Monthly Archive for January, 2011

Tri-State and Xcel Energy address Denver Post editorial on Southern Colorado Transmission Project

Published on January 31, 2011 in Public Outreach, Renewable Energy, Resource Planning and Transmission. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Tri-State G&T and Xcel Energy, are jointly pursuing a single transmission project (known as the Southern Colorado Transmission Project) to alleviate reliability challenges and serve as a focal point for renewable energy development in the south central part of the state.

A recent Denver Post editorial failed to mention many key points regarding the proposed project.  First, the Post failed to place proper emphasis on the project’s dual purpose and need. This project isn’t just about renewable energy development; equally important is its need to solve a reliability challenge in south central Colorado, an area rich in agriculture and economic development opportunities.  Second, the Post failed to mention the progress made in the development of renewable energy by both Xcel Energy and Tri-State.  Finally, there is no mention of the utilities’ commitment to continued investment in renewable energy resources at a reasonable cost to both utilities’ rate payers.

Tri-State and Xcel Energy developed an opinion-editorial to respond where the Post fell short in its opinion and can be found here.  CEO of San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, John Villyard, also responded to the Denver Post editorial with a letter to the editor.

Additionally, responses have been developed to explain why alternatives going north out of the San Luis Valley not only fail to meet the purpose and need of the project, but are far more costly and would result in unnecessary impacts to the environment. These responses can be found here.

Cimarron Solar Facility commercially available

Published on January 21, 2011 in Clean Energy, General and Renewable Energy. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

The clean and plentiful sunshine of New Mexico is now producing electricity for some 9,000 homes as the Cimarron Solar Facility has begun commercial operation.  At 30 megawatts, Cimarron is among the nation’s largest solar photovoltaic plants.

The facility is the first resulting from the partnership between Southern Company and Ted Turner and will supply power to the member electric cooperatives of Denver-based Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association.  Tempe, Ariz.-based First Solar, Inc., developed and constructed the facility and will provide operation and maintenance services under a long-term contract.

“This is a key milestone for Southern Company as we steadily incorporate more renewables into our energy portfolio,” said Southern Company Chairman, President and CEO Tom Fanning. “Renewables, along with new nuclear, increased energy efficiency, 21st century coal technology and additional natural gas, all will be crucial to meeting this nation’s growing energy demand.”

“The Cimarron Solar Facility is another example of our ability to harness and utilize the abundant natural resources that are available to us in the West,” said Ken Anderson, Tri-State’s executive vice president and general manager.  “Working with our partners, we have made a significant technology investment in the rural communities we serve, while further diversifying Tri-State’s renewable resource mix.”

‘Dirty Jobs’ visits Carbon Power and Light for an energizing experience

Published on January 19, 2011 in General and Transmission. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , .

Scaling new heights in Wyoming, Mike Rowe spent time with linemen from Carbon Power and Light on the latest episode of “Dirty Jobs.”  Rowe joined five linemen to remove a distribution line from a damaged wooden pole, erect a new metal pole and then install the line on the new pole.

Rowe learned how to correctly test his safety equipment, scale the pole using spiked boots and a belt and test a line to make sure it’s de-energized.  The experience may not have been as dirty as previous jobs, but it was exhausting and hard work nonetheless.

Talking about unscrewing the foot pegs from the metal pole so the general public can’t climb it afterwards, Rowe quipped, “With respect to the general public; where are they?”

Carbon Power and Light serves Southeastern Wyoming with about three co-op members per mile of line.  You can learn more about them at www.carbonpower.com.

Colorado cooperatives sponsor draft horse hitch at Touchstone Energy Night at Stock Show

Published on January 13, 2011 in General and Public Outreach. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

For the 13th straight year, Colorado’s Touchstone Energy cooperatives will be a supporting sponsor of the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado.   Tonight, January 13th, is Touchstone Energy Night at the rodeo, where the popular six-horse draft hitch will be showcased.

The hitch is one of the National Western’s top entertainment attractions and will be featured at 23 Pro Rodeo performances, two Mexican rodeo extravaganzas, the Martin Luther King Rodeo and rode through downtown Denver for the annual NWSS parade.  In addition to seeing the electric co-op Touchstone Energy logo on the hitch, stock show attendees will see Touchstone Energy messaging in print and Internet promotions and throughout the event grounds.

Thanks to Colorado Country Life for help with this article.

N.M. governor terminates EIB members

Published on January 5, 2011 in General. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Earlier this week New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez announced her termination of all members currently appointed to the state’s Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) — the entity responsible for recently imposing state greenhouse gas emission cap-and-trade regulations that would impact operators of power plants (including Tri-State) and other industries across the state.

Late last year the EIB moved forward with the cap-and-trade regulatory program even after state lawmakers rejected the proposal during the legislative process. “New Mexico has recently suffered from an anti-business environment exacerbated by policies which discourage economic development and result in businesses setting up shop across state lines,” Martinez said, in explaining her rational behind her actions.

“Unfortunately, the majority of EIB members have made it clear that they are more interested in advancing political ideology than implementing common-sense policies that balance economic growth with responsible stewardship in New Mexico. As a result, I have notified members of the board that, effective immediately, their services are no longer needed,” Martinez said.

Read more here >>