Energy Efficiency Myths
Wednesday | March 4, 2020
As a cooperative, United Power wants its members to know how they can use their energy more efficiently and save on their bills.
Read more >
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Energy Efficiency Rebates Changing in 2022
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Friday | November 19, 2021
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Rebate changes are coming next year. United Power must receive 2021 rebate applications by December 15.
2021 Rebate Applications Must Be Received by December 15
United Power offers its members exclusive rebate opportunities on home efficiency installations and energy efficient appliances. Rebate availability and product eligibility may change slightly each year depending on a variety of factors, such as whether the rebate is renewed by Tri-State, the cooperative’s wholesale power provider. Changes to United Power’s rebates are coming at the beginning of next year, and to ensure your recent purchase qualifies for current rebate amounts, the cooperative must receive applications no later than December 15.
Applications that are received after the December deadline may be honored at the new 2022 rates, but some rebates have been discontinued for the upcoming year. Beginning in January, United Power will no longer offer rebates for EnergyStar dishwashers, electric thermal storage or new air conditioning installations. If you have purchased or plan to purchase one of these products within 120 days of the deadline, you are encouraged to submit the application as soon as possible.
The timeframe to submit applications for rebates will also be changing in 2022. Currently, members may submit a rebate application within 120 days of purchasing any qualifying item. That window will be changing to 90 days beginning in January.
Over the next few weeks, United Power will be finalizing its 2022 rebate catalog, including the potential addition of new rebate opportunities and changes to existing rebates. Members are advised to check the website frequently to ensure they have the most current and up-to-date rebate information. Click here for rebate information.
If you have questions about application deadlines, extensions or rebate expirations, call the cooperative’s energy management specialists at 303-637-1311.
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February Message from Mark A. Gabriel
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Monday | February 3, 2025
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A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
Much is being written these days about increasing electric demand in the face of declining central power stations, such as coal plants, and how the electric industry will manage this coming onslaught. People are especially concerned that data centers, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), will cause major problems for the electric grid.
United Power has been blessed with growth for nearly 20 years, and that trend is continuing. One only has to drive around our service territory to see what that growth looks like. Last summer we set a new all-time peak of nearly 650 MW, and this past December we hit nearly 500 MW, making us the largest electric distribution cooperative by load in Colorado and the third largest utility after Xcel and Colorado Springs Utilities.
We added nearly 3,300 meters in 2024 and our monthly electric load has increased consistently. More than 7,600 electric vehicles are registered in our service territory. Whether it is the coming of the new BNSF Intermodal Center in Hudson/Lochbuie, expanding existing data centers, or new residential developments, your cooperative is keeping up.
Recently, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission adopted rules that require midstream gas suppliers reduce greenhouse gasses by 20.5% as compared to a 2015 baseline by 2030. This will require electrification of the oil the gas fields — a process United Power began several years ago. We are partnering with our oil and gas members to help them meet this mandate.
Our service territory is desirable and we regularly receive inquiries from developers and large loads known as hyperscalers (i.e., data centers). These facilities require large electric loads and heavy demand around the clock. The good news is partnering with them will provide additional backup capabilities, as well as allow us to purchase more power at lower costs for all members. Our Key Accounts Advisors are handling those requests and working closely with the engineering and power supply teams to ensure we can meet their energy demands. Millions of square feet of commercial and industrial space has also been added in just the past few years, especially along our interstate corridors.
While some utilities are turning down loads and wringing their hands over the increased demand, United Power believes it is critical to support our members where they are and when they need us. In order to do this, we follow the “LIT” process that involves closely working with potential loads as soon as practical. What does “LIT” involve?
Location. Not every location is suitable to be supplied in a short period of time. Large loads that are moving into our service territory, such as data centers, are able to work with our team to locate areas where we can reasonably provide service within their timeframe.
Investment. Years ago, the United Power Board of Directors decided that “growth pays,” meaning any capital cost is born by the company or developer. This protects members from costs to add facilities — and yet helps lower other costs as we spread overhead across more members.
Timing. Advanced planning is crucial to successfully adding infrastructure and we work closely with potential new members to get ahead of critical items such as ordering transformers, preparing the ground, and making sure we have capacity to handle the new load.
We are excited about this future and will continue to support all members, large and small. Anticipating and planning for electrification is at the heart of Our Cooperative Roadmap.
As always, feel free to reach out to me personally with any questions or comments.
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February Message from Mark A. Gabriel
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Monday | January 29, 2024
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A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
We are finally nearing the end of the beginning — United Power’s journey toward operating as an independent cooperative, focusing on the growing needs of our members.
This journey began many years ago when it became apparent our power supplier was not keeping up with the times and our members were paying a disproportionately large part of the power supplier’s overhead. Additionally, we were being throttled by a rule limiting the freedom our members had to increase their share of power supply alternatives. Despite United Power’s numerous attempts to resolve these issues outside of the legal arenas, the courts and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ultimately proved the place for our relief. The freedom to make decisions based on what is best for United Power members is at the heart of this years-long effort.
A few short months before United Power officially celebrates its 85th anniversary, the cooperative will embark on the beginning of operations that take advantage of the variety of available power suppliers while also engaging members who want a more active role in their power decisions. The benefit over time will be lower costs and reduced carbon emissions, as dictated by state and federal regulations.
United Power continues to see significant growth in all sectors — residential, commercial, and industrial. We have many new businesses moving into our great communities, including high-tech battery and solar panel manufacturing, data centers, and a railroad logistics center and intermodal shipping facility. In addition, we are working cooperatively with our oil and gas members to help them electrify their operations.
Our future includes new wholesale power contracts that will stabilize costs and immediately reduce our carbon footprint, the utilization of localized battery arrays to control peak power periods, an increasing number of distributed energy resource projects with member partners, and the movement to become a distribution system operator — all while remaining responsive and nimble.
As part of this new beginning, we are buying back our substations, land, and other equipment to ensure local control and decision making. The tremendous engineers and planners at United Power will be better able to plan for growth to support our members when they need it rather than having to wait for a third party to make those planning decisions. Our power supply team has secured sufficient capacity to meet immediate needs with longer term contracts reflecting even lower costs.
The investments made by United Power — and strongly encouraged by the Board of Directors — have made us one of the top-performing utilities of any type in the country. This is reflected in engineering measurements as well as member satisfaction. United Power’s outage rate, for example, is in the top quartile in the entire nation. Local control will allow continued focus on making the right infrastructure investments at the right time.
“Here for Good” is our 85th anniversary message, reflecting our commitment to the communities we serve. We will maintain our commitment to supporting members and meeting the growing needs for electrification. Our members are making investments every day at the edge of the grid, and United Power will be there to ensure the system is strong, robust, and reliable.
Every day the women and men of United Power work to follow the plan laid out in Our Cooperative Roadmap. We always remember our efforts are there to support our members. This new beginning shows we are here for good.
As always, please feel free to reach out with your questions, comments, or concerns. I enjoy hearing from our members and commit to responding personally. Thank you for your continued support.
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February Message from Mark A. Gabriel
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Tuesday | February 1, 2022
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A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
Date: 4/29/2022
United Power filed a non-conditional Notice of Intent to Withdraw from our power supplier in compliance with a recent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ruling. This changes our previously announced Tri-State exit date of Jan. 1, 2024 to May 1, 2024.
Charles Darwin put things into perspective when he noted, “it is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change.”
The electric industry is the perfect example of creating and managing change. It brought light, heat and motive power to communities, replacing oil lamps, wood stoves and steam trollies. Electricity freed us from drudgery, allowed education to expand and made previously uninhabitable places livable. In the generations since Thomas Edison, this amazing industry has been continuously reinvented, and today we are at yet another juncture.
As United Power members and residents of communities we serve, you are taking much of your electric consumption into your own hands. Smart thermostats are taking over, solar installations continue to increase and more than 4,000 electric vehicles now ply our roads. Even refrigerators have smart technology built in. The network of intelligent electricity is expanding, and we are looking at new ways to ensure the continued strength of viability of our networks.
We continue to improve the reliability and resilience of our system, thanks in large part to the support of our Board of Directors who have allowed the staff at United Power to make investments on your behalf. From vegetation management to covered cable, we continue to improve our system.
The coming move to new power suppliers is yet another step in the ongoing change and evolution for United Power. We are seeking to provide lower cost and lower carbon power, keep dollars in our communities and embrace the changes we are seeing across the electric enterprise. At the heart of this change is a more diverse generation portfolio, taking advantage of local power supplies and managing the system in a different fashion.
I am very pleased that a number of our members have reached out with specific questions – and I take pride in personally answering each and every one. The majority of questions about our decision were affirming and positive. Others expressed specific concerns about rates during the 24-month transition period and some had worries or cautions regarding reliability, pointing to the situation in Texas this past February as well as ongoing problems in California. United Power has no planned rate increases forthcoming, and the unfortunate events in Texas highlighted the clear need for winterization of power plants and the state’s lack of interconnectivity to other states and markets. And in California, public policy has been allowed to push ahead of physics.
While members can find detailed FAQs on our decision on the Power Supply page, I can assure you the change we are making focuses on economics, reliability, environmental responsibility and critical operating decisions. Constraints on low- or no-carbon generation, for example, flies in the face of our members’ own actions, as well as the state’s mandates. Patiently waiting for power plant closures stretching decades neither yields savings for our members nor represents the change we are seeing in the electric industry.
At United Power, we are working to manage the change and continue being responsive to your needs every day. Whether it is providing information on solar energy, offering leases for EV chargers or working with developers on new energy efficient neighborhoods, we are focused on your needs today and into the future.
The staff at United Power is committed to supporting our rapidly growing membership. Please feel free to reach out to me with your questions, comments and concerns as we continue powering lives, powering change, powering the future – the Cooperative way.
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FERC ALJ Affirms Buyout Methodology Supported by United Power
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Friday | September 30, 2022
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After years of legal battles, United Power is one step closer on its path forward to buy out of its existing wholesale power contract with Tri-State.
Brighton, CO - After years of legal battles, United Power is one step closer on its path forward to buy out of its existing wholesale power contract with Tri-State Generation and Transmission (Tri-State). The methodology, defined by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Renee Terry, provides a way for all generation and transmission members to determine their cost to exit and will give United Power flexibility to move forward with its plan to leave the power supplier. The ALJ’s initial decision orders an exit fee based upon United Power’s proposed framework, and wholesale rejects Tri-State’s proposed $1.6 billion fee for United Power as excessive and unsupported. While the ALJ directed limited modifications to United Power’s proposal, the decision reaffirms United Power’s longstanding position that it should be able to leave by paying a reasonable exit fee. United Power is currently evaluating the exit options presented in the Judge’s initial decision, which is subject to further briefing and Commission review before it becomes effective.
“I must first acknowledge the FERC Administrative Law Judge for her thorough and thoughtful assessment of the voluminous amount of material as well as the various statements and arguments she reviewed to reach her decision,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “We are pleased to finally have a course for the future in our quest to lower our power costs for our members and have more control over how the power we purchase is generated.”
United Power has been battling its power generation supplier since 2019 when the cooperative asked the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to intervene in the dispute and help determine a fair and equitable buyout cost. As the case wound through the PUC process, Tri-State admitted additional non-utility members, triggering the generation cooperative to fall under FERC jurisdiction. While the PUC affirmed United Power’s buyout methodology, they deferred to FERC to determine the final opinion.
“When we first began negotiating with our power supplier for an exit cost, they had already released two other members from their contracts, using methodologies that were far different than what they had proposed for United Power,” said Gabriel. “We have been willing to pay a reasonable exit fee, but our power producer never offered a methodology that we considered to be fair or equitable.”
The power market is in a unique period of growth and change, and United Power wants to take advantage of the opportunity to diversify its generation mix where possible. A leader in renewable energy, the cooperative added Colorado’s first community solar farm in 2009 and has since added solar and methane gas generation as well as batteries to provide more than 84 megawatts of electricity to the local electric grid. The current wholesale power contract limits the cooperative to purchasing only 5% of their power through sources of this type.
“Exercising control over the cost and make up of our power generation is the future of the electric industry,” said Gabriel. “We know we can lower costs for our members and take advantage of many of the new opportunities that exist to purchase locally produced renewable resources. The electric cooperative of the future can no longer be restrained by old paradigms that only produce power from centrally located sources far from where it is consumed.”
Earlier this month, the DC Circuit ruled that FERC had final jurisdiction over setting the methodology that would be used to arrive at the final exit cost for the Brighton, Colorado based electric cooperative.
United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric cooperatives in the nation, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.###
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FERC Issues Order in Stated Rate Proceeding
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Friday | August 18, 2023
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United Power is pleased to see FERC'S thoughtful and comprehensive order in the Stated Rate proceeding.
United Power is pleased to see the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) thoughtful and comprehensive order in the Stated Rate proceeding. The cooperative looks forward to Tri-State Generation and Transmission’s (Tri-State) revised formula rate filing, also referred to as the Come-Back Filing, incorporating FERC’s clear guidance. FERC’s order directs Tri-State to unbundle the costs of services in its wholesale power service rate to its utility members, such as United Power, and to ensure that any transmission cost allocation is consistent with cost causation principles outlined in Order No. 888. FERC confirmed that Tri-State, having voluntarily become FERC jurisdictional, is bound by FERC policies and precedents and cannot claim that its membership structure allows it to impose rates or terms that are not just and reasonable.
Of note, FERC also determined that Tri-State's Board Policy 119 was unjust and unreasonable because utility members that do not participate in community solar projects should not bear more costs than those members that do participate in the community solar program. Further, FERC required Tri-State to make a compliance filing, outlining how it will reimburse United Power for overcharges related to transmission/delivery demand charges assessed on battery storage resources.
United Power looks forward to receiving the Commission’s guidance on our other related filings. Final decisions from FERC will ensure that United Power exits Tri-State by May 1, 2024, with the ability not only to purchase power from multiple new suppliers, but to develop cleaner generation that is sourced locally while keeping rates affordable and maintaining the high reliability our members expect.
Separately, United Power is pleased with the Adams County decision denying Tri-State’s request for reconsideration of the Court’s July 28th order concerning Tri-State’s motion for summary judgment (MSJ). The Court has not yet responded to Tri-State’s appeal of the Court’s MSJ. In its appeal, Tri-State argues “[t]he duty of good faith and fair dealing is not implied in a cooperative’s bylaws.” United Power continues to believe that Tri-State has a duty to treat all its members fairly and to deal with them in good faith.
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FERC Issues Order on Initial Decision
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Wednesday | December 20, 2023
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Order clarifies contract termination methodology and procedures for United Power and all members exiting from Tri-State
Brighton, CO – On Dec. 19, 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a Final Decision that affirms in part, reverses in part, modifies in part, and clarifies in part an Initial Decision issued by a FERC administrative law judge in September 2022 addressing contract termination methodology and procedures for members exiting from Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Tri-State). This is an important next step in United Power’s path to exit Tri-State by May 1, 2024.
“While we are still reviewing FERC’s order, we are pleased to see that it supports a variation of the balance sheet approach methodology we proposed versus a contract damages or lost revenues approach,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power.
In a Dec. 8 settlement with Tri-State, both utilities agreed to cooperate in good faith to provide the information necessary to calculate the amount of the contract termination payment. “To that end, we intend to work together to determine the appropriate adjustments and offsets so that Tri-State can timely file its compliance filing, and we can file an executed withdrawal agreement. United Power is focused on efforts to ensure a positive future for our members,” Gabriel added.
United Power has taken steps to resolve disputes with Tri-State and to reach areas of alignment and agreement to timely facilitate its departure. Most recently, United Power dismissed state court litigation against Tri-State, and filed motions to withdraw its appeal and intervention in two separate matters before the DC Circuit Court. In September, United Power made an immediate payment to Tri-State for Reserved Issue 3 in the Stated Rate proceeding consistent with the guidance in FERC’s final order.
FERC Rules in Favor of United Power
Friday | May 27, 2022
FERC this week issued four initial decisions as part of the rate settlement proceedings between United Power and its wholesale power supplier Tri-State.
Read more >
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Final Member Choice Grant Announcements
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Thursday | November 5, 2020
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United Power is proud to announce the two nonprofits receiving $1,000 Member Choice Grants for the third and final round of presentations.
Member Choice Grants, introduced earlier this year, allowed United Power to provide support for causes and organizations members care about. We asked our members to nominate nonprofits in the co-op service territory they would like to see us support through three rounds of grant presentations in 2020. During this difficult year, our members recognized the needs of others and focused on organizations that met essential needs, such as food insecurity, mental health and positive recreation.
United Power is proud to announce the two nonprofits receiving $1,000 Member Choice Grants for the third and final round of presentations.
Pastor’s Pantry
Pastor’s Pantry, operating out of Whispering Pines Church, was founded in 2001 as a resource for anyone in need in Coal Creek Canyon. It provides both food and essential items, and is open every Thursday from 3 - 5 p.m. or by appointment.
Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center
CTRC offers more than a dozen equine-assisted classes for individuals with a broad range of behavioral, emotional and physical disabilities, and helps more than 500 riders each year. CTRC is currently celebrating its annual fundraiser, Paint the Pony.
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For Safety, Leave Space Around Transformers
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Thursday | July 29, 2021
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United Power crews also need safe access for repairs and maintenance. Barriers, such as landscaping and fencing, should be kept clear of electrical equipment.
Pad-mounted transformers, those big green utility boxes commonly seen around town, serve the purpose of lowering high voltage to standard household voltage used to power electronics, appliances and lighting. These transformers are not protected in the way overhead lines and substations are. Though they may appear safe to use as workbenches and climbing obstacles, electrical equipment can still pose a risk to anyone who may come in contact with them. Members should always use caution and keep a safe distance.
United Power crews also need safe access for repairs and maintenance. Barriers, such as landscaping and fencing, should be kept clear of electrical equipment. While it may be tempting to “camouflage” transformers with landscaping, please remember cooperative crews need at least 10-feet of clearance at the opening of a pad-mounted transformer and four-feet at the rear and sides of the housing. The distance allows crews to safely use tools required for working with energized equipment. It also ensures crews have the ability to move about safely should problems arise.
In many newer subdivisions and residential developments pad-mounted transformers are more common – and in many cases are located on consumer property. These transformers are connected to primary high voltage lines, and secondary lines can extend from the transform in several directions underground. Remember this before planting shrubs or trees, setting fence posts, installing sprinkler systems or digging anywhere near a transformer. And remember, you should always dial 811 before you dig to ensure lines are located so your project doesn’t disrupt utility service, cause serious injury or worse.
Energy Efficiency Myths
Wednesday | March 4, 2020
As a cooperative, United Power wants its members to know how they can use their energy more efficiently and save on their bills.
Read more >
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Energy Efficiency Rebates Changing in 2022
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Friday | November 19, 2021
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Rebate changes are coming next year. United Power must receive 2021 rebate applications by December 15.
2021 Rebate Applications Must Be Received by December 15
United Power offers its members exclusive rebate opportunities on home efficiency installations and energy efficient appliances. Rebate availability and product eligibility may change slightly each year depending on a variety of factors, such as whether the rebate is renewed by Tri-State, the cooperative’s wholesale power provider. Changes to United Power’s rebates are coming at the beginning of next year, and to ensure your recent purchase qualifies for current rebate amounts, the cooperative must receive applications no later than December 15.
Applications that are received after the December deadline may be honored at the new 2022 rates, but some rebates have been discontinued for the upcoming year. Beginning in January, United Power will no longer offer rebates for EnergyStar dishwashers, electric thermal storage or new air conditioning installations. If you have purchased or plan to purchase one of these products within 120 days of the deadline, you are encouraged to submit the application as soon as possible.
The timeframe to submit applications for rebates will also be changing in 2022. Currently, members may submit a rebate application within 120 days of purchasing any qualifying item. That window will be changing to 90 days beginning in January.
Over the next few weeks, United Power will be finalizing its 2022 rebate catalog, including the potential addition of new rebate opportunities and changes to existing rebates. Members are advised to check the website frequently to ensure they have the most current and up-to-date rebate information. Click here for rebate information.
If you have questions about application deadlines, extensions or rebate expirations, call the cooperative’s energy management specialists at 303-637-1311.
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February Message from Mark A. Gabriel
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Monday | February 3, 2025
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A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
Much is being written these days about increasing electric demand in the face of declining central power stations, such as coal plants, and how the electric industry will manage this coming onslaught. People are especially concerned that data centers, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), will cause major problems for the electric grid.
United Power has been blessed with growth for nearly 20 years, and that trend is continuing. One only has to drive around our service territory to see what that growth looks like. Last summer we set a new all-time peak of nearly 650 MW, and this past December we hit nearly 500 MW, making us the largest electric distribution cooperative by load in Colorado and the third largest utility after Xcel and Colorado Springs Utilities.
We added nearly 3,300 meters in 2024 and our monthly electric load has increased consistently. More than 7,600 electric vehicles are registered in our service territory. Whether it is the coming of the new BNSF Intermodal Center in Hudson/Lochbuie, expanding existing data centers, or new residential developments, your cooperative is keeping up.
Recently, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission adopted rules that require midstream gas suppliers reduce greenhouse gasses by 20.5% as compared to a 2015 baseline by 2030. This will require electrification of the oil the gas fields — a process United Power began several years ago. We are partnering with our oil and gas members to help them meet this mandate.
Our service territory is desirable and we regularly receive inquiries from developers and large loads known as hyperscalers (i.e., data centers). These facilities require large electric loads and heavy demand around the clock. The good news is partnering with them will provide additional backup capabilities, as well as allow us to purchase more power at lower costs for all members. Our Key Accounts Advisors are handling those requests and working closely with the engineering and power supply teams to ensure we can meet their energy demands. Millions of square feet of commercial and industrial space has also been added in just the past few years, especially along our interstate corridors.
While some utilities are turning down loads and wringing their hands over the increased demand, United Power believes it is critical to support our members where they are and when they need us. In order to do this, we follow the “LIT” process that involves closely working with potential loads as soon as practical. What does “LIT” involve?
Location. Not every location is suitable to be supplied in a short period of time. Large loads that are moving into our service territory, such as data centers, are able to work with our team to locate areas where we can reasonably provide service within their timeframe.
Investment. Years ago, the United Power Board of Directors decided that “growth pays,” meaning any capital cost is born by the company or developer. This protects members from costs to add facilities — and yet helps lower other costs as we spread overhead across more members.
Timing. Advanced planning is crucial to successfully adding infrastructure and we work closely with potential new members to get ahead of critical items such as ordering transformers, preparing the ground, and making sure we have capacity to handle the new load.
We are excited about this future and will continue to support all members, large and small. Anticipating and planning for electrification is at the heart of Our Cooperative Roadmap.
As always, feel free to reach out to me personally with any questions or comments.
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February Message from Mark A. Gabriel
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Monday | January 29, 2024
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A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
We are finally nearing the end of the beginning — United Power’s journey toward operating as an independent cooperative, focusing on the growing needs of our members.
This journey began many years ago when it became apparent our power supplier was not keeping up with the times and our members were paying a disproportionately large part of the power supplier’s overhead. Additionally, we were being throttled by a rule limiting the freedom our members had to increase their share of power supply alternatives. Despite United Power’s numerous attempts to resolve these issues outside of the legal arenas, the courts and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ultimately proved the place for our relief. The freedom to make decisions based on what is best for United Power members is at the heart of this years-long effort.
A few short months before United Power officially celebrates its 85th anniversary, the cooperative will embark on the beginning of operations that take advantage of the variety of available power suppliers while also engaging members who want a more active role in their power decisions. The benefit over time will be lower costs and reduced carbon emissions, as dictated by state and federal regulations.
United Power continues to see significant growth in all sectors — residential, commercial, and industrial. We have many new businesses moving into our great communities, including high-tech battery and solar panel manufacturing, data centers, and a railroad logistics center and intermodal shipping facility. In addition, we are working cooperatively with our oil and gas members to help them electrify their operations.
Our future includes new wholesale power contracts that will stabilize costs and immediately reduce our carbon footprint, the utilization of localized battery arrays to control peak power periods, an increasing number of distributed energy resource projects with member partners, and the movement to become a distribution system operator — all while remaining responsive and nimble.
As part of this new beginning, we are buying back our substations, land, and other equipment to ensure local control and decision making. The tremendous engineers and planners at United Power will be better able to plan for growth to support our members when they need it rather than having to wait for a third party to make those planning decisions. Our power supply team has secured sufficient capacity to meet immediate needs with longer term contracts reflecting even lower costs.
The investments made by United Power — and strongly encouraged by the Board of Directors — have made us one of the top-performing utilities of any type in the country. This is reflected in engineering measurements as well as member satisfaction. United Power’s outage rate, for example, is in the top quartile in the entire nation. Local control will allow continued focus on making the right infrastructure investments at the right time.
“Here for Good” is our 85th anniversary message, reflecting our commitment to the communities we serve. We will maintain our commitment to supporting members and meeting the growing needs for electrification. Our members are making investments every day at the edge of the grid, and United Power will be there to ensure the system is strong, robust, and reliable.
Every day the women and men of United Power work to follow the plan laid out in Our Cooperative Roadmap. We always remember our efforts are there to support our members. This new beginning shows we are here for good.
As always, please feel free to reach out with your questions, comments, or concerns. I enjoy hearing from our members and commit to responding personally. Thank you for your continued support.
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February Message from Mark A. Gabriel
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Tuesday | February 1, 2022
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A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
Date: 4/29/2022
United Power filed a non-conditional Notice of Intent to Withdraw from our power supplier in compliance with a recent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ruling. This changes our previously announced Tri-State exit date of Jan. 1, 2024 to May 1, 2024.
Charles Darwin put things into perspective when he noted, “it is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change.”
The electric industry is the perfect example of creating and managing change. It brought light, heat and motive power to communities, replacing oil lamps, wood stoves and steam trollies. Electricity freed us from drudgery, allowed education to expand and made previously uninhabitable places livable. In the generations since Thomas Edison, this amazing industry has been continuously reinvented, and today we are at yet another juncture.
As United Power members and residents of communities we serve, you are taking much of your electric consumption into your own hands. Smart thermostats are taking over, solar installations continue to increase and more than 4,000 electric vehicles now ply our roads. Even refrigerators have smart technology built in. The network of intelligent electricity is expanding, and we are looking at new ways to ensure the continued strength of viability of our networks.
We continue to improve the reliability and resilience of our system, thanks in large part to the support of our Board of Directors who have allowed the staff at United Power to make investments on your behalf. From vegetation management to covered cable, we continue to improve our system.
The coming move to new power suppliers is yet another step in the ongoing change and evolution for United Power. We are seeking to provide lower cost and lower carbon power, keep dollars in our communities and embrace the changes we are seeing across the electric enterprise. At the heart of this change is a more diverse generation portfolio, taking advantage of local power supplies and managing the system in a different fashion.
I am very pleased that a number of our members have reached out with specific questions – and I take pride in personally answering each and every one. The majority of questions about our decision were affirming and positive. Others expressed specific concerns about rates during the 24-month transition period and some had worries or cautions regarding reliability, pointing to the situation in Texas this past February as well as ongoing problems in California. United Power has no planned rate increases forthcoming, and the unfortunate events in Texas highlighted the clear need for winterization of power plants and the state’s lack of interconnectivity to other states and markets. And in California, public policy has been allowed to push ahead of physics.
While members can find detailed FAQs on our decision on the Power Supply page, I can assure you the change we are making focuses on economics, reliability, environmental responsibility and critical operating decisions. Constraints on low- or no-carbon generation, for example, flies in the face of our members’ own actions, as well as the state’s mandates. Patiently waiting for power plant closures stretching decades neither yields savings for our members nor represents the change we are seeing in the electric industry.
At United Power, we are working to manage the change and continue being responsive to your needs every day. Whether it is providing information on solar energy, offering leases for EV chargers or working with developers on new energy efficient neighborhoods, we are focused on your needs today and into the future.
The staff at United Power is committed to supporting our rapidly growing membership. Please feel free to reach out to me with your questions, comments and concerns as we continue powering lives, powering change, powering the future – the Cooperative way.
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FERC ALJ Affirms Buyout Methodology Supported by United Power
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Friday | September 30, 2022
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After years of legal battles, United Power is one step closer on its path forward to buy out of its existing wholesale power contract with Tri-State.
Brighton, CO - After years of legal battles, United Power is one step closer on its path forward to buy out of its existing wholesale power contract with Tri-State Generation and Transmission (Tri-State). The methodology, defined by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Renee Terry, provides a way for all generation and transmission members to determine their cost to exit and will give United Power flexibility to move forward with its plan to leave the power supplier. The ALJ’s initial decision orders an exit fee based upon United Power’s proposed framework, and wholesale rejects Tri-State’s proposed $1.6 billion fee for United Power as excessive and unsupported. While the ALJ directed limited modifications to United Power’s proposal, the decision reaffirms United Power’s longstanding position that it should be able to leave by paying a reasonable exit fee. United Power is currently evaluating the exit options presented in the Judge’s initial decision, which is subject to further briefing and Commission review before it becomes effective.
“I must first acknowledge the FERC Administrative Law Judge for her thorough and thoughtful assessment of the voluminous amount of material as well as the various statements and arguments she reviewed to reach her decision,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “We are pleased to finally have a course for the future in our quest to lower our power costs for our members and have more control over how the power we purchase is generated.”
United Power has been battling its power generation supplier since 2019 when the cooperative asked the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to intervene in the dispute and help determine a fair and equitable buyout cost. As the case wound through the PUC process, Tri-State admitted additional non-utility members, triggering the generation cooperative to fall under FERC jurisdiction. While the PUC affirmed United Power’s buyout methodology, they deferred to FERC to determine the final opinion.
“When we first began negotiating with our power supplier for an exit cost, they had already released two other members from their contracts, using methodologies that were far different than what they had proposed for United Power,” said Gabriel. “We have been willing to pay a reasonable exit fee, but our power producer never offered a methodology that we considered to be fair or equitable.”
The power market is in a unique period of growth and change, and United Power wants to take advantage of the opportunity to diversify its generation mix where possible. A leader in renewable energy, the cooperative added Colorado’s first community solar farm in 2009 and has since added solar and methane gas generation as well as batteries to provide more than 84 megawatts of electricity to the local electric grid. The current wholesale power contract limits the cooperative to purchasing only 5% of their power through sources of this type.
“Exercising control over the cost and make up of our power generation is the future of the electric industry,” said Gabriel. “We know we can lower costs for our members and take advantage of many of the new opportunities that exist to purchase locally produced renewable resources. The electric cooperative of the future can no longer be restrained by old paradigms that only produce power from centrally located sources far from where it is consumed.”
Earlier this month, the DC Circuit ruled that FERC had final jurisdiction over setting the methodology that would be used to arrive at the final exit cost for the Brighton, Colorado based electric cooperative.
United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric cooperatives in the nation, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.###
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FERC Issues Order in Stated Rate Proceeding
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Friday | August 18, 2023
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United Power is pleased to see FERC'S thoughtful and comprehensive order in the Stated Rate proceeding.
United Power is pleased to see the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) thoughtful and comprehensive order in the Stated Rate proceeding. The cooperative looks forward to Tri-State Generation and Transmission’s (Tri-State) revised formula rate filing, also referred to as the Come-Back Filing, incorporating FERC’s clear guidance. FERC’s order directs Tri-State to unbundle the costs of services in its wholesale power service rate to its utility members, such as United Power, and to ensure that any transmission cost allocation is consistent with cost causation principles outlined in Order No. 888. FERC confirmed that Tri-State, having voluntarily become FERC jurisdictional, is bound by FERC policies and precedents and cannot claim that its membership structure allows it to impose rates or terms that are not just and reasonable.
Of note, FERC also determined that Tri-State's Board Policy 119 was unjust and unreasonable because utility members that do not participate in community solar projects should not bear more costs than those members that do participate in the community solar program. Further, FERC required Tri-State to make a compliance filing, outlining how it will reimburse United Power for overcharges related to transmission/delivery demand charges assessed on battery storage resources.
United Power looks forward to receiving the Commission’s guidance on our other related filings. Final decisions from FERC will ensure that United Power exits Tri-State by May 1, 2024, with the ability not only to purchase power from multiple new suppliers, but to develop cleaner generation that is sourced locally while keeping rates affordable and maintaining the high reliability our members expect.
Separately, United Power is pleased with the Adams County decision denying Tri-State’s request for reconsideration of the Court’s July 28th order concerning Tri-State’s motion for summary judgment (MSJ). The Court has not yet responded to Tri-State’s appeal of the Court’s MSJ. In its appeal, Tri-State argues “[t]he duty of good faith and fair dealing is not implied in a cooperative’s bylaws.” United Power continues to believe that Tri-State has a duty to treat all its members fairly and to deal with them in good faith.
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FERC Issues Order on Initial Decision
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Wednesday | December 20, 2023
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Order clarifies contract termination methodology and procedures for United Power and all members exiting from Tri-State
Brighton, CO – On Dec. 19, 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a Final Decision that affirms in part, reverses in part, modifies in part, and clarifies in part an Initial Decision issued by a FERC administrative law judge in September 2022 addressing contract termination methodology and procedures for members exiting from Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Tri-State). This is an important next step in United Power’s path to exit Tri-State by May 1, 2024.
“While we are still reviewing FERC’s order, we are pleased to see that it supports a variation of the balance sheet approach methodology we proposed versus a contract damages or lost revenues approach,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power.
In a Dec. 8 settlement with Tri-State, both utilities agreed to cooperate in good faith to provide the information necessary to calculate the amount of the contract termination payment. “To that end, we intend to work together to determine the appropriate adjustments and offsets so that Tri-State can timely file its compliance filing, and we can file an executed withdrawal agreement. United Power is focused on efforts to ensure a positive future for our members,” Gabriel added.
United Power has taken steps to resolve disputes with Tri-State and to reach areas of alignment and agreement to timely facilitate its departure. Most recently, United Power dismissed state court litigation against Tri-State, and filed motions to withdraw its appeal and intervention in two separate matters before the DC Circuit Court. In September, United Power made an immediate payment to Tri-State for Reserved Issue 3 in the Stated Rate proceeding consistent with the guidance in FERC’s final order.
FERC Rules in Favor of United Power
Friday | May 27, 2022
FERC this week issued four initial decisions as part of the rate settlement proceedings between United Power and its wholesale power supplier Tri-State.
Read more >
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Final Member Choice Grant Announcements
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Thursday | November 5, 2020
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United Power is proud to announce the two nonprofits receiving $1,000 Member Choice Grants for the third and final round of presentations.
Member Choice Grants, introduced earlier this year, allowed United Power to provide support for causes and organizations members care about. We asked our members to nominate nonprofits in the co-op service territory they would like to see us support through three rounds of grant presentations in 2020. During this difficult year, our members recognized the needs of others and focused on organizations that met essential needs, such as food insecurity, mental health and positive recreation.
United Power is proud to announce the two nonprofits receiving $1,000 Member Choice Grants for the third and final round of presentations.
Pastor’s Pantry
Pastor’s Pantry, operating out of Whispering Pines Church, was founded in 2001 as a resource for anyone in need in Coal Creek Canyon. It provides both food and essential items, and is open every Thursday from 3 - 5 p.m. or by appointment.
Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center
CTRC offers more than a dozen equine-assisted classes for individuals with a broad range of behavioral, emotional and physical disabilities, and helps more than 500 riders each year. CTRC is currently celebrating its annual fundraiser, Paint the Pony.
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For Safety, Leave Space Around Transformers
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Thursday | July 29, 2021
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United Power crews also need safe access for repairs and maintenance. Barriers, such as landscaping and fencing, should be kept clear of electrical equipment.
Pad-mounted transformers, those big green utility boxes commonly seen around town, serve the purpose of lowering high voltage to standard household voltage used to power electronics, appliances and lighting. These transformers are not protected in the way overhead lines and substations are. Though they may appear safe to use as workbenches and climbing obstacles, electrical equipment can still pose a risk to anyone who may come in contact with them. Members should always use caution and keep a safe distance.
United Power crews also need safe access for repairs and maintenance. Barriers, such as landscaping and fencing, should be kept clear of electrical equipment. While it may be tempting to “camouflage” transformers with landscaping, please remember cooperative crews need at least 10-feet of clearance at the opening of a pad-mounted transformer and four-feet at the rear and sides of the housing. The distance allows crews to safely use tools required for working with energized equipment. It also ensures crews have the ability to move about safely should problems arise.
In many newer subdivisions and residential developments pad-mounted transformers are more common – and in many cases are located on consumer property. These transformers are connected to primary high voltage lines, and secondary lines can extend from the transform in several directions underground. Remember this before planting shrubs or trees, setting fence posts, installing sprinkler systems or digging anywhere near a transformer. And remember, you should always dial 811 before you dig to ensure lines are located so your project doesn’t disrupt utility service, cause serious injury or worse.
