Title
We all Need the Utility System
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Nov2018_NL_DemandSystem.png?itok=k-t5U7wJ
Thursday | November 1, 2018
Card Teaser
Utilities throw around terms like distribution system, electric infrastructure and “the grid.” But as an electric consumer – and cooperative member – have you given much thought into how you use the electric system, and your role in maintaining that system?
Utilities throw around terms like distribution system, electric infrastructure and “the grid.” But as an electric consumer – and cooperative member – have you given much thought into how you use the electric system, and your role in maintaining that system?
Our distribution electric system, or grid, is a network of poles, wires, transformers and substations – all interconnected to deliver the power you need, when you need it. The system is carefully engineered to meet the needs of the energy consumers connected to it, while ensuring the installation, operation and maintenance is economical.
Costs to maintain the system aren’t just based on the power you buy, system infrastructure costs are also attributed to how much power you use at a given time. When you use more power at once, you’re creating a higher demand on the system. These surges in demand have a greater impact on the grid, so they cost more money.
With the traditional blended rate where the impact of demand surges is rolled up into a charge based on the power used, some members have been paying more than they should, while others aren’t paying enough. But here’s the thing: whether you use a lot of energy, a little energy, or generate your own, we all need a reliable grid to be there when we need it.
By separating demand and energy components on your bill, we are more fairly distributing these costs to members based on how they use power. Each member will now pay their fair share of the cooperative distribution system they rely on.
If you want more information on how you use power, login to the Power Portal to view your usage and demand trends. Visit www.unitedpower.com/powerportal to begin. Find your high demand periods, think back to what was running in your home, and then stagger those appliances moving forward. The grid, and your wallet, will thank you.
If you have additional questions about the demand rate and how it will impact you, email unitednewsline@unitedpower.com.
Demand for Electricity is like Demand for Water
You can fill the same 5-gallon bucket with either a garden hose, or a fire hose. A garden hose will not fill as quickly – but the hose costs less to operate, and the impact on the water system is minimal. Fill that same bucket with a fire hose, and it will fill up very quickly, but the surge of water from a fire hose requires larger pipes and a more expensive hose. In the end, both buckets would be full with the same amount of water, but filling a bucket more slowly – smoothing the water use over time – creates less demand on the system and costs less to do.
Title
We are Dedicated to Keeping the Lights On
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/MarApr2021_Linemen.jpg?itok=GsebI8Z-
Monday | April 4, 2022
Card Teaser
On April 18th, we will celebrate National Lineman Appreciation Day, to recognize and honor our lineworkers for their hard work and dedication.
Lineman Appreciation Day is Sunday, April 18, 2021
United Power exists for many reasons, but as your cooperative our priority is providing our members with safe and reliable power and keeping your lights on. Without the help of our skilled lineworkers, who work each day behind the scenes to improve our system and prevent outages before they happen, that would not be possible. On April 18th, we will celebrate National Lineman Appreciation Day, to recognize and honor our lineworkers for their hard work and dedication.
Being a lineworker along Colorado’s notorious Front Range is not an easy task. Our lineworkers must be prepared to face daily situations that may be less than ideal, regularly tasked with resolving hazardous problems in unknown or dangerous conditions. Over the past few years, the cooperative has had to navigate difficult record-setting weather events, including devastating floods, paralyzing winter storms, and hurricane-force winds. Last year, a strong winter storm dumped nearly two feet of snow across parts of the service territory, and in December, strong storms blasted northern Colorado with wind speeds in excess of 115 miles per hour.
When severe weather hits our service territory, our lineworkers are ready to assess the situation and begin the process of restoring power as quickly and safely as possible. When the skies are clear and winds are calm, our lineworkers are monitoring our system and making improvements to prevent future outages, where possible.
Our lineworkers are on call 24 hours a day, ready to respond to any situation in any type of weather. Next time you lose power, rest assured a highly-trained United Power crew is on the way, dedicated to getting the lights back on.
Without our lineworkers, the power that makes our members’ homes comfortable wouldn’t be possible. We invite our members to take a moment to thank our United Power lineworkers for the work they do. Use #ThankALineworker on social media to show your support or take a moment to drop a kind note in the mail.
United Power
Thank A Lineworker
500 Cooperative Way
Brighton, CO 80603
Submit a Note
Title
What are Vampire Loads?
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Feb2019_NL_Vampire.png?itok=lR6w03eY
Friday | January 25, 2019
Card Teaser
All of these items are responsible for contributing to your “vampire load,” also known as the “phantom load.” Vampire loads come from devices that use electricity even when they appear to be off.
The desktop computer in your office. The living room TV and gaming console in standby or rest mode. Even the cell phone charger you keep plugged in throughout the day. All of these items are responsible for contributing to your “vampire load,” also known as the “phantom load.” Vampire loads come from devices that use electricity even when they appear to be off. These loads are approaching 10 percent of the average household electric use, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Electronics and appliances in standby or rest modes require a little electricity to maintain minimal function of the device so it’s ready to go when you return to using it. The primary culprits are televisions, desktop computers and, particularly, gaming consoles which can use as much electricity as a refrigerator even when not in use thanks to frequent system updates. Chargers are another contributor to the phantom load. A single charger might not be a drain on your bill, but in an increasingly plugged in world, the impact can begin to add up.
So how can you limit your vampire loads? The obvious solution is to simply unplug devices when not in use and disabling auto-update features that draw power when in rest mode. If you want a limited impact on your daily routine, consider investing in smart power strips. These devices can usually connect to your phone through WiFi or Bluetooth so you can turn them off and on automatically. Many of them even come with surge protection to keep your devices safe during storms or other events that may cause a surge.
In the digital, connected age, these vampire, or phantom, loads can become a real problem. A little investment and some small changes can end up saving you on your bill. For more energy efficiency information, check out My Energy.
Title
What is Demand?
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/EarlyWinter_NL_Demand.jpg?itok=LOfvMmC8
Monday | December 19, 2022
Card Teaser
The demand rate addresses how members use the system in different ways.
Demand Rate Addresses How Members Use the System in Different Ways
It has been nearly four years since United Power adopted its current rate structure that includes an energy and demand charge. Separating demand from energy charges was implemented as a way to more fairly charge members for their electric usage and impact on the cooperative’s system. While more electric utilities are making the transition to a demand rate, United Power was among the first to introduce a demand charge across its membership. To help our members learn more about demand, we have produced numerous resources dedicated to educating members so they may make the most of the rate.
What is Demand?
Demand refers simply to the maximum electricity needed at a given time and its impact on the system. The demand charge is the total wattage of all the power being used at that highest interval and is billed as kilowatts (kW). As the cooperative gained new insights about how each meter impacts the system differently, the decision was made to utilize demand as a measurement that helps the cooperative more fairly bill members for their usage. Since some members use electricity in ways that make them more expensive to serve, demand helps to make sure everyone is paying their fair share. When the demand charge was first introduced, the majority of our members saw very little change. Most members saw only a $1–2 increase or decrease in their bill monthly.
Is Demand an Added Charge?
No. The demand charge on your monthly bill was separated from the energy charge, essentially “unbundling” the details of your energy use. A traditional “blended” energy rate combines energy usage and demand into a single charge for all members. The blended rate placed an equal burden on all members for system maintenance costs despite differences in how they use energy. Under the old, blended rate some members were paying more than they should while others were not paying enough. United Power’s current rates separate demand — billed as the highest 15-minute interval of energy usage during each billing cycle — from the energy charge so members are now more fairly billed for both their usage and impact on the system.
How To Reduce My Demand
Now that you can see the impact of both the total energy you use and your highest usage intervals, you have more control over your total bill. By reducing overall energy use with simple tips like turning off devices that aren’t in use and using a programmable thermostat, you can affect your energy charge. To lower your demand charge, avoid using multiple appliances at once. Set the delay feature on your dishwasher so it runs after all the lights are off and avoid doing laundry while the air conditioner is running.
What is the Fixed Charge?
The “fixed charge” is a line item on your monthly billing statement that all members pay regardless of how much energy they use. The fixed charge is a standard amount and covers a portion of the costs for billing, collections, member services, and metering. These services are required whether you use a lot of energy, or none at all, and all residential members pay the same amount.
You can learn more about the fixed charge and other elements of your billing statement on our Understanding Your Bill page.
Member Rate Options
United Power introduced demand with a corresponding reduction in its energy charge and most members did not experience significant changes to their monthly bills. However, you may still benefit by switching to a different rate.
The cooperative offers a variety of rate options for residential members to fit the many ways members use electricity. To ask our trusted advisors if a new rate plan is right for you, schedule a phone assessment here.
Members can find more information about United Power’s demand charge — including steps you can take to control your demand and a calculator to help understand how appliances may contribute to demand — on our Understanding Demand page.
Why Members Round Up
Thursday | December 10, 2020
In November, we asked our members to tell us why they round up, and we received some tremendous responses.
Read more >
Why United Power Plans Outages
Monday | March 9, 2020
You may have at one time or another received a recorded message from United Power informing you of a “preplanned” outage in your area.
Read more >
Title
Why We Plan Outages
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/2018_02_02_PlannedOutages.jpg?itok=3GEM8PdY
Friday | February 2, 2018
Card Teaser
Have you ever received a notification from United Power informing you of a “planned outage?”
Have you ever received a notification from United Power informing you of a “planned outage?” You may have wondered, “What is a planned outage?” and “Why does my electric utility need to perform one?” Occasionally, the equipment we use to bring power to your home needs to be replaced, repaired, or updated. When this happens, as a way to keep our crews and you safe, we plan an interruption to electric service.
We do our best to plan these outages during times when members will be the least inconvenienced. We also try to avoid planning these outages during winter or summer months. We understand these are peak times of the year when you depend on running your heating and cooling units the most.
While they may sound slightly inconvenient, planned outages are actually beneficial to you. Regular system upgrades are necessary for optimal performance, and they increase reliability. Repairing and upgrading our equipment is also critical to maintaining public safety. If older lines need to be replaced, we plan for it, repair or replace it, and that keeps everyone safe.
Planned outages also allow us to keep you informed of when and how long you will be without power. In most cases, we will notify you in advance, by telephone, before an outage, so you can be prepared.
We will also keep you aware of when line crews will be working in your area. Here at United Power, we want to make sure we are doing everything we can to keep you safe and to keep our system running smoothly. So the next time you hear about a planned outage, know that it is one of the best ways we can provide you with quality electric service.
Wildfire Mitigation a Cooperative Priority
Tuesday | September 15, 2020
As your cooperative, United Power takes these growing threats seriously. Leadership at the cooperative has continuously embraced a proactive and progressive approach to wildfire prevention.
Read more >
Wildfire Safety Seminar
Monday | February 14, 2022
In March, the Firestone Free Thinkers 4-H Club, in partnership with United Power, is hosting a free one-hour wildfire preparedness training, presented by the Frederick-Firestone Fire Protection District and the CVEMA.
Read more >
Title
Winter Message from Mark A. Gabriel
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Board/01_Board_Jan2021.jpg?h=45932144&itok=oJpWG_dU
Thursday | December 29, 2022
Card Teaser
A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
United Power had a tremendous year in 2022, from our system’s performance in limiting outages and outage duration to our important decision to withdraw from our wholesale power contract and seek a new power supplier.
Much is happening behind the scenes as we prepare for the next decade and beyond. The investments we make — strongly supported by your forward-thinking Board of Directors — position United Power for a future with diverse generation and storage technologies to meet the expectations of our members.
Our dedicated employees are the force behind our successful operations. It takes a team with diverse skill sets and abilities. Our line crews are on call 24/7 to respond to unexpected emergencies and restore power during an outage, and the excellent efforts of our office staff keep the business flowing day-to-day.
Our system relies on dozens of complicated processes that must occur to keep the lights on, and some are not obvious. Supply chain disruption planning, understanding operational challenges through asset management, protecting critical infrastructure across a remote footprint, and understanding and communicating with our members are just a few of these important, yet hidden, processes.
Electric utilities are one of the few businesses only recognized when they do not perform well. I am proud to say that thanks to our great team, our outage times were half the national average in 2022. Over the past several years, we have made a concerted effort to underground our lines where practical, use new and emerging technologies, and deploy additional sensors while focusing our maintenance efforts and investments on areas needing the most improvements.
Our Cooperative Roadmap (Roadmap) outlines the key directions for United Power as we boldly move into the future — a future with a shared energy economy, more electrification, and higher demands for reliability and resilience. We are, as previously announced, preparing for a future with a new power supplier and getting ready for a power market to come in 2025. These moves take many months, if not years, of preparation. The team at United Power is working toward these goals. At the same time, we are understanding of the economic challenges our members are facing, and we are working to keep rates low and reliability high while meeting state regulations.
We are also in the process of seeking federal funding to help support our infrastructure, as laid out in the Inflation Reduction Act, in areas such as wildfire mitigation, electric vehicle charging, and sensors. Under the legislation, individual members and businesses may also have opportunities to apply for direct federal funding for efficiency upgrades, such as energy storage projects, heat pumps, insulation, and electrification of industrial processes.
The upcoming year will be an exciting one as we continue the path outlined in our Roadmap. I am confident we will continue to be the best cooperative in Colorado and one of the best in the nation thanks to our tremendous team and the support from our Board, who are working to keep our communities strong.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me anytime.
Title
We all Need the Utility System
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Nov2018_NL_DemandSystem.png?itok=k-t5U7wJ
Thursday | November 1, 2018
Card Teaser
Utilities throw around terms like distribution system, electric infrastructure and “the grid.” But as an electric consumer – and cooperative member – have you given much thought into how you use the electric system, and your role in maintaining that system?
Utilities throw around terms like distribution system, electric infrastructure and “the grid.” But as an electric consumer – and cooperative member – have you given much thought into how you use the electric system, and your role in maintaining that system?
Our distribution electric system, or grid, is a network of poles, wires, transformers and substations – all interconnected to deliver the power you need, when you need it. The system is carefully engineered to meet the needs of the energy consumers connected to it, while ensuring the installation, operation and maintenance is economical.
Costs to maintain the system aren’t just based on the power you buy, system infrastructure costs are also attributed to how much power you use at a given time. When you use more power at once, you’re creating a higher demand on the system. These surges in demand have a greater impact on the grid, so they cost more money.
With the traditional blended rate where the impact of demand surges is rolled up into a charge based on the power used, some members have been paying more than they should, while others aren’t paying enough. But here’s the thing: whether you use a lot of energy, a little energy, or generate your own, we all need a reliable grid to be there when we need it.
By separating demand and energy components on your bill, we are more fairly distributing these costs to members based on how they use power. Each member will now pay their fair share of the cooperative distribution system they rely on.
If you want more information on how you use power, login to the Power Portal to view your usage and demand trends. Visit www.unitedpower.com/powerportal to begin. Find your high demand periods, think back to what was running in your home, and then stagger those appliances moving forward. The grid, and your wallet, will thank you.
If you have additional questions about the demand rate and how it will impact you, email unitednewsline@unitedpower.com.
Demand for Electricity is like Demand for Water
You can fill the same 5-gallon bucket with either a garden hose, or a fire hose. A garden hose will not fill as quickly – but the hose costs less to operate, and the impact on the water system is minimal. Fill that same bucket with a fire hose, and it will fill up very quickly, but the surge of water from a fire hose requires larger pipes and a more expensive hose. In the end, both buckets would be full with the same amount of water, but filling a bucket more slowly – smoothing the water use over time – creates less demand on the system and costs less to do.
Title
We are Dedicated to Keeping the Lights On
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/MarApr2021_Linemen.jpg?itok=GsebI8Z-
Monday | April 4, 2022
Card Teaser
On April 18th, we will celebrate National Lineman Appreciation Day, to recognize and honor our lineworkers for their hard work and dedication.
Lineman Appreciation Day is Sunday, April 18, 2021
United Power exists for many reasons, but as your cooperative our priority is providing our members with safe and reliable power and keeping your lights on. Without the help of our skilled lineworkers, who work each day behind the scenes to improve our system and prevent outages before they happen, that would not be possible. On April 18th, we will celebrate National Lineman Appreciation Day, to recognize and honor our lineworkers for their hard work and dedication.
Being a lineworker along Colorado’s notorious Front Range is not an easy task. Our lineworkers must be prepared to face daily situations that may be less than ideal, regularly tasked with resolving hazardous problems in unknown or dangerous conditions. Over the past few years, the cooperative has had to navigate difficult record-setting weather events, including devastating floods, paralyzing winter storms, and hurricane-force winds. Last year, a strong winter storm dumped nearly two feet of snow across parts of the service territory, and in December, strong storms blasted northern Colorado with wind speeds in excess of 115 miles per hour.
When severe weather hits our service territory, our lineworkers are ready to assess the situation and begin the process of restoring power as quickly and safely as possible. When the skies are clear and winds are calm, our lineworkers are monitoring our system and making improvements to prevent future outages, where possible.
Our lineworkers are on call 24 hours a day, ready to respond to any situation in any type of weather. Next time you lose power, rest assured a highly-trained United Power crew is on the way, dedicated to getting the lights back on.
Without our lineworkers, the power that makes our members’ homes comfortable wouldn’t be possible. We invite our members to take a moment to thank our United Power lineworkers for the work they do. Use #ThankALineworker on social media to show your support or take a moment to drop a kind note in the mail.
United Power
Thank A Lineworker
500 Cooperative Way
Brighton, CO 80603
Submit a Note
Title
What are Vampire Loads?
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Feb2019_NL_Vampire.png?itok=lR6w03eY
Friday | January 25, 2019
Card Teaser
All of these items are responsible for contributing to your “vampire load,” also known as the “phantom load.” Vampire loads come from devices that use electricity even when they appear to be off.
The desktop computer in your office. The living room TV and gaming console in standby or rest mode. Even the cell phone charger you keep plugged in throughout the day. All of these items are responsible for contributing to your “vampire load,” also known as the “phantom load.” Vampire loads come from devices that use electricity even when they appear to be off. These loads are approaching 10 percent of the average household electric use, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Electronics and appliances in standby or rest modes require a little electricity to maintain minimal function of the device so it’s ready to go when you return to using it. The primary culprits are televisions, desktop computers and, particularly, gaming consoles which can use as much electricity as a refrigerator even when not in use thanks to frequent system updates. Chargers are another contributor to the phantom load. A single charger might not be a drain on your bill, but in an increasingly plugged in world, the impact can begin to add up.
So how can you limit your vampire loads? The obvious solution is to simply unplug devices when not in use and disabling auto-update features that draw power when in rest mode. If you want a limited impact on your daily routine, consider investing in smart power strips. These devices can usually connect to your phone through WiFi or Bluetooth so you can turn them off and on automatically. Many of them even come with surge protection to keep your devices safe during storms or other events that may cause a surge.
In the digital, connected age, these vampire, or phantom, loads can become a real problem. A little investment and some small changes can end up saving you on your bill. For more energy efficiency information, check out My Energy.
Title
What is Demand?
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/EarlyWinter_NL_Demand.jpg?itok=LOfvMmC8
Monday | December 19, 2022
Card Teaser
The demand rate addresses how members use the system in different ways.
Demand Rate Addresses How Members Use the System in Different Ways
It has been nearly four years since United Power adopted its current rate structure that includes an energy and demand charge. Separating demand from energy charges was implemented as a way to more fairly charge members for their electric usage and impact on the cooperative’s system. While more electric utilities are making the transition to a demand rate, United Power was among the first to introduce a demand charge across its membership. To help our members learn more about demand, we have produced numerous resources dedicated to educating members so they may make the most of the rate.
What is Demand?
Demand refers simply to the maximum electricity needed at a given time and its impact on the system. The demand charge is the total wattage of all the power being used at that highest interval and is billed as kilowatts (kW). As the cooperative gained new insights about how each meter impacts the system differently, the decision was made to utilize demand as a measurement that helps the cooperative more fairly bill members for their usage. Since some members use electricity in ways that make them more expensive to serve, demand helps to make sure everyone is paying their fair share. When the demand charge was first introduced, the majority of our members saw very little change. Most members saw only a $1–2 increase or decrease in their bill monthly.
Is Demand an Added Charge?
No. The demand charge on your monthly bill was separated from the energy charge, essentially “unbundling” the details of your energy use. A traditional “blended” energy rate combines energy usage and demand into a single charge for all members. The blended rate placed an equal burden on all members for system maintenance costs despite differences in how they use energy. Under the old, blended rate some members were paying more than they should while others were not paying enough. United Power’s current rates separate demand — billed as the highest 15-minute interval of energy usage during each billing cycle — from the energy charge so members are now more fairly billed for both their usage and impact on the system.
How To Reduce My Demand
Now that you can see the impact of both the total energy you use and your highest usage intervals, you have more control over your total bill. By reducing overall energy use with simple tips like turning off devices that aren’t in use and using a programmable thermostat, you can affect your energy charge. To lower your demand charge, avoid using multiple appliances at once. Set the delay feature on your dishwasher so it runs after all the lights are off and avoid doing laundry while the air conditioner is running.
What is the Fixed Charge?
The “fixed charge” is a line item on your monthly billing statement that all members pay regardless of how much energy they use. The fixed charge is a standard amount and covers a portion of the costs for billing, collections, member services, and metering. These services are required whether you use a lot of energy, or none at all, and all residential members pay the same amount.
You can learn more about the fixed charge and other elements of your billing statement on our Understanding Your Bill page.
Member Rate Options
United Power introduced demand with a corresponding reduction in its energy charge and most members did not experience significant changes to their monthly bills. However, you may still benefit by switching to a different rate.
The cooperative offers a variety of rate options for residential members to fit the many ways members use electricity. To ask our trusted advisors if a new rate plan is right for you, schedule a phone assessment here.
Members can find more information about United Power’s demand charge — including steps you can take to control your demand and a calculator to help understand how appliances may contribute to demand — on our Understanding Demand page.
Why Members Round Up
Thursday | December 10, 2020
In November, we asked our members to tell us why they round up, and we received some tremendous responses.
Read more >
Why United Power Plans Outages
Monday | March 9, 2020
You may have at one time or another received a recorded message from United Power informing you of a “preplanned” outage in your area.
Read more >
Title
Why We Plan Outages
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/2018_02_02_PlannedOutages.jpg?itok=3GEM8PdY
Friday | February 2, 2018
Card Teaser
Have you ever received a notification from United Power informing you of a “planned outage?”
Have you ever received a notification from United Power informing you of a “planned outage?” You may have wondered, “What is a planned outage?” and “Why does my electric utility need to perform one?” Occasionally, the equipment we use to bring power to your home needs to be replaced, repaired, or updated. When this happens, as a way to keep our crews and you safe, we plan an interruption to electric service.
We do our best to plan these outages during times when members will be the least inconvenienced. We also try to avoid planning these outages during winter or summer months. We understand these are peak times of the year when you depend on running your heating and cooling units the most.
While they may sound slightly inconvenient, planned outages are actually beneficial to you. Regular system upgrades are necessary for optimal performance, and they increase reliability. Repairing and upgrading our equipment is also critical to maintaining public safety. If older lines need to be replaced, we plan for it, repair or replace it, and that keeps everyone safe.
Planned outages also allow us to keep you informed of when and how long you will be without power. In most cases, we will notify you in advance, by telephone, before an outage, so you can be prepared.
We will also keep you aware of when line crews will be working in your area. Here at United Power, we want to make sure we are doing everything we can to keep you safe and to keep our system running smoothly. So the next time you hear about a planned outage, know that it is one of the best ways we can provide you with quality electric service.
Wildfire Mitigation a Cooperative Priority
Tuesday | September 15, 2020
As your cooperative, United Power takes these growing threats seriously. Leadership at the cooperative has continuously embraced a proactive and progressive approach to wildfire prevention.
Read more >
Wildfire Safety Seminar
Monday | February 14, 2022
In March, the Firestone Free Thinkers 4-H Club, in partnership with United Power, is hosting a free one-hour wildfire preparedness training, presented by the Frederick-Firestone Fire Protection District and the CVEMA.
Read more >
Title
Winter Message from Mark A. Gabriel
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Board/01_Board_Jan2021.jpg?h=45932144&itok=oJpWG_dU
Thursday | December 29, 2022
Card Teaser
A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
United Power had a tremendous year in 2022, from our system’s performance in limiting outages and outage duration to our important decision to withdraw from our wholesale power contract and seek a new power supplier.
Much is happening behind the scenes as we prepare for the next decade and beyond. The investments we make — strongly supported by your forward-thinking Board of Directors — position United Power for a future with diverse generation and storage technologies to meet the expectations of our members.
Our dedicated employees are the force behind our successful operations. It takes a team with diverse skill sets and abilities. Our line crews are on call 24/7 to respond to unexpected emergencies and restore power during an outage, and the excellent efforts of our office staff keep the business flowing day-to-day.
Our system relies on dozens of complicated processes that must occur to keep the lights on, and some are not obvious. Supply chain disruption planning, understanding operational challenges through asset management, protecting critical infrastructure across a remote footprint, and understanding and communicating with our members are just a few of these important, yet hidden, processes.
Electric utilities are one of the few businesses only recognized when they do not perform well. I am proud to say that thanks to our great team, our outage times were half the national average in 2022. Over the past several years, we have made a concerted effort to underground our lines where practical, use new and emerging technologies, and deploy additional sensors while focusing our maintenance efforts and investments on areas needing the most improvements.
Our Cooperative Roadmap (Roadmap) outlines the key directions for United Power as we boldly move into the future — a future with a shared energy economy, more electrification, and higher demands for reliability and resilience. We are, as previously announced, preparing for a future with a new power supplier and getting ready for a power market to come in 2025. These moves take many months, if not years, of preparation. The team at United Power is working toward these goals. At the same time, we are understanding of the economic challenges our members are facing, and we are working to keep rates low and reliability high while meeting state regulations.
We are also in the process of seeking federal funding to help support our infrastructure, as laid out in the Inflation Reduction Act, in areas such as wildfire mitigation, electric vehicle charging, and sensors. Under the legislation, individual members and businesses may also have opportunities to apply for direct federal funding for efficiency upgrades, such as energy storage projects, heat pumps, insulation, and electrification of industrial processes.
The upcoming year will be an exciting one as we continue the path outlined in our Roadmap. I am confident we will continue to be the best cooperative in Colorado and one of the best in the nation thanks to our tremendous team and the support from our Board, who are working to keep our communities strong.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me anytime.
