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United Power Announces Mark Gabriel as CEO
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Thursday | February 18, 2021
Card Teaser
United Power’s Board of Directors has named Mark A. Gabriel as President and Chief Executive Officer of the organization effective March 15, 2021.
Brighton, Colo. – After a nationwide search, United Power’s Board of Directors has named Mark A. Gabriel as President and Chief Executive Officer of the organization effective March 15, 2021.
Gabriel, a 25-year veteran in the electric utility business, has served for the past eight years as the Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), which is part of the Department of Energy.
“United Power’s Board of Directors is very happy to announce we have selected Mark Gabriel as our new President and CEO,” stated Ursula Morgan, United Power Board Chair. “Mark Gabriel is the right choice to guide United Power into a more successful future. He will help create a lasting impact on our members."
“I am extremely honored to have been selected to lead such an amazing organization as we approach a transformational time in the electricity business,” Gabriel said. “United Power is uniquely positioned to be engaged in the decarbonization of the grid, and to take advantage of the introduction of new technologies as we move to a cleaner energy future.”
Prior to his appointment at WAPA, Gabriel served in numerous positions in the industry, including more than eight years as a management consultant and Acting President at the Electric Power Research Institute where he led the nationwide effort known as the Electricity Sector Framework for the Future. He is also the author of, “Visions for a Sustainable Energy Future”, which won the Indie Award for Environmental Writing.
“United Power has a rich history of innovation and is serving one of Colorado’s, and the Nation’s, fastest growing service territories,” Gabriel said. “The power of the cooperative business model to embrace change is unmatched in its ability to engage with its members for the future.”
Gabriel replaces Acting CEO, Bryant Robbins. Robbins is the Chief Operating Officer and has been filling both roles for the past year.
“The Board is appreciative of Robbins’ leadership and guidance this past year, helping us meet the many challenges of our fast-growing cooperative,” added Morgan.
United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to more than 97,000 meters at homes, farms and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. 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. At the end of 2020, the cooperative reached more than 97,000 meters representing more than 300,000 members. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media at facebook.com/unitedpower or twitter.com/unitedpowercoop. ###
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United Power Announces New CEO
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Thursday | July 27, 2017
Card Teaser
United Power Board President James Vigesaa officially announced the promotion of John Parker to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the cooperative.
United Power Board President James Vigesaa officially announced the promotion of John Parker to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the cooperative. Parker has served as United Power’s Chief Financial Officer since 2006, and has been serving as interim CEO since the resignation of Darryl Schriver on June 8, 2017.
“On behalf of the entire United Power board, we are pleased to announce the promotion of John Parker to CEO,” stated Vigesaa. “John’s many years of service to United Power, coupled with his extensive experience in the cooperative industry is a great leadership match for this utility.”
Parker’s cooperative experience extends back to 1983, and includes experience at Matanuska Electric in Alaska, Cap Rock Electric Cooperative in Texas, and Columbia REA in Washington. Parker earned a Bachelor degree in Business with a concentration in Public Accounting Finance from Gonzaga University. Active in the community, he serves as a director on the Community Reach Foundation and is a member of the Brighton Rotary Club.
“I am honored to be selected for this important leadership position, and I am excited to lead our extraordinary team of employees into the future,” stated Parker. “United Power is a well situated cooperative in terms of growth and finances, and I look forward to helping the cooperative move forward with the many innovative projects under development.”
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United Power Announces Plans to Purchase Facility in Western Territory
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Tuesday | April 18, 2017
Card Teaser
United Power is in the process of closing a deal to purchase a 130,000 square foot facility located on the west side of the cooperative’s service territory.
United Power is in the process of closing a deal to purchase a 130,000 square foot facility located on the west side of the cooperative’s service territory. CEO Darryl Schriver made the announcement at the cooperative’s Annual Meeting at the Adams County Fairgrounds. The new facility is located on the east side of I-25, just south of Highway 119.
“The purchase of this building is a great step toward meeting some of United Power’s strategic goals,” stated United Power CEO, Darryl Schriver. “As the territory becomes more populated, our ability to respond quickly and efficiently to our members is vital. This west office will allow us to dispatch trucks and personnel to the west and north sides of our territory quickly without the substantial drive time from the headquarters in Brighton.”
The final closing is planned for next week. The new facility will help the cooperative free up space in the Brighton headquarters to have more room for training and storage. Plans are also in place to lease part of the facility back to United Power’s primary contractor, Ward Electric. Ward Electric recently added United Power logos to their trucks to help members quickly identify cooperative contractors in the field.
“This facility is a win for the cooperative, for Ward Electric and for our members,” stated Schriver. “We’ve been able to negotiate a great financial deal on this purchase, in part because the seller appreciated the cooperative’s profile in the community and sees us a valuable resource. Now we’ll be able to better support the rapidly growing areas in our territory by having trucks and staff that can respond from both sides of our plains territory.”
United Power is also in negotiations to acquire an adjacent plot of undeveloped land. The additional property would allow for the addition of on-site material storage and expanded parking. The cooperative will be communicating updates about the new facility and how it will be used via the member newsletter United Newsline and on the website.
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United Power Announces Request for Proposals for Next Round of Planned Power Needs
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Monday | June 26, 2023
Brighton, Colo. – United Power, one of the nation’s fastest growing electric distribution cooperatives, issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on June 23 for additional wholesale electric power products. The RFP seeks projects of up to 300 MW to supplement the general wholesale power contracts the cooperative has already secured in advance of its exit from its current power supplier next May. Resources sought through this RFP are targeted for deployment and/or purchase in 2025-29.
“This newest RFP continues our commitment to building a comprehensive power supply, not just for when we exit, but as we grow into the future,” stated Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “We are very interested in not only purchasing power, but in developing new, cleaner generation that is sourced locally. This will help to assure we continue to provide the reliability our members expect, while keeping costs as low as possible.”
Open to both new and existing resources, the RFP is soliciting power sources that will help the cooperative meet longer term environmental goals as well as the expected system growth. Additionally, the RFP seeks strategic partnerships with developers who can plan and execute distributed energy resources on United Power’s local distribution system.
United Power serves nearly 110,000 meters and maintains and operates over 6,500 miles of distribution line. The 900-square mile service territory wraps around the north and west borders of the Denver International Airport and includes the north metropolitan development corridors along Interstate 25, Interstate 76, State Highway 85, and E-470. As a result of its geographic location, United Power’s system is experiencing significant demand and energy growth, averaging approximately 6% annually.
United Power has contracted with The Energy Authority (TEA), a national energy marketing and risk management services provider, to issue the RFP and administer the RFP process. Commitments of intent to participate in the RFP are due by July 10. Respondents must submit proposals via TEA’s RFP Marketplace (rfpmarketplace.teainc.org) by July 24.
Questions about the RFP or RFP process may be directed to UPIRFP@teainc.org.
About United PowerUnited 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 co-ops 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, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.###
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United Power Announces Robbins as Acting CEO
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Thursday | February 27, 2020
Card Teaser
CEO John Parker Retiring
United Power Board Chair, James Vigesaa, announced at an all-employee meeting yesterday, that CEO John Parker is on a medical leave transitioning into retirement. Chief Operating Officer, Bryant Robbins, has been named as Acting CEO, effective immediately. Robbins joined United Power in January 2003 as the Mountain District Manager, before his promotion in January 2017 to Chief Operating Officer.
“With Bryant, we are confident that we have selected a leader who can continue to meet the many challenges of our fast-growing cooperative,” stated Vigesaa. “Not only does Bryant have many years of experience at United Power, a record of success in building teams and leading successful change initiatives, he also served United Power as Acting CEO in 2019 during a previous medical leave.”
Parker joined United Power in 2006 as the CFO and was promoted to CEO in June of 2017.
“As CEO, John successfully led the cooperative on several key initiatives these past two and a half years, and has positioned United Power well to move on to future,” stated Vigesaa. “On behalf of the entire United Power Board, we wish John enjoyment in his retirement and thank him for his contributions.”
Bryant Robbins
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United Power Awarded $700,000 Grant to Support Rural Emergency Services
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Tuesday | July 16, 2024
Card Teaser
A United Power sponsored project was selected to receive a grant from the more than $2 million awarded through the Microgrids for Community Resilience Grant Program.
Brighton, CO –- A project sponsored by United Power was among those selected by Colorado’s Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to receive a grant from the more than $2 million awarded through the Microgrids for Community Resilience Grant Program. The program, established by House Bill 22-1013, is designed to enhance community resilience during electric grid disruptions through the development of microgrids. United Power was awarded $700,696 to offset the cost of microgrid systems to support rural emergency services in the cooperative’s territory.
United Power’s project represents one of the initial projects funded since the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) formally awarded the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) and DOLA $17.2 million for the first two years of a five-year funding program. Grant funds will be used to support the study of the potential role of microgrids in advancing state energy goals, such as increasing the resiliency and reliability of the electric grid; reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and supporting the state’s transition to clean energy and beneficial electrification.
“This project, developed in coordination with four of our local fire departments, is a win for the first responders and the communities they serve,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “The battery systems we have proposed will allow these fire stations to operate uninterrupted in the event of a power outage, so they can provide critical services to our members during an emergency. Cooperatives, which are governed locally, are ideally situated to test and deploy local energy solutions.”
The $700,696 award will offset the cost of microgrid systems, placing batteries at four facilities in the United Power service territory: Blue Mountain Fire Station #3 (Coal Creek Canyon); Frederick Firestone Fire Protection District Station #4 (Del Camino); Hudson Fire Protection District Station #3 (Lochbuie); and Mountain View Fire Rescue Station #7 (Dacono).
“This partnership with the communities we serve is at the heart of what makes the cooperative business model unique,” said Trista L. Fugate, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “We worked with each community to develop a solution that would meet their most critical needs. It is just one of the many ways United Power is working to make sure the safety and best interests of every member is met.”
“We are honored and pleased to continue our collaborative efforts with United Power to bring resiliency within our emergency services network and into the community power grid enhancing the quality of life for residents and businesses alike,” said Fire Chief Jeremy A. Young, Frederick-Firestone Fire District. “We are fortunate to have partners such as United Power that remain diligent behind the scenes to ensure essential services remain a collaborative effort for all those we serve.”
The batteries will ensure these critical response facilities continue to operate should a widespread outage occur in the area. During non-emergency conditions, the batteries will provide additional benefits to cooperative members as a load balancing tool. They will also reduce the need to activate fossil fuel backup generation during outages.
“Hudson Fire Protection District is honored to have been selected as an award recipient for the Microgrids for Community Resilience Grant Program,” said Alan Anderson, Assistant Chief. “This initiative is a significant step forward in our commitment to ensuring uninterrupted service and safety for our community, particularly in times of crisis. We are grateful to the Colorado Energy Office and the visionaries behind House Bill 22-1013 for their support and investment in grid reliability and resiliency. We also sincerely thank United Power for their work and for facilitating the grant process. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient future for our community.”
The project complements United Power’s ongoing efforts to build a more resilient and responsive local grid that incorporates a variety of local generation resources, while allowing for local balancing of system demand. To learn more about United Power’s industry leading energy transition, check out the guiding principles of Our Cooperative Roadmap.
About United PowerUnited 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 co-ops in the nation, serving more than 112,000 meters. Its 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, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.###
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United Power Announces Mark Gabriel as CEO
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Thursday | February 18, 2021
Card Teaser
United Power’s Board of Directors has named Mark A. Gabriel as President and Chief Executive Officer of the organization effective March 15, 2021.
Brighton, Colo. – After a nationwide search, United Power’s Board of Directors has named Mark A. Gabriel as President and Chief Executive Officer of the organization effective March 15, 2021.
Gabriel, a 25-year veteran in the electric utility business, has served for the past eight years as the Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), which is part of the Department of Energy.
“United Power’s Board of Directors is very happy to announce we have selected Mark Gabriel as our new President and CEO,” stated Ursula Morgan, United Power Board Chair. “Mark Gabriel is the right choice to guide United Power into a more successful future. He will help create a lasting impact on our members."
“I am extremely honored to have been selected to lead such an amazing organization as we approach a transformational time in the electricity business,” Gabriel said. “United Power is uniquely positioned to be engaged in the decarbonization of the grid, and to take advantage of the introduction of new technologies as we move to a cleaner energy future.”
Prior to his appointment at WAPA, Gabriel served in numerous positions in the industry, including more than eight years as a management consultant and Acting President at the Electric Power Research Institute where he led the nationwide effort known as the Electricity Sector Framework for the Future. He is also the author of, “Visions for a Sustainable Energy Future”, which won the Indie Award for Environmental Writing.
“United Power has a rich history of innovation and is serving one of Colorado’s, and the Nation’s, fastest growing service territories,” Gabriel said. “The power of the cooperative business model to embrace change is unmatched in its ability to engage with its members for the future.”
Gabriel replaces Acting CEO, Bryant Robbins. Robbins is the Chief Operating Officer and has been filling both roles for the past year.
“The Board is appreciative of Robbins’ leadership and guidance this past year, helping us meet the many challenges of our fast-growing cooperative,” added Morgan.
United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to more than 97,000 meters at homes, farms and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. 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. At the end of 2020, the cooperative reached more than 97,000 meters representing more than 300,000 members. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media at facebook.com/unitedpower or twitter.com/unitedpowercoop. ###
Title
United Power Announces New CEO
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Thursday | July 27, 2017
Card Teaser
United Power Board President James Vigesaa officially announced the promotion of John Parker to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the cooperative.
United Power Board President James Vigesaa officially announced the promotion of John Parker to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the cooperative. Parker has served as United Power’s Chief Financial Officer since 2006, and has been serving as interim CEO since the resignation of Darryl Schriver on June 8, 2017.
“On behalf of the entire United Power board, we are pleased to announce the promotion of John Parker to CEO,” stated Vigesaa. “John’s many years of service to United Power, coupled with his extensive experience in the cooperative industry is a great leadership match for this utility.”
Parker’s cooperative experience extends back to 1983, and includes experience at Matanuska Electric in Alaska, Cap Rock Electric Cooperative in Texas, and Columbia REA in Washington. Parker earned a Bachelor degree in Business with a concentration in Public Accounting Finance from Gonzaga University. Active in the community, he serves as a director on the Community Reach Foundation and is a member of the Brighton Rotary Club.
“I am honored to be selected for this important leadership position, and I am excited to lead our extraordinary team of employees into the future,” stated Parker. “United Power is a well situated cooperative in terms of growth and finances, and I look forward to helping the cooperative move forward with the many innovative projects under development.”
Title
United Power Announces Plans to Purchase Facility in Western Territory
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Tuesday | April 18, 2017
Card Teaser
United Power is in the process of closing a deal to purchase a 130,000 square foot facility located on the west side of the cooperative’s service territory.
United Power is in the process of closing a deal to purchase a 130,000 square foot facility located on the west side of the cooperative’s service territory. CEO Darryl Schriver made the announcement at the cooperative’s Annual Meeting at the Adams County Fairgrounds. The new facility is located on the east side of I-25, just south of Highway 119.
“The purchase of this building is a great step toward meeting some of United Power’s strategic goals,” stated United Power CEO, Darryl Schriver. “As the territory becomes more populated, our ability to respond quickly and efficiently to our members is vital. This west office will allow us to dispatch trucks and personnel to the west and north sides of our territory quickly without the substantial drive time from the headquarters in Brighton.”
The final closing is planned for next week. The new facility will help the cooperative free up space in the Brighton headquarters to have more room for training and storage. Plans are also in place to lease part of the facility back to United Power’s primary contractor, Ward Electric. Ward Electric recently added United Power logos to their trucks to help members quickly identify cooperative contractors in the field.
“This facility is a win for the cooperative, for Ward Electric and for our members,” stated Schriver. “We’ve been able to negotiate a great financial deal on this purchase, in part because the seller appreciated the cooperative’s profile in the community and sees us a valuable resource. Now we’ll be able to better support the rapidly growing areas in our territory by having trucks and staff that can respond from both sides of our plains territory.”
United Power is also in negotiations to acquire an adjacent plot of undeveloped land. The additional property would allow for the addition of on-site material storage and expanded parking. The cooperative will be communicating updates about the new facility and how it will be used via the member newsletter United Newsline and on the website.
Title
United Power Announces Request for Proposals for Next Round of Planned Power Needs
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Monday | June 26, 2023
Brighton, Colo. – United Power, one of the nation’s fastest growing electric distribution cooperatives, issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on June 23 for additional wholesale electric power products. The RFP seeks projects of up to 300 MW to supplement the general wholesale power contracts the cooperative has already secured in advance of its exit from its current power supplier next May. Resources sought through this RFP are targeted for deployment and/or purchase in 2025-29.
“This newest RFP continues our commitment to building a comprehensive power supply, not just for when we exit, but as we grow into the future,” stated Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “We are very interested in not only purchasing power, but in developing new, cleaner generation that is sourced locally. This will help to assure we continue to provide the reliability our members expect, while keeping costs as low as possible.”
Open to both new and existing resources, the RFP is soliciting power sources that will help the cooperative meet longer term environmental goals as well as the expected system growth. Additionally, the RFP seeks strategic partnerships with developers who can plan and execute distributed energy resources on United Power’s local distribution system.
United Power serves nearly 110,000 meters and maintains and operates over 6,500 miles of distribution line. The 900-square mile service territory wraps around the north and west borders of the Denver International Airport and includes the north metropolitan development corridors along Interstate 25, Interstate 76, State Highway 85, and E-470. As a result of its geographic location, United Power’s system is experiencing significant demand and energy growth, averaging approximately 6% annually.
United Power has contracted with The Energy Authority (TEA), a national energy marketing and risk management services provider, to issue the RFP and administer the RFP process. Commitments of intent to participate in the RFP are due by July 10. Respondents must submit proposals via TEA’s RFP Marketplace (rfpmarketplace.teainc.org) by July 24.
Questions about the RFP or RFP process may be directed to UPIRFP@teainc.org.
About United PowerUnited 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 co-ops 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, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.###
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United Power Announces Robbins as Acting CEO
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Thursday | February 27, 2020
Card Teaser
CEO John Parker Retiring
United Power Board Chair, James Vigesaa, announced at an all-employee meeting yesterday, that CEO John Parker is on a medical leave transitioning into retirement. Chief Operating Officer, Bryant Robbins, has been named as Acting CEO, effective immediately. Robbins joined United Power in January 2003 as the Mountain District Manager, before his promotion in January 2017 to Chief Operating Officer.
“With Bryant, we are confident that we have selected a leader who can continue to meet the many challenges of our fast-growing cooperative,” stated Vigesaa. “Not only does Bryant have many years of experience at United Power, a record of success in building teams and leading successful change initiatives, he also served United Power as Acting CEO in 2019 during a previous medical leave.”
Parker joined United Power in 2006 as the CFO and was promoted to CEO in June of 2017.
“As CEO, John successfully led the cooperative on several key initiatives these past two and a half years, and has positioned United Power well to move on to future,” stated Vigesaa. “On behalf of the entire United Power Board, we wish John enjoyment in his retirement and thank him for his contributions.”
Bryant Robbins
Title
United Power Awarded $700,000 Grant to Support Rural Emergency Services
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Tuesday | July 16, 2024
Card Teaser
A United Power sponsored project was selected to receive a grant from the more than $2 million awarded through the Microgrids for Community Resilience Grant Program.
Brighton, CO –- A project sponsored by United Power was among those selected by Colorado’s Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to receive a grant from the more than $2 million awarded through the Microgrids for Community Resilience Grant Program. The program, established by House Bill 22-1013, is designed to enhance community resilience during electric grid disruptions through the development of microgrids. United Power was awarded $700,696 to offset the cost of microgrid systems to support rural emergency services in the cooperative’s territory.
United Power’s project represents one of the initial projects funded since the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) formally awarded the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) and DOLA $17.2 million for the first two years of a five-year funding program. Grant funds will be used to support the study of the potential role of microgrids in advancing state energy goals, such as increasing the resiliency and reliability of the electric grid; reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and supporting the state’s transition to clean energy and beneficial electrification.
“This project, developed in coordination with four of our local fire departments, is a win for the first responders and the communities they serve,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “The battery systems we have proposed will allow these fire stations to operate uninterrupted in the event of a power outage, so they can provide critical services to our members during an emergency. Cooperatives, which are governed locally, are ideally situated to test and deploy local energy solutions.”
The $700,696 award will offset the cost of microgrid systems, placing batteries at four facilities in the United Power service territory: Blue Mountain Fire Station #3 (Coal Creek Canyon); Frederick Firestone Fire Protection District Station #4 (Del Camino); Hudson Fire Protection District Station #3 (Lochbuie); and Mountain View Fire Rescue Station #7 (Dacono).
“This partnership with the communities we serve is at the heart of what makes the cooperative business model unique,” said Trista L. Fugate, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “We worked with each community to develop a solution that would meet their most critical needs. It is just one of the many ways United Power is working to make sure the safety and best interests of every member is met.”
“We are honored and pleased to continue our collaborative efforts with United Power to bring resiliency within our emergency services network and into the community power grid enhancing the quality of life for residents and businesses alike,” said Fire Chief Jeremy A. Young, Frederick-Firestone Fire District. “We are fortunate to have partners such as United Power that remain diligent behind the scenes to ensure essential services remain a collaborative effort for all those we serve.”
The batteries will ensure these critical response facilities continue to operate should a widespread outage occur in the area. During non-emergency conditions, the batteries will provide additional benefits to cooperative members as a load balancing tool. They will also reduce the need to activate fossil fuel backup generation during outages.
“Hudson Fire Protection District is honored to have been selected as an award recipient for the Microgrids for Community Resilience Grant Program,” said Alan Anderson, Assistant Chief. “This initiative is a significant step forward in our commitment to ensuring uninterrupted service and safety for our community, particularly in times of crisis. We are grateful to the Colorado Energy Office and the visionaries behind House Bill 22-1013 for their support and investment in grid reliability and resiliency. We also sincerely thank United Power for their work and for facilitating the grant process. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient future for our community.”
The project complements United Power’s ongoing efforts to build a more resilient and responsive local grid that incorporates a variety of local generation resources, while allowing for local balancing of system demand. To learn more about United Power’s industry leading energy transition, check out the guiding principles of Our Cooperative Roadmap.
About United PowerUnited 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 co-ops in the nation, serving more than 112,000 meters. Its 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, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.###