Monthly Archive for October, 2010

La Plata Electric Association earns national green power award

Published on October 25, 2010 in Public Outreach and Renewable Energy. 0 Comments Tags: , , .
Tri-State member co-op La Plata Electric Association (Durango, Colo.) has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy as one of six organizations in the nation to receive a Green Power Leadership Award for its commitment to supporting electricity generated from a renewable resource.
Currently, a majority of LPEA’s renewable energy is purchased through the cooperative’s power supplier, Tri-State, which continues to add to its portfolio a mix of renewable options for its member systems.
The Durango-based power supplier is the only rural electric cooperative in the nation to receive this honor. “We’re tremendously honored to receive this national award,” said Greg Munro, the co-op’s CEO. “Credit for LPEA’s success in our green power program goes to our creative and enthusiastic staff and board, who have worked hard to get the word out to our communities about the benefits of supporting renewable energy.”

Tri-State member co-op La Plata Electric Association (Durango, Colo.) has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy as one of six organizations in the nation to receive a Green Power Leadership Award for its commitment to supporting electricity generated from a renewable resource.
Currently, a majority of LPEA’s renewable energy is purchased through the cooperative’s power supplier, Tri-State, which continues to add to its portfolio a mix of renewable options for its member systems.
The Durango-based power supplier is the only rural electric cooperative in the nation to receive this honor. “We’re tremendously honored to receive this national award,” said Greg Munro, the co-op’s CEO. “Credit for LPEA’s success in our green power program goes to our creative and enthusiastic staff and board, who have worked hard to get the word out to our communities about the benefits of supporting renewable energy.”

The first block (10 MWs) at Cimarron Solar Project goes commercial

Published on October 22, 2010 in Renewable Energy. 0 Comments Tags: , .

The first of two major renewable energy projects that will produce solar and wind energy for purchase by Tri-State to deliver to its 44 member cooperatives reached a significant milestone this month, when Cimarron Solar Project’s first module of 10 megawatts officially began commercial operation.
The 250-acre plant site, which is located within the service territory of Tri-State member system Springer Electric Cooperative, is scheduled to be brought into commercial service in 10 megawatt blocks.  “Right now we’re anticipating that the second 10 megawatts at Cimarron will begin commercial operation by the end of October and the final block of 10 megawatts will go into service by mid-November,” said Scott Fernau, Tri-State’s senior transmission project manager.

G&T’s board lauded for line school support

Published on October 8, 2010 in General and Transmission. 0 Comments Tags: , .

At Tri-State’s Oct. 5-6 board meeting in Westminster, the association was recognized by Trinidad State Junior College president Felix Lopez for its support and contributions in helping establish a line tech program at the aforementioned southern Colorado institution.

Like most electric utilities in the nation, Tri-State is faced with a significant workforce retirement and turnover during the next five years and as part of its succession planning program, it has pledged support of a number of newly established utility-based training programs throughout its four-state service territory.

In addition to an award plaque that Lopez presented to board chairman Rick Gordon, Bill Wood, former San Isabel Electric (Pueblo West, Colo.) manager and current instructor for the Trinidad State lineman’s program, provided an update on the success of the three-year-old school and requested continued support by Tri-State’s member co-ops.

Tri-State participates in Colo. youth career expo

Published on October 7, 2010 in General and Public Outreach. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Tri-State personnel representing transmission maintenance and the GIS (Geographic Information Systems) held demonstrations and fielded questions from Colorado high school students attending the 8th Annual Colorado Construction Career Days event held Oct. 5-6 at the Adams County Fairgrounds northeast of Denver.

“With more than 1,600 students from high schools across the state attending this expo, this is a rare opportunity for Tri-State to showcase some of the career opportunities in the electric industry to young people who are just beginning to think about their future job interests,” said Mike Jakulewicz, Tri-State’s training manager.

In addition to Tri-State being a second year sponsor and participant in Colorado Construction Career Days, Tri-State member co-op United Power also was in attendance, providing linemen demonstrations and presentations on career opportunities with the Brighton, Colo.-based rural electric utility.

Inaugural ‘Steps to Sustainability’ event a success

Published on October 5, 2010 in Energy Efficiency and Public Outreach. 0 Comments Tags: .

A couple hundred Tri-State employees took advantage of the first ever “Steps to Sustainability” event held on Friday, Oct. 1 at the association’s Westminster headquarters. The day began with an opportunity for employees to recycle their electronic waste in partnership with Waste Management Recycle America, and included such items as outdated televisions, computer monitors, cell phones and batteries.

Later, in the Hub Thompson Conference Center, employees visited with Tri-State energy experts and representatives from the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office, Namaste Solar, Xcel Energy and more. Attendees walked away with valuable information relating to environmental, social and economic sustainability.

“Based on the number of Tri-State personnel that participated, it is obvious that sustainability is an area of interest with our employees and we plan to provide future events. There was tremendous enthusiasm and discussion with the various vendors. Special thanks to all who helped make this event a reality,” said Chris Gilbreath, Tri-State’s water, waste and EMS compliance manager.

Update: 2,790 pounds of e-waste was collected.  Specifically:

  • 1,495 lbs in monitors
  • 1,140 lbs of lowgrade items (copiers, fax machines, cables, printers)
  • 165 lbs of central processing units (laptops, processors, towers, etc.)

All items will be part of a detailed disassembly, spearation and recycling process conducted by Waste Management Recycle America.