled for April 16. Members may submit their votes electronically, via mail ballot, or in person at the Annual Meeting.
More information about how members may vote in this year’s Director Election can be found here.
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Democracy at the Cooperative
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Tuesday | February 11, 2020
Card Teaser
Each year our members’ votes in the director election determine who will represent them on the co-op’s board.
Prior to this year’s national elections in November, United Power members have the opportunity to have a say in the future of their electric cooperative. Each year our members’ votes in the director election determine who will represent them on the co-op’s board.
United Power invites participation from its members. Members have a finger on the pulse of their communities and understand what’s important to them. As an electric utility, your knowledge is critical to helping the co-op better serve its members.
Every Vote Matters Equally
United Power is a not-for-profit cooperative owned and controlled by the members it serves. When you become a member, you automatically receive the benefits all other members share, including the right to vote for board representation. Your vote always matters. As a member, your vote carries equal weight as any other member’s vote, regardless of what kind of account they have or how large it is. This is a cooperative principle known as “one member, one vote.” Director candidates must also live within United Power’s service territory, so you know you’ll be voting for someone who understands your community’s needs. They could even be your friends or neighbors.
Running for a Board Position
The primary difference between an investor-owned utility (IOU) and cooperative is democratic control. IOUs make decisions to appease stakeholders and shareholders who might not live in the same state, let alone the same community. Any United Power member in good standing is eligible to run for a position on the cooperative’s eleven-member board of directors. Directors serve three-year terms in one of four geographical districts. Although directors must live in one of these districts, members vote on an “at-large” basis, explained in more detail next.
Voting in the Election
The cooperative mails director ballots in March and encourages all members to cast votes in the election. Although directors live in a specific geographic district, they represent all members and are therefore elected on an “at-large” basis. This means members may cast a vote for a director in each district and not just their own. Directors serve in geographic districts to ensure adequate accessibility for members and to provide a representative cross-section of United Power’s member base in their leadership role. Learn more about voting policy here. Your vote always matters. To learn more about a director candidate, consider attending one of our Meet the Candidate events. Director statements are published online after February 14.
2020 Director Election
This year, four positions on United Power’s board are up for election at the 2020 Annual Meeting & Director Election, scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, 2020. Members may submit their ballot via mail, at drop boxes located at any United Power office location or in-person at the Annual Meeting. More information about how to submit your ballot may be found on the Annual Meeting page.
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Director Candidate Statements
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Friday | March 20, 2020
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There are four director seats up for election at the 2020 Annual Meeting. Director positions in the South, East, West and Mountain districts are up for three-year terms.
Annual MeetingCandidate Statements
There are four director seats up for election at the 2020 Annual Meeting. Director positions in the South, East, West and Mountain districts are up for three-year terms. Be sure to read about each of the candidates before casting your ballot. United Power directors serve in geographic districts, but they are elected on an “at-large” basis. Please vote for one candidate in EACH director district.
SOUTH DISTRICT
Greg Campbell
Greg grew up in California with his father working in the energy industry. Greg always knew he wanted to be an engineer, and he followed that dream and attended the Colorado School of Mines, graduating in 2005. Growing up on project job sites, he knew the best experience to learn the energy industry would be in the field. In addition to working throughout the U.S., he has worked around the world, with jobsites in eight different countries.
After doing this for about ten years, Greg was able to witness the surge within the U.S. in oil and gas, and he knew it was time to be part of this exciting growth away from energy dependence from foreign countries. He moved back to Colorado where he enjoyed his education, met his wife, and he now has a four-year-old son which has given him a newfound outlook for the importance of health and safety within the energy community.
Greg joined Summit Engineering in April of 2016 and is the Senior Vice President. Greg’s understanding of the energy industry and business helped him succeed in growing SESI from 23 people in 2016 ($4M in revenue) to over 140 people in 2020 ($20M+ in revenue). Greg has presented to the COGCC, in addition to his local Commerce City Chamber of Commerce regarding the industry and the drive to provide clean, safe and affordable energy to all of Colorado.
Greg’s focus around engineering regarding the health of our communities, safety of all engineering and design processed within SESI, in addition to the environmental economics surrounding this industry, has helped his company spearhead the industry through the political storm currently being experienced in Colorado. Greg understands that the changing political spectrum will result in new laws that will have an impact on the energy market, and the price of utilities to the consumer. Without a plan in place to balance where we get our electricity from (e.g. natural gas, coal, renewables, hydroelectric), we will create an upset condition in the market where the end user is the one that suffers.
The main goal of running for this position is to bring a point of view to United Power from someone who is “boots on the ground” in the industry. Colorado electricity is primarily created from coal and natural gas, and the electricity created by renewable sources has more than doubled since 2010. Politicians, both locally and nationally, continue to push an agenda to move away from fossil fuels. If elected, Greg will drive a balanced, long term approach to utilize the cleanest and cheapest form of electricity that utilizes the existing infrastructure, thus ensuring the least amount of impact to each member of United Power.
Stan Martin
United Power Board needs NEW LIFE and new blood.
As Adams County Clerk and Recorder I rolled up my sleeves implementing new innovation and technology saving you the taxpayer over $2 Million during my four year term.
As President Elect of the Colorado County Clerks Association having the opportunity to guide a statewide organization I learned what true leadership accomplishes.
As a 20 year local small business owner I learned what it takes to operate and oversee a successful business.
As a local native I learned that investing in our community pays dividends down the road.
As President of a Metro District I learned the importance of customer service.
As 17th Judicial District Board Commissioner I learned the value of being a public servant.
As a follower of Christ, I learned our purpose and identity in this life.
As your next United Power Director, I’ll work on your behalf to bring much needed “Term Limits” creating future opportunity for fresh new ideas ultimately driving innovation and technology better serving your electrical needs for generations.
As a customer just like you, what would it look like to bring NEW LIFE to United Power?
Please vote for Stan Martin this April.
Phil Noble
United Power is a co-op to be very proud of. It is always working to increase member value, improve rural and urban service, safeguard the environment and drive toward renewable energy sources. The future, however, has challenges that will require more innovation and leadership. I would like to become an important collaborating team member who contributes experience and knowledge to augment the Board of Directors’ strategic decision-making. As a board member of United Power, I would like to utilize my system-thinking expertise to accomplish strategies to meet the demand for using even fewer hydrocarbons and more energy alternatives. Having started my career in a small town in Illinois working summers and winters during college with the local municipally-owned electrical power facility, I have come full circle to this moment.
After graduating from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL I earned a master’s degree at the University of Texas in Arlington. In Texas, I worked in research and organizational development roles with public and private institutions, including the University of Texas Medical Branch, Monsanto and Exxon.
In 1993 I moved to Colorado for an opportunity at StorageTek as a Senior Organizational Development consultant, in which I focused primarily on business and quality processes as well as executive coaching, strategic planning and customer intelligence gathering.
Seven years later, I became an independent consultant and worked with, to name a few, the US Forest Service, Department of Defense, Exxon, Hewlett Packard, Lucent Technologies and startups in Silicon Valley. In 2005 I became Director of Organizational Development for a Baldridge Award-winning hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, and later continued in healthcare as Director of Workforce Development at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center in Wyoming.
In 2009 I joined the Adams County Workforce and Business Center, and two years later became the Director/Administrator. In that capacity, I was involved in board leadership in several organizations:
Executive Director, Adams County Workforce Development Board
Board Member, Adams County Education Consortium
Board Member, Adams County Economic Development
Board Member, Brighton Economic Development
Chair, Colorado Urban Workforce Alliance
Upon retirement, I planned to participate in outdoor activities, write and enjoy time with my wife and with my two adult children who also live in Commerce City, and I also knew I wanted to make a contribution where community, accountability and planning for the next generations’ future are priorities. That is United Power. I respectfully invite your consideration of my many years of community involvement, board experience, applied systems thinking, organizational skills, and deep understanding of workforce realities to represent your co-op member interests on the Board of Directors of United Power. Thank you for your support.
Dave E. Rose
United Power has had much success in the past few years and it has been a privilege to serve you as your United Power Director during these successful years. There are still many challenges facing United Power in our efforts to reduce rates and provide clean, reliable power to your homes, farms and businesses and I would like to continue to represent you. Based on my director certifications I have earned in the past few years I continue to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to make valuable decisions for all members. I am Dave Rose asking for your vote and support to re-elect me so I can continue to work for you.
I have been active in community events, meetings, and new developments that UP has initiated to better serve all the members in the UP territories. During this time UP has welcomed 2400 new members in Frederick, opened the Carbon Valley Service Center, implemented the Fire Mitigation Policy, exceeded $500 million in assets for the first time and reached 843 consecutive days without loss of time injuries. Also, during this time frame UP built the largest storage battery system in the state and quickly restored power outages during the bomb cyclone winter storm.
These are just a few of the major accomplishments and I know the importance of providing, affordable, reliable, safe, environmentally friendly electrical service to all the residential, agricultural and business members. I will continue to work hard for you as we negotiate with Tri-State to reduce energy rates and provide more flexibility in member choice. In my continued efforts to serve you I look forward visiting all the communities in the UP territories to meet and listen to UP members’ energy needs.
Experiences and Qualifications
United Power Board of Directors, 2014 – current
Almost Home Board of Directors, 2012 – current
Colorado Air and Space Port Advisory Board, 2013 -2020
Brighton Urban Renewal Authority, 2002 – 2019
Former Brighton Mayor and City Councilman (6 years)
Former RTD Board of Directors (8 years)
Kiwanis Club of Brighton, 1990 – current
Registered Psychotherapist (part-time), 2015 – 2020
Former Brighton Elementary School Principal, 32 years (National Distinguished Principal)
Formal education: B.S and M.S. degrees (Northeast Missouri State College) and Ed.S. U of Iowa
Family Man: Wife, Wilma, Son Ryan Daughter-in-Law, Connie, Grandson Hayden and Cooper, Daughters, Samantha, Megan and Son-in-Law Andrew Garnett and Granddaughter Blair.
EAST DISTRICT
James Vigesaa
Greetings United Power Members
Looking back on the past nine years I have served as your East District Director; it is amazing how the cooperative has grown and evolved during this time.
In 2011 when I became a Board Member our Annual Load was approximately 2,796 megawatts. By 2019 our Load has grown to approximately 4,951 megawatts—a 77 percent increase. The United Power “Can Do” team of great employees has not only seamlessly managed this growth but has actually increased our reliability of keeping the lights on! For a reliability snapshot comparison, In January of this year 2020 we had 48% less meters affected by outages than our historical five year average—and this was done while we added 20,000 meters to the system.
Nationally, thoughts on how power is generated has evolved with on coal fired generation being highly discouraged and renewable generation encouraged in its place. Locally, We have addressed this by providing Cost Effective green/alternative energy for our members through our industrial scale solar fields and other renewables. We have also worked with members who desire their own rooftop solar to the extent that approximately 3% of our residential members utilize rooftop solar-putting us near the top of electrical distribution systems for the use of rooftop solar. In addition to renewable generation, We have pioneered the use of Battery Storage. Our 4 Megawatt Battery Storage uses power at night (When demand is low) to charge the batteries, and then release that power back onto the grid during daytime peak demand. Using this battery storage allows the power plants to be more efficient and reduces the need for new power plant construction. Not only is the use of this renewable generation and battery storage good for the environment, it also saves our members money by reducing the cost of power nearly $4,000,000 dollars a year.
Looking ahead to the future—the biggest challenge facing us is power supply. We are working with our power supplier, Tri-State Generation to reduce the cost of our power supply as well as increase the amount of renewable generation within the power supply. As your Board of Directors, we make business decisions based on what is best for our members. We all are very committed to cost effectiveness, and for 2019 we have returned $5.5 million in Capital Credits back to our members.
I thank you for the opportunity to continue to serve you on the Board Of Directors and look forward to the next 3 years focusing on power supply, continued cost effectiveness and retirement of Capital Credits. Please do not hesitate to contact me at jvigesaa@unitedpower.coop with any questions, comments or concerns that you may have.
WEST DISTRICT
Virginia "Ginny" A. Buczek
Virginia “Ginny’’ Buczek, is the incumbent director in the West District, and currently works part-time in design review. She has 13 years private sector managerial work experience and studied business management at Red Rocks Community College. Buczek earned her CCD, Board Leadership and Gold Leadership certifications from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). During her tenure she has served as the President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, and currently chairs The Audit Committee. Buczek is United Power’s director on the Colorado Rural Electric Association Board (CREA). She is Vice President of the CREA Board, serves on CREA’s Executive and Policy Committees. She has served as CREA’s Secretary, Treasure and Budget and Finance Chair. Buczek represents United Power on the TriState G&T Contract Committee.
Ginny’s elected and appointed experience includes: Weld County Council, Southwest Weld Technical Committee, Tri-area Ambulance Board of Directors. She has been active in her hometown, on the Firestone Planning Commission, Firestone Board of Trustees, and Park Commission, receiving the Colorado State Parks’, Conservation Hero Award, 2006. She served on United Power Round-Up Foundation before being elected as a United Power Director.
She has been active in many civic groups including 4-H, Girl Scouts, Neighborhood Watch, and Frederick High School Booster Club. Ginny is a member of the Colorado WestPoint Parents Club, has served on congressional and a senatorial Military Academy Appointment Boards and is a member of Weld County’s Bright Futures Advisory Board.
“The electric industry is rapidly changing; presenting new opportunities and challenges requiring experienced, knowledgeable leadership. It is the responsibility of Directors to contribute to decisions resulting in a focused plan to maximize and leverage opportunities, mitigate risk and maintain a quality workforce. Ensuring safe, reliable, cost efficient electrical power, financial stability, maintaining quality service for all United Power members, and positioning the Cooperative to provide the future needs of our communities are fundamental Board duties.
I have been a committed member of the United Power community for twenty-nine years and remain focused on the families and businesses of our community. I thank you, for the investment you have made in me as one of your United Power Directors. That investment has provided hundreds of hours of Electric Cooperative education. Using my electric director education, coop experience and the input you have provided, I will continue to work for the best interest of the members. Thank you, for your continued support and interest in Your Coop. I would be honored to serve you, the members, for another term.”
James P. Menghi
Jim Menghi has been a United Power member for 9 years. Jim is retired from a career in accounting and auditing. Jim worked at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) as the Deputy Director of the Joint Office for Science Support (JOSS) since 2002 and Internal Auditor/Compliance Officer from 1985 to 2002. Jim retired in 2016. Previously, he was an Auditor with the US General Accounting Office (GAO) for nine years. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Delaware and held several related professional certifications during his career. In addition, Jim has served on the Elevations Credit Union Board of Directors since 2008. During his directorship of this financial cooperative, Elevations increased membership to 139,000 and assets under management to $2.2 Billion. Under Jim’s directorship, Elevations was awarded many quality awards. The most noteworthy award is the Malcolm Baldridge Presidential Quality Award awarded in 2015. As with any company’s efforts to improve the quality of products and services, the Malcolm Baldridge framework changed the corporate culture to focus on quality. The general sentiment among the staff is “it is more about the journey than the award.”
Raising two daughters has been his pride and joy, but when possible he walks, bikes and hikes, taking advantage of the great Colorado outdoor lifestyle.
As a successful candidate for United Power Board of Directors, Jim will apply his governance and fiduciary experience to act with integrity while representing and supporting United Power’s and our members’ best interests.
MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Tamra K. Waltemath
I, Tamra (Tami) Waltemath am currently the director for the Mountain District. In my three years as a director, I have worked hard to educate myself about the electric industry, taking classes to obtain a Credentialed Cooperative Director designation and a Board Leadership certificate from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). United Power is a leader in the move toward battery storage, community solar, renewable energy, micro-grids and fire mitigation in our mountains. New technologies are challenging the electric industry to be cleaner, cheaper and more dependable and I would like to continue to be involved in the efforts to make United Power the best cooperative in Colorado.
I have a good background to be your director. I am an attorney with my own practice in Westminster, Colorado. As an attorney I have experience in operating a business, I understand contracts and contractual relationships as well as employee issues and I understand the fiduciary duties required of a director. I am comfortable with making daily decisions as well as planning for long range goals. Participating on a board requires engaging in a group collaborative process, a skill I have found necessary to be a good attorney.
I currently serve on the board of directors for the Coal Creek Community Improvement Association and I believe in giving back to my community. United Power as a cooperative, follows cooperative principles which include supporting the communities it serves. I will continue to be a director who encourages the efforts of United Power to actively engage its members to be informed about what is taking place in their communities. United Power helps bring communities together by helping them to hold events like parades, community dinners and children’s events. I feel proud to be a director of a corporation that supports its communities and provides value to our members.
As a United Power member, I am a consumer, like you. As a United Power director, I promise to work with the entire United Power community to achieve a clean energy future. I will listen to the concerns and needs of all our members, because it is the members I serve as a director and I would be honored to serve you for another term.
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Drive Electric with United EV + Rebates
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Friday | September 16, 2022
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National Drive Electric Week is Sept. 23 – Oct. 2, 2022
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.
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Early Fall Message from Mark A. Gabriel
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Tuesday | September 6, 2022
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A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
The energy transition is upon us and I am proud of the team at United Power for not only being ready but also leading the charge (pun fully intended).
Congress recently passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which will fundamentally and forever change the energy landscape. It will bring beneficial electrification to all Americans in a way not seen since the cooperative model was born to bring electricity to rural parts of our nation in the 1930s. It is in that spirit that funding for critical infrastructure, expanded support for electric vehicles (EVs), and support for new and advanced generation technologies will be made available to our communities.
United Power has a proud history of being at the forefront of innovation in the energy industry, thanks to tremendous support from your Board of Directors and visionary leaders in the organization. More than a decade ago, United Power unveiled the first community solar farm and five years ago the cooperative energized the largest (still) long-duration battery storage project in Colorado. It has deployed an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), created and expanded a strategic EV charging network, and recently launched a simple home charging and load control pilot program for just $19 per month. Information about the charging pilot program can be found on our website at www.unitedpower.com/unitedev. Coupled with the numerous energy efficiency and member-friendly programs, your cooperative is well-positioned for the next wave of development.
Thanks to Our Cooperative Roadmap, United Power is prepared to manage into this new energy frontier. While some cooperatives are scrambling to find projects to tie to the IRA, we are already able to bring immediate benefits to our communities. Whether it is the expansion of our EV charging network, working with school districts to obtain funds for electric buses, or using coated conductors in our mountain district to reduce the potential for wildfires, United Power has plans to help these programs lauch quickly.
Our movement toward becoming a Distribution System Operator (DSO) is key to our continued success. As a DSO, United Power can take advantage of systems we have in place - such as AMI or our Outage Management System (OMS) - to share and control information, reduce the amount of power we need to buy, and better manage our system. As a market comes to the west in the next 24-36 months, we will be able to buy and sell power at lower costs and be part of an expanded footprint that can take advantage of weather and time differences.
United Power is focusing on the future of the cooperative, beginning with the finalization of a new power supplier effective May 2024. I am pleased to report that at least 34 companies are vying for our business, with many imaginative projects that will provide better economics, as well as improved carbon management. Our first priority is reliability, followed by affordability, and coupled with a lower carbon future. This aligns with the needs of our membership.
These are exciting times in the energy space, and your cooperative is ready to step into the forefront in support of our communities. If you would like me, or any member of our senior team, to speak about the cooperative’s future at any local events or meetings, please let us know. We are proud of our efforts and happy to spread the word.
We have a great tradition of being prepared for the future at United Power and I want every member to feel empowered to reach out to me and our staff at any time. I welcome the opportunity to meet you where you are, so do not hesitate to contact me or a member of our senior staff. You can submit a comment for me here.
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Early Summer Message from Mark A. Gabriel
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Wednesday | May 4, 2022
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A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
Our Cooperative Roadmap leads a list of amazing accomplishments in 2021. United Power took a different, and slightly longer, view of our actions and investments over the next decade. This was essential as we embrace the dramatic changes and tremendous opportunities taking place in the most critical infrastructure of all – electricity.
It is important to put the Roadmap in the context of our innovative history and community involvement. United Power pioneered technologies, installing the first cooperative community solar project, capturing methane gas from the Erie landfill to generate electricity, and installing the largest battery storage project in Colorado. We have expanded our electric vehicle (EV) charging network, examined how blockchain can facilitate member-to-member transactions, and partnered on a geothermal project with oil and gas operators to generate power in the field for use on site.
Our Roadmap has four priorities: empower and engage our membership and communities; provide flexible, affordable, sustainable power and services; continuously optimize our electric distribution system; and achieve and maintain business agility and resilience through information technology and operational technology (IT/OT) and system operations.
Engaging our members and communities means making programs available so you have a more active role in managing your electric bills while helping us manage the system more efficiently. What does this look like? Simply put, managing connected energy resources to avoid peaks, lower demand, and provide a benefit for all members.
We want to help our member communities grow into their vision of an ideal town or city. We want to be the power behind the spaces you call home. But with all our growth, it is important we also continue to perform well as a business. Optimizing our system promotes more efficiency, shorter outages, and better wildfire protection.
And what about your power? Should it be less expensive? Should it be generated closer to home? How can we be an active voice in the discussion about where energy is going in the next decade?
Flexibility in our power supply has many layers. First and foremost, United Power is seeking a new source for wholesale power. We can no longer live in an expensive, constrained generation environment. We must be in position to take full advantage of coming power markets. This is truly about economics – keeping dollars in our communities, lowering rates, and being able to work with members and others who want to generate more cost-effective electricity. If you want to learn more about how we are planning for these future changes, join us for our Power Supply Forum on June 7 (Details here).
Underlying all these initiatives is the need for technology that will allow us to move to the next level. We need to collect and analyze information about our system and provide automated solutions that give members control over their energy usage. Events of the past couple years have tested and confirmed our ability to deliver these solutions to people working beyond the office.
There are other utilities fighting the future and trying to keep inefficient generation on the market, failing to embrace technology, markets, and member engagement opportunities. Holding onto the past, be it business models or technologies, has never worked.
What does the future look like for United Power? Abraham Lincoln is to have said, “the best way to predict the future is to create it.” We are doing just that thanks to the tremendous support of your Board of Directors and the employees who work with phenomenal dedication every day. Bottom line: we must continue providing a robust network so that every member behind every meter has every option to engage in the way they desire.
We need to do this while ensuring high quality, high reliability, and reasonably priced power. Engagement is key, and I encourage all members to reach out to me as we execute Our Cooperative Roadmap.
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Early Winter Message from Mark A. Gabriel
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Friday | December 2, 2022
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A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
One of the newest buzz phrases in the energy industry is the “shared energy economy.” In this economy, all the resources necessary for keeping the lights on, keeping our homes and businesses running, and keeping society humming are jointly managed for the benefit of all.
The cooperative business model was founded on this very principle more than 80 years ago, with communities coming together and bringing light where there was darkness.
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), an independent nonprofit energy research, development, and deployment organization, has a fancy definition of this shared energy economy:
“Technical, business, regulatory, and policy conditions that allow customer-owned resources to supplement utility operations in providing value to consumers while also providing value to the asset owner.”
Today we have advanced technologies that are creating an energy web, linking centralized resources and member-owned resources, such as electric vehicles (EVs), solar panels, and home battery storage in new and exciting ways. The coming of a power market in the next two years will allow United Power — on your behalf — to manage a variety of electric inputs that will help lower bills and make better use of the electricity we buy.
Taking advantage of the shared energy economy is one of the many reasons we are working to find new, more forward-leaning power suppliers, as our current arrangement limits the flexibility we can provide our members and the choices that are available. We have outlined this future in Our Cooperative Roadmap that envisions a day in the not-to-distant future when we are no longer penalized for being efficient, having large scale batteries, or working with our members to serve their needs in a mutually beneficial manner.
There are more than 9,200 members with solar rooftops, 150 with batteries, and many thousands buying EVs in our service territory. Combining those with load management programs for water heating, air conditioning, and on-site generation will allow United Power to bring value and share the economic benefit of those investments.
These changes will help many of our industrial and commercial members meet their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, while also achieving Colorado’s planned reduction in emissions. It is important to recognize how the economics are driving these changes for United Power first and foremost. We can get the dual benefit of meeting goals and lowering costs.
The shared energy economy has been a cornerstone of the cooperative business model, and this continued evolution fits well into United Power’s history as an energy leader on your behalf and recognizes the future opportunities for our communities.
As always, I welcome your comments and insights, as well opportunities to meet with our members anytime. Please feel free to reach out to me or any member of our executive team with questions or concerns.
Electrical Safety During Quarantine
Monday | January 11, 2021
With more time spent at home, it’s important our members consider the electrical safety implications of the current period.
Read more >
Electricity-Dependent Medical Devices
Tuesday | February 18, 2020
United Power can’t guarantee your service won’t be interrupted by scheduled maintenance or an outage. In the event of an outage, we recommend you plan for how to respond.
Read more >
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Democracy at the Cooperative
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Friday | February 14, 2025
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United Power members’ votes in the Director Election determine who represents them on the co-op's Board.
United Power members are uniquely given the opportunity to have a voice in the future of their electric utility. Each year, our members’ votes in the Director Election determine who will represent them on the co-op’s Board of Directors. As an electric cooperative, your participation in the annual election is critical to helping the co-op better serve its members.
Every Vote Matters Equally
United Power is a not-for-profit cooperative owned and controlled by the members it serves. When you become a member, you automatically receive the benefits all other members share, including the right to vote for board representation. As a member, your vote is equal to any other member’s vote, regardless of the kind of account they have or how large it is. “One member, one vote” is part of the cooperative principle known as Democratic Member Control. Director candidates must also live or work within United Power’s service territory, so you know you will be voting for someone who understands your community’s needs. They could even be your friends or neighbors.
Running for a Board Position
The primary difference between an investor-owned utility (IOU) and a cooperative is democratic control. IOUs make decisions to appease stakeholders and shareholders who might not live in the same state, let alone the same community. Any United Power member who meets the qualifications outlined in the bylaws is eligible to run for a position on the cooperative’s eleven-member Board of Directors. Directors serve four-year terms in one of four geographical districts. Members vote on an “at-large” basis, explained in more detail next.
Voting in the Election
Balloting opens March 14. United Power encourages all members to cast their votes in this year’s election. Members may vote electronically through their online account, or via mail ballots, sent to all members in mid-March. Directors represent all members and are therefore elected on an “at-large” basis. This means members may cast a vote for a director in each district and not just their own. Directors serve in geographic districts to ensure adequate accessibility for members and to provide a representative cross-section of United Power’s member base in the cooperative’s governing body.
Your vote always matters. To learn more about a director candidate, consider attending our Meet the Candidates event. Candidates will be announced in February, and candidate statements will be printed in the March newsletter and available online.
2025 Director Election
This year, three positions on the United Power Board are up for election at the 2025 Annual Meeting & Director Election, scheduled for April 16. Members may submit their votes electronically, via mail ballot, or in person at the Annual Meeting.
More information about how members may vote in this year’s Director Election can be found here.
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Democracy at the Cooperative
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Tuesday | February 11, 2020
Card Teaser
Each year our members’ votes in the director election determine who will represent them on the co-op’s board.
Prior to this year’s national elections in November, United Power members have the opportunity to have a say in the future of their electric cooperative. Each year our members’ votes in the director election determine who will represent them on the co-op’s board.
United Power invites participation from its members. Members have a finger on the pulse of their communities and understand what’s important to them. As an electric utility, your knowledge is critical to helping the co-op better serve its members.
Every Vote Matters Equally
United Power is a not-for-profit cooperative owned and controlled by the members it serves. When you become a member, you automatically receive the benefits all other members share, including the right to vote for board representation. Your vote always matters. As a member, your vote carries equal weight as any other member’s vote, regardless of what kind of account they have or how large it is. This is a cooperative principle known as “one member, one vote.” Director candidates must also live within United Power’s service territory, so you know you’ll be voting for someone who understands your community’s needs. They could even be your friends or neighbors.
Running for a Board Position
The primary difference between an investor-owned utility (IOU) and cooperative is democratic control. IOUs make decisions to appease stakeholders and shareholders who might not live in the same state, let alone the same community. Any United Power member in good standing is eligible to run for a position on the cooperative’s eleven-member board of directors. Directors serve three-year terms in one of four geographical districts. Although directors must live in one of these districts, members vote on an “at-large” basis, explained in more detail next.
Voting in the Election
The cooperative mails director ballots in March and encourages all members to cast votes in the election. Although directors live in a specific geographic district, they represent all members and are therefore elected on an “at-large” basis. This means members may cast a vote for a director in each district and not just their own. Directors serve in geographic districts to ensure adequate accessibility for members and to provide a representative cross-section of United Power’s member base in their leadership role. Learn more about voting policy here. Your vote always matters. To learn more about a director candidate, consider attending one of our Meet the Candidate events. Director statements are published online after February 14.
2020 Director Election
This year, four positions on United Power’s board are up for election at the 2020 Annual Meeting & Director Election, scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, 2020. Members may submit their ballot via mail, at drop boxes located at any United Power office location or in-person at the Annual Meeting. More information about how to submit your ballot may be found on the Annual Meeting page.
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Director Candidate Statements
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Friday | March 20, 2020
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There are four director seats up for election at the 2020 Annual Meeting. Director positions in the South, East, West and Mountain districts are up for three-year terms.
Annual MeetingCandidate Statements
There are four director seats up for election at the 2020 Annual Meeting. Director positions in the South, East, West and Mountain districts are up for three-year terms. Be sure to read about each of the candidates before casting your ballot. United Power directors serve in geographic districts, but they are elected on an “at-large” basis. Please vote for one candidate in EACH director district.
SOUTH DISTRICT
Greg Campbell
Greg grew up in California with his father working in the energy industry. Greg always knew he wanted to be an engineer, and he followed that dream and attended the Colorado School of Mines, graduating in 2005. Growing up on project job sites, he knew the best experience to learn the energy industry would be in the field. In addition to working throughout the U.S., he has worked around the world, with jobsites in eight different countries.
After doing this for about ten years, Greg was able to witness the surge within the U.S. in oil and gas, and he knew it was time to be part of this exciting growth away from energy dependence from foreign countries. He moved back to Colorado where he enjoyed his education, met his wife, and he now has a four-year-old son which has given him a newfound outlook for the importance of health and safety within the energy community.
Greg joined Summit Engineering in April of 2016 and is the Senior Vice President. Greg’s understanding of the energy industry and business helped him succeed in growing SESI from 23 people in 2016 ($4M in revenue) to over 140 people in 2020 ($20M+ in revenue). Greg has presented to the COGCC, in addition to his local Commerce City Chamber of Commerce regarding the industry and the drive to provide clean, safe and affordable energy to all of Colorado.
Greg’s focus around engineering regarding the health of our communities, safety of all engineering and design processed within SESI, in addition to the environmental economics surrounding this industry, has helped his company spearhead the industry through the political storm currently being experienced in Colorado. Greg understands that the changing political spectrum will result in new laws that will have an impact on the energy market, and the price of utilities to the consumer. Without a plan in place to balance where we get our electricity from (e.g. natural gas, coal, renewables, hydroelectric), we will create an upset condition in the market where the end user is the one that suffers.
The main goal of running for this position is to bring a point of view to United Power from someone who is “boots on the ground” in the industry. Colorado electricity is primarily created from coal and natural gas, and the electricity created by renewable sources has more than doubled since 2010. Politicians, both locally and nationally, continue to push an agenda to move away from fossil fuels. If elected, Greg will drive a balanced, long term approach to utilize the cleanest and cheapest form of electricity that utilizes the existing infrastructure, thus ensuring the least amount of impact to each member of United Power.
Stan Martin
United Power Board needs NEW LIFE and new blood.
As Adams County Clerk and Recorder I rolled up my sleeves implementing new innovation and technology saving you the taxpayer over $2 Million during my four year term.
As President Elect of the Colorado County Clerks Association having the opportunity to guide a statewide organization I learned what true leadership accomplishes.
As a 20 year local small business owner I learned what it takes to operate and oversee a successful business.
As a local native I learned that investing in our community pays dividends down the road.
As President of a Metro District I learned the importance of customer service.
As 17th Judicial District Board Commissioner I learned the value of being a public servant.
As a follower of Christ, I learned our purpose and identity in this life.
As your next United Power Director, I’ll work on your behalf to bring much needed “Term Limits” creating future opportunity for fresh new ideas ultimately driving innovation and technology better serving your electrical needs for generations.
As a customer just like you, what would it look like to bring NEW LIFE to United Power?
Please vote for Stan Martin this April.
Phil Noble
United Power is a co-op to be very proud of. It is always working to increase member value, improve rural and urban service, safeguard the environment and drive toward renewable energy sources. The future, however, has challenges that will require more innovation and leadership. I would like to become an important collaborating team member who contributes experience and knowledge to augment the Board of Directors’ strategic decision-making. As a board member of United Power, I would like to utilize my system-thinking expertise to accomplish strategies to meet the demand for using even fewer hydrocarbons and more energy alternatives. Having started my career in a small town in Illinois working summers and winters during college with the local municipally-owned electrical power facility, I have come full circle to this moment.
After graduating from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL I earned a master’s degree at the University of Texas in Arlington. In Texas, I worked in research and organizational development roles with public and private institutions, including the University of Texas Medical Branch, Monsanto and Exxon.
In 1993 I moved to Colorado for an opportunity at StorageTek as a Senior Organizational Development consultant, in which I focused primarily on business and quality processes as well as executive coaching, strategic planning and customer intelligence gathering.
Seven years later, I became an independent consultant and worked with, to name a few, the US Forest Service, Department of Defense, Exxon, Hewlett Packard, Lucent Technologies and startups in Silicon Valley. In 2005 I became Director of Organizational Development for a Baldridge Award-winning hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, and later continued in healthcare as Director of Workforce Development at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center in Wyoming.
In 2009 I joined the Adams County Workforce and Business Center, and two years later became the Director/Administrator. In that capacity, I was involved in board leadership in several organizations:
Executive Director, Adams County Workforce Development Board
Board Member, Adams County Education Consortium
Board Member, Adams County Economic Development
Board Member, Brighton Economic Development
Chair, Colorado Urban Workforce Alliance
Upon retirement, I planned to participate in outdoor activities, write and enjoy time with my wife and with my two adult children who also live in Commerce City, and I also knew I wanted to make a contribution where community, accountability and planning for the next generations’ future are priorities. That is United Power. I respectfully invite your consideration of my many years of community involvement, board experience, applied systems thinking, organizational skills, and deep understanding of workforce realities to represent your co-op member interests on the Board of Directors of United Power. Thank you for your support.
Dave E. Rose
United Power has had much success in the past few years and it has been a privilege to serve you as your United Power Director during these successful years. There are still many challenges facing United Power in our efforts to reduce rates and provide clean, reliable power to your homes, farms and businesses and I would like to continue to represent you. Based on my director certifications I have earned in the past few years I continue to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to make valuable decisions for all members. I am Dave Rose asking for your vote and support to re-elect me so I can continue to work for you.
I have been active in community events, meetings, and new developments that UP has initiated to better serve all the members in the UP territories. During this time UP has welcomed 2400 new members in Frederick, opened the Carbon Valley Service Center, implemented the Fire Mitigation Policy, exceeded $500 million in assets for the first time and reached 843 consecutive days without loss of time injuries. Also, during this time frame UP built the largest storage battery system in the state and quickly restored power outages during the bomb cyclone winter storm.
These are just a few of the major accomplishments and I know the importance of providing, affordable, reliable, safe, environmentally friendly electrical service to all the residential, agricultural and business members. I will continue to work hard for you as we negotiate with Tri-State to reduce energy rates and provide more flexibility in member choice. In my continued efforts to serve you I look forward visiting all the communities in the UP territories to meet and listen to UP members’ energy needs.
Experiences and Qualifications
United Power Board of Directors, 2014 – current
Almost Home Board of Directors, 2012 – current
Colorado Air and Space Port Advisory Board, 2013 -2020
Brighton Urban Renewal Authority, 2002 – 2019
Former Brighton Mayor and City Councilman (6 years)
Former RTD Board of Directors (8 years)
Kiwanis Club of Brighton, 1990 – current
Registered Psychotherapist (part-time), 2015 – 2020
Former Brighton Elementary School Principal, 32 years (National Distinguished Principal)
Formal education: B.S and M.S. degrees (Northeast Missouri State College) and Ed.S. U of Iowa
Family Man: Wife, Wilma, Son Ryan Daughter-in-Law, Connie, Grandson Hayden and Cooper, Daughters, Samantha, Megan and Son-in-Law Andrew Garnett and Granddaughter Blair.
EAST DISTRICT
James Vigesaa
Greetings United Power Members
Looking back on the past nine years I have served as your East District Director; it is amazing how the cooperative has grown and evolved during this time.
In 2011 when I became a Board Member our Annual Load was approximately 2,796 megawatts. By 2019 our Load has grown to approximately 4,951 megawatts—a 77 percent increase. The United Power “Can Do” team of great employees has not only seamlessly managed this growth but has actually increased our reliability of keeping the lights on! For a reliability snapshot comparison, In January of this year 2020 we had 48% less meters affected by outages than our historical five year average—and this was done while we added 20,000 meters to the system.
Nationally, thoughts on how power is generated has evolved with on coal fired generation being highly discouraged and renewable generation encouraged in its place. Locally, We have addressed this by providing Cost Effective green/alternative energy for our members through our industrial scale solar fields and other renewables. We have also worked with members who desire their own rooftop solar to the extent that approximately 3% of our residential members utilize rooftop solar-putting us near the top of electrical distribution systems for the use of rooftop solar. In addition to renewable generation, We have pioneered the use of Battery Storage. Our 4 Megawatt Battery Storage uses power at night (When demand is low) to charge the batteries, and then release that power back onto the grid during daytime peak demand. Using this battery storage allows the power plants to be more efficient and reduces the need for new power plant construction. Not only is the use of this renewable generation and battery storage good for the environment, it also saves our members money by reducing the cost of power nearly $4,000,000 dollars a year.
Looking ahead to the future—the biggest challenge facing us is power supply. We are working with our power supplier, Tri-State Generation to reduce the cost of our power supply as well as increase the amount of renewable generation within the power supply. As your Board of Directors, we make business decisions based on what is best for our members. We all are very committed to cost effectiveness, and for 2019 we have returned $5.5 million in Capital Credits back to our members.
I thank you for the opportunity to continue to serve you on the Board Of Directors and look forward to the next 3 years focusing on power supply, continued cost effectiveness and retirement of Capital Credits. Please do not hesitate to contact me at jvigesaa@unitedpower.coop with any questions, comments or concerns that you may have.
WEST DISTRICT
Virginia "Ginny" A. Buczek
Virginia “Ginny’’ Buczek, is the incumbent director in the West District, and currently works part-time in design review. She has 13 years private sector managerial work experience and studied business management at Red Rocks Community College. Buczek earned her CCD, Board Leadership and Gold Leadership certifications from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). During her tenure she has served as the President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, and currently chairs The Audit Committee. Buczek is United Power’s director on the Colorado Rural Electric Association Board (CREA). She is Vice President of the CREA Board, serves on CREA’s Executive and Policy Committees. She has served as CREA’s Secretary, Treasure and Budget and Finance Chair. Buczek represents United Power on the TriState G&T Contract Committee.
Ginny’s elected and appointed experience includes: Weld County Council, Southwest Weld Technical Committee, Tri-area Ambulance Board of Directors. She has been active in her hometown, on the Firestone Planning Commission, Firestone Board of Trustees, and Park Commission, receiving the Colorado State Parks’, Conservation Hero Award, 2006. She served on United Power Round-Up Foundation before being elected as a United Power Director.
She has been active in many civic groups including 4-H, Girl Scouts, Neighborhood Watch, and Frederick High School Booster Club. Ginny is a member of the Colorado WestPoint Parents Club, has served on congressional and a senatorial Military Academy Appointment Boards and is a member of Weld County’s Bright Futures Advisory Board.
“The electric industry is rapidly changing; presenting new opportunities and challenges requiring experienced, knowledgeable leadership. It is the responsibility of Directors to contribute to decisions resulting in a focused plan to maximize and leverage opportunities, mitigate risk and maintain a quality workforce. Ensuring safe, reliable, cost efficient electrical power, financial stability, maintaining quality service for all United Power members, and positioning the Cooperative to provide the future needs of our communities are fundamental Board duties.
I have been a committed member of the United Power community for twenty-nine years and remain focused on the families and businesses of our community. I thank you, for the investment you have made in me as one of your United Power Directors. That investment has provided hundreds of hours of Electric Cooperative education. Using my electric director education, coop experience and the input you have provided, I will continue to work for the best interest of the members. Thank you, for your continued support and interest in Your Coop. I would be honored to serve you, the members, for another term.”
James P. Menghi
Jim Menghi has been a United Power member for 9 years. Jim is retired from a career in accounting and auditing. Jim worked at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) as the Deputy Director of the Joint Office for Science Support (JOSS) since 2002 and Internal Auditor/Compliance Officer from 1985 to 2002. Jim retired in 2016. Previously, he was an Auditor with the US General Accounting Office (GAO) for nine years. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Delaware and held several related professional certifications during his career. In addition, Jim has served on the Elevations Credit Union Board of Directors since 2008. During his directorship of this financial cooperative, Elevations increased membership to 139,000 and assets under management to $2.2 Billion. Under Jim’s directorship, Elevations was awarded many quality awards. The most noteworthy award is the Malcolm Baldridge Presidential Quality Award awarded in 2015. As with any company’s efforts to improve the quality of products and services, the Malcolm Baldridge framework changed the corporate culture to focus on quality. The general sentiment among the staff is “it is more about the journey than the award.”
Raising two daughters has been his pride and joy, but when possible he walks, bikes and hikes, taking advantage of the great Colorado outdoor lifestyle.
As a successful candidate for United Power Board of Directors, Jim will apply his governance and fiduciary experience to act with integrity while representing and supporting United Power’s and our members’ best interests.
MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Tamra K. Waltemath
I, Tamra (Tami) Waltemath am currently the director for the Mountain District. In my three years as a director, I have worked hard to educate myself about the electric industry, taking classes to obtain a Credentialed Cooperative Director designation and a Board Leadership certificate from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). United Power is a leader in the move toward battery storage, community solar, renewable energy, micro-grids and fire mitigation in our mountains. New technologies are challenging the electric industry to be cleaner, cheaper and more dependable and I would like to continue to be involved in the efforts to make United Power the best cooperative in Colorado.
I have a good background to be your director. I am an attorney with my own practice in Westminster, Colorado. As an attorney I have experience in operating a business, I understand contracts and contractual relationships as well as employee issues and I understand the fiduciary duties required of a director. I am comfortable with making daily decisions as well as planning for long range goals. Participating on a board requires engaging in a group collaborative process, a skill I have found necessary to be a good attorney.
I currently serve on the board of directors for the Coal Creek Community Improvement Association and I believe in giving back to my community. United Power as a cooperative, follows cooperative principles which include supporting the communities it serves. I will continue to be a director who encourages the efforts of United Power to actively engage its members to be informed about what is taking place in their communities. United Power helps bring communities together by helping them to hold events like parades, community dinners and children’s events. I feel proud to be a director of a corporation that supports its communities and provides value to our members.
As a United Power member, I am a consumer, like you. As a United Power director, I promise to work with the entire United Power community to achieve a clean energy future. I will listen to the concerns and needs of all our members, because it is the members I serve as a director and I would be honored to serve you for another term.
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Drive Electric with United EV + Rebates
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Friday | September 16, 2022
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National Drive Electric Week is Sept. 23 – Oct. 2, 2022
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.
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Early Fall Message from Mark A. Gabriel
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Tuesday | September 6, 2022
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A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
The energy transition is upon us and I am proud of the team at United Power for not only being ready but also leading the charge (pun fully intended).
Congress recently passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which will fundamentally and forever change the energy landscape. It will bring beneficial electrification to all Americans in a way not seen since the cooperative model was born to bring electricity to rural parts of our nation in the 1930s. It is in that spirit that funding for critical infrastructure, expanded support for electric vehicles (EVs), and support for new and advanced generation technologies will be made available to our communities.
United Power has a proud history of being at the forefront of innovation in the energy industry, thanks to tremendous support from your Board of Directors and visionary leaders in the organization. More than a decade ago, United Power unveiled the first community solar farm and five years ago the cooperative energized the largest (still) long-duration battery storage project in Colorado. It has deployed an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), created and expanded a strategic EV charging network, and recently launched a simple home charging and load control pilot program for just $19 per month. Information about the charging pilot program can be found on our website at www.unitedpower.com/unitedev. Coupled with the numerous energy efficiency and member-friendly programs, your cooperative is well-positioned for the next wave of development.
Thanks to Our Cooperative Roadmap, United Power is prepared to manage into this new energy frontier. While some cooperatives are scrambling to find projects to tie to the IRA, we are already able to bring immediate benefits to our communities. Whether it is the expansion of our EV charging network, working with school districts to obtain funds for electric buses, or using coated conductors in our mountain district to reduce the potential for wildfires, United Power has plans to help these programs lauch quickly.
Our movement toward becoming a Distribution System Operator (DSO) is key to our continued success. As a DSO, United Power can take advantage of systems we have in place - such as AMI or our Outage Management System (OMS) - to share and control information, reduce the amount of power we need to buy, and better manage our system. As a market comes to the west in the next 24-36 months, we will be able to buy and sell power at lower costs and be part of an expanded footprint that can take advantage of weather and time differences.
United Power is focusing on the future of the cooperative, beginning with the finalization of a new power supplier effective May 2024. I am pleased to report that at least 34 companies are vying for our business, with many imaginative projects that will provide better economics, as well as improved carbon management. Our first priority is reliability, followed by affordability, and coupled with a lower carbon future. This aligns with the needs of our membership.
These are exciting times in the energy space, and your cooperative is ready to step into the forefront in support of our communities. If you would like me, or any member of our senior team, to speak about the cooperative’s future at any local events or meetings, please let us know. We are proud of our efforts and happy to spread the word.
We have a great tradition of being prepared for the future at United Power and I want every member to feel empowered to reach out to me and our staff at any time. I welcome the opportunity to meet you where you are, so do not hesitate to contact me or a member of our senior staff. You can submit a comment for me here.
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Early Summer Message from Mark A. Gabriel
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Wednesday | May 4, 2022
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A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
Our Cooperative Roadmap leads a list of amazing accomplishments in 2021. United Power took a different, and slightly longer, view of our actions and investments over the next decade. This was essential as we embrace the dramatic changes and tremendous opportunities taking place in the most critical infrastructure of all – electricity.
It is important to put the Roadmap in the context of our innovative history and community involvement. United Power pioneered technologies, installing the first cooperative community solar project, capturing methane gas from the Erie landfill to generate electricity, and installing the largest battery storage project in Colorado. We have expanded our electric vehicle (EV) charging network, examined how blockchain can facilitate member-to-member transactions, and partnered on a geothermal project with oil and gas operators to generate power in the field for use on site.
Our Roadmap has four priorities: empower and engage our membership and communities; provide flexible, affordable, sustainable power and services; continuously optimize our electric distribution system; and achieve and maintain business agility and resilience through information technology and operational technology (IT/OT) and system operations.
Engaging our members and communities means making programs available so you have a more active role in managing your electric bills while helping us manage the system more efficiently. What does this look like? Simply put, managing connected energy resources to avoid peaks, lower demand, and provide a benefit for all members.
We want to help our member communities grow into their vision of an ideal town or city. We want to be the power behind the spaces you call home. But with all our growth, it is important we also continue to perform well as a business. Optimizing our system promotes more efficiency, shorter outages, and better wildfire protection.
And what about your power? Should it be less expensive? Should it be generated closer to home? How can we be an active voice in the discussion about where energy is going in the next decade?
Flexibility in our power supply has many layers. First and foremost, United Power is seeking a new source for wholesale power. We can no longer live in an expensive, constrained generation environment. We must be in position to take full advantage of coming power markets. This is truly about economics – keeping dollars in our communities, lowering rates, and being able to work with members and others who want to generate more cost-effective electricity. If you want to learn more about how we are planning for these future changes, join us for our Power Supply Forum on June 7 (Details here).
Underlying all these initiatives is the need for technology that will allow us to move to the next level. We need to collect and analyze information about our system and provide automated solutions that give members control over their energy usage. Events of the past couple years have tested and confirmed our ability to deliver these solutions to people working beyond the office.
There are other utilities fighting the future and trying to keep inefficient generation on the market, failing to embrace technology, markets, and member engagement opportunities. Holding onto the past, be it business models or technologies, has never worked.
What does the future look like for United Power? Abraham Lincoln is to have said, “the best way to predict the future is to create it.” We are doing just that thanks to the tremendous support of your Board of Directors and the employees who work with phenomenal dedication every day. Bottom line: we must continue providing a robust network so that every member behind every meter has every option to engage in the way they desire.
We need to do this while ensuring high quality, high reliability, and reasonably priced power. Engagement is key, and I encourage all members to reach out to me as we execute Our Cooperative Roadmap.
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Early Winter Message from Mark A. Gabriel
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Friday | December 2, 2022
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A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
One of the newest buzz phrases in the energy industry is the “shared energy economy.” In this economy, all the resources necessary for keeping the lights on, keeping our homes and businesses running, and keeping society humming are jointly managed for the benefit of all.
The cooperative business model was founded on this very principle more than 80 years ago, with communities coming together and bringing light where there was darkness.
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), an independent nonprofit energy research, development, and deployment organization, has a fancy definition of this shared energy economy:
“Technical, business, regulatory, and policy conditions that allow customer-owned resources to supplement utility operations in providing value to consumers while also providing value to the asset owner.”
Today we have advanced technologies that are creating an energy web, linking centralized resources and member-owned resources, such as electric vehicles (EVs), solar panels, and home battery storage in new and exciting ways. The coming of a power market in the next two years will allow United Power — on your behalf — to manage a variety of electric inputs that will help lower bills and make better use of the electricity we buy.
Taking advantage of the shared energy economy is one of the many reasons we are working to find new, more forward-leaning power suppliers, as our current arrangement limits the flexibility we can provide our members and the choices that are available. We have outlined this future in Our Cooperative Roadmap that envisions a day in the not-to-distant future when we are no longer penalized for being efficient, having large scale batteries, or working with our members to serve their needs in a mutually beneficial manner.
There are more than 9,200 members with solar rooftops, 150 with batteries, and many thousands buying EVs in our service territory. Combining those with load management programs for water heating, air conditioning, and on-site generation will allow United Power to bring value and share the economic benefit of those investments.
These changes will help many of our industrial and commercial members meet their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, while also achieving Colorado’s planned reduction in emissions. It is important to recognize how the economics are driving these changes for United Power first and foremost. We can get the dual benefit of meeting goals and lowering costs.
The shared energy economy has been a cornerstone of the cooperative business model, and this continued evolution fits well into United Power’s history as an energy leader on your behalf and recognizes the future opportunities for our communities.
As always, I welcome your comments and insights, as well opportunities to meet with our members anytime. Please feel free to reach out to me or any member of our executive team with questions or concerns.
Electrical Safety During Quarantine
Monday | January 11, 2021
With more time spent at home, it’s important our members consider the electrical safety implications of the current period.
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Electricity-Dependent Medical Devices
Tuesday | February 18, 2020
United Power can’t guarantee your service won’t be interrupted by scheduled maintenance or an outage. In the event of an outage, we recommend you plan for how to respond.
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