2012 National Western wraps up with high numbers

Published on January 25, 2012 in General and Public Outreach. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

The 2012 National Western Stock Show and Rodeo completed its 16-day run Sunday, Jan. 22. This year’s event, sponsored in part by Tri-State and the region’s Touchstone Energy co-ops, saw a total attendance of about 636,000. That ranks it among the top 10 for the number of visitors over the past 106 years, according to Stock Show officials.

Many Stock Show visitors saw the Touchstone Energy-sponsored six-horse draft hitch perform at all pro rodeo performances and other scheduled events.  This year’s hitch was provided by Black Hollow Percherons from Plum City, Wisconsin.

The National Western junior livestock auction was also notable and broke several records this year. Nearly 100 animals were sold for a highest-ever total of $611,000 – that’s about $20,000 more than the previous record. The money helps fund a college education for young people who intend to pursue a living in livestock and agriculture.

Overall, the 2012 National Western and Tri-State’s involvement with it can be considered a huge success. “We couldn’t be happier,” said Paul Andrews, the National Western’s president and chief executive

Empire Electric helps support MLK Day of Service

Published on January 23, 2012 in Energy Efficiency and Public Outreach. 0 Comments Tags: , , .
Crystal Curtsinger and her daughter receive an energy efficiency kit donated by Empire Electric.

Tri-State member co-op Empire Electric Association (Cortez, Colo.) teamed with the Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency, Southwest Conservation Corps and AmeriCorps to enhance energy efficiency at the Por Dia daycare facility in Cortez on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day last week.

The organizations participated in a well-attended day of service in honor of the holiday, providing free weatherization services to increase safety and comfort for school children, while decreasing energy bills at the daycare facility.

Empire Electric donated 35 energy efficiency kits that were given out to the parents of the preschoolers for use in their homes. “This is a wonderful project coordinated by 4CORE to install energy saving measures at Por Dia Preschool and provide some energy education for parents and preschoolers,” said Bobbe Jones, Empire’s assistant member services manager. “EEA is pleased to be part of it.”

Many energy efficient updates were made at Por Dia Daycare facility on MLK Day.

4CORE administers the Weatherization Assistance Program, which is a 34-year-old Department of Energy program that strives to increase the quality, safety and energy efficiency of residential, low-income housing through improving energy performance.

“This is a great opportunity for our school,” said Amy Long, owner of Por Dia Preschool. “With rising utility costs and several heating sources in our preschool, I think weatherization will really make a difference in keeping our children warm, safe and comfortable, at an affordable rate for us.”

G&T’s largest aerial platform truck delivered

Published on January 19, 2012 in General and Transmission. 0 Comments Tags: .

 

Tri-State’s largest aerial platform truck to date was delivered at the NCMC on Jan. 19.

It has been said that you need the proper tools to get the job done and this particular piece of equipment – a Bronto aerial platform truck delivered yesterday at the Northern Colorado Maintenance Center – certainly qualifies as an important tool in helping Tri-State’s maintenance personnel efficiently service the association’s transmission network.

This new unit replaces an aerial platform truck that encountered a main cylinder failure and several other serious reliability problems in 2010. The Bronto is the largest platform truck in Tri-State’s maintenance fleet, with a working aerial reach of nearly 170 feet, according to Greg Britton, transmission maintenance manager for Tri-State’s east side group.  “The new truck will be utilized throughout the four-state service territory.  Its higher reach will allow us to access some areas of the system that were previously serviced using helicopters or other equipment that required more time to get the job done,” he said.

The new addition to the maintenance fleet will be initially pressed into service in Tri-State’s east side region during the next several weeks. During that period the truck will be stored at the Cheyenne field office. After that, it will be sited at the Montrose field office.

The truck is powered by a turbo-charged diesel engine. It is equipped with dual front and dual rear steering axles, which allow it to turn in a 32-foot radius.  The Bronto’s overall length is 44 feet and with a transport width of just 8 and-a-half feet this rig can essentially be driven to any work site in Tri-State’s service territory.

Tri-State’s board of directors authorized the purchase of the line maintenance vehicle in February 2011.

Latest edition of Network magazine hot off the presses

Published on January 19, 2012 in General and Renewable Energy. 0 Comments Tags: , .

The winter 2012 issue of Network magazine is hot off the presses. The latest edition includes coverage of an open house at Southwestern Electric, which showcased the co-op’s recent energy efficient makeover of a former movie theatre and bowling alley into its new headquarters building.

Also featured is a unique project by Tri-State member United Power that is helping turn the Front Range’s trash into energy. Readers will also learn how Tri-State is helping to spread the word about electricity to elementary and middle schools through a partnership with the Colorado Foundation for Agriculture.

Finally, find out what the spring 2012 issue of Network magazine has in store in the “In our next issue” section. Network magazine is Tri-State’s quarterly publication that tells the stories of the people and communities of the G&T and its 44 member rural electric cooperatives. The current issue of Network magazine, as well as past issues, can also be found on Tri-State’s Internet site under News Center.

 

 

2012 National Western Stock Show in full swing

Published on January 13, 2012 in General and Public Outreach. 0 Comments Tags: , .

The Rocky Mountain region’s electric cooperatives are once again serving as one of the main sponsors of National Western Stock Show and Rodeo, which officially takes place Jan. 7-22 at the National Western Complex in Denver.

For the 14th consecutive year, Tri-State and the region’s Touchstone Energy co-ops are presenting the popular and powerful six-horse draft hitch.  This year’s hitch is being provided by Black Hollow Percherons from Wisconsin.  It’s one of the National Western’s top entertainment attractions and will be featured at all pro rodeo (PRCA) performances and other scheduled events.

Attendance over the course of the 16-day event typically exceeds 640,000 visitors.

Colorado delegation signs letter of support for state regional haze plan

Published on January 12, 2012 in Clean Energy and General. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

In a rare show of unity, all nine members of Colorado’s congressional delegation submitted a joint letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Lisa Jackson recently, urging her approval of a state plan regarding the reduction of regional haze.

Coal-based plants like Tri-State’s Craig Station are targeted in EPA’s regional haze rulemaking process.

In 2011, the State Implementation Plan (SIP) to reduce regional haze in existing Class I areas in Colorado was approved by the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission and submitted to the EPA by Governor John Hickenlooper.

The SIP is intended to meet the requirements of the EPA’s Regional Haze Rule and the Clean Air Act. Under the rule, states are required to set periodic goals for improving visibility in 156 federal Class I areas, 12 of which are in Colorado, and include certain national parks and wilderness areas.

As they work to reach these goals, states must develop implementation plans that contain enforceable measures and strategies for reducing visibility-impairing pollution.

As required by the Clean Air Act, all states must submit SIP revisions to the EPA for approval. If the EPA finds that a state has failed to make a required SIP submittal or if the agency disapproves the submittal, the EPA must issue a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) within two years to fill the regulatory gap.

For Tri-State and other utilities, a FIP carries the potential of significantly higher costs as compared to the proposed SIP.

In developing the SIP, Colorado followed an “exemplary and inclusive stakeholder approach” resulting in bipartisan support that “. . . speaks to its balanced and thoughtful approach to reducing harmful pollution,” according to the letter.

Paul Griffin, Tri-State senior federal government relations advisor, played a large role in acquiring the support from Colorado’s two senators and seven representatives.

“It’s very unusual to have such broad, bipartisan support on an issue, especially environmental,” said Griffin. “It just reinforces the fact that this is a state process and Colorado doesn’t need federal intervention.”

Additional endorsements of the SIP include a number of conservation organizations and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. Under a consent decree, the EPA is required to make a decision regarding Colorado’s SIP by March 2012.

Parade kicks off 2012 National Western Stock Show

Published on January 6, 2012 in General and Public Outreach. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

The Westernaires are a perennial favorite at the National Western Stock Show.

The one-of-a-kind National Western Stock Show Parade, featuring a longhorn cattle drive, marching bands, floats, rodeo clowns, cowgirls, cowboys and more meandered along 14 blocks of Denver’s downtown business district yesterday to celebrate the opening of the 106th annual show.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock also declared parade day to be “Dress Western Day” in the city, encouraging downtown workers, visitors and others to show their western spirit.  The parade’s grand marshal was former Denver Mayor Federico Peña.

The Rocky Mountain region’s electric cooperatives are once again serving as one of the main sponsors of National Western Stock Show and Rodeo, which officially opens tomorrow at 9 a.m. at the National Western Complex and runs through Jan. 22. Continue reading ‘Parade kicks off 2012 National Western Stock Show’

Chevy Volt debuts at Tri-State

Published on January 4, 2012 in Clean Energy, Energy Efficiency and General. 0 Comments Tags: .

After many months on a General Motors waiting list, Tri-State’s fleet department finally took delivery on Dec. 30, 2011, of the highly touted Chevy Volt, the first American production hybrid vehicle designed to travel extended distances in the electric vehicle mode. “After it is showcased and demonstrated at some of our member annual meetings and other events, the Volt will be deployed in the Westminster-based motor pool fleet,” said Rick Dell, senior manager of supply services.

The Volt is part of Tri-State’s continuing efforts to test and promote new electric technologies in its vehicle fleet.  This new four-passenger auto has been available for some time on the nation’s East and West Coasts, but has only recently become available in the Rocky Mountain region.

At Tri-State, the Volt is joined by four other hybrid vehicles that are currently used in its fleet, as well as a half-dozen plug-in hybrid electric Chrysler pickup trucks that are being demonstrated as part of a three-year research and development partnership program sponsored by Tri-State, Chrysler and the U.S. Department of Energy.

The Volt is a full-performance and full-speed electric vehicle with extended range. In its simplest form, the Volt operates two ways – in EV mode (battery power) and extended-range (gasoline powered) mode. With a fully charged battery this vehicle offers an initial electric range of 35 miles totally emissions free. After that, the gas engine works with the electric motors to keep you going for up to 375 miles of extended range until you can plug it in or fill it up again.

On-line and planned member renewable projects provide up to 39 megawatts

Published on January 3, 2012 in General and Renewable Energy. 0 Comments Tags: .

By year-end 2011, Tri-State member systems had at least 25 local renewable projects – either on-line or planned – that are projected to provide up to a combined 39 megawatts of renewable generating capacity for their member-consumers. These projects are facilitated and supported by Tri-State’s 115 and 117 board policies, as well as technical assistance, in some cases, from the G&T’s staff.

The Carter Lake Hydroelectric Project now under construction at this reservoir west of Loveland, Colo., is scheduled to begin producing 2.6 megawatts of capacity for Poudre Valley REA by next summer.

In 2011 alone, a small community solar garden was added at Empire Electric (Cortez, Colo.), two community solar arrays began production at Delta-Montrose Electric (Montrose, Colo.), a larger 1-megawatt capacity PV solar facility is generating for Kit Carson Electric (Taos, N.M.), a hydroplant began operation for San Luis Valley REC (Monte Vista, Colo.) and an existing hydroplant’s full capacity was purchased by San Miguel Power (Nucla, Colo.). In addition, the first landfill gas plant on a Tri-State member co-op’s system started generating power last fall for United Power (Brighton, Colo.).

In 2012, several Tri-State members are planning to bring some sizeable renewable projects on line – at one megawatt or larger. These will include the 9-megawatt Huerfano River Wind Project in southern Colorado, which will generate power for Sangre de Cristo Electric (Buena Vista, Colo.) and San Isabel Electric (Pueblo West, Colo.), and the 2.6-megawatt Carter Lake Hydro Project, which is slated to begin producing power this summer for Poudre Valley REA (Fort Collins, Colo.).

Looking at Tri-State’s own renewable portfolio, the G&T recorded the first full year of operation in 2011 for the 51-megawatt Kit Carson Windpower Project in eastern Colorado and the 30-megawatt Cimarron Solar Facility in northeastern New Mexico. Both of these generating sites, from which Tri-State holds long-term power purchase agreements, exceeded performance projections during the past year.

Acquisitions, system improvements highlight 2011 activities

Published on December 22, 2011 in General. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

Tri-State’s purchase of the Fort Lupton Generating Station and the acquisition of Colowyo Mine by Tri-State subsidiary Western Fuels-Colorado, along with a flurry of field projects aimed at making improvements to the association’s power delivery system were among the major highlights of a very busy and productive year for the association.

Colowyo Mine uses two draglines and truck and shovel operations to extract coal for use at Craig Station.

Western Fuels-Colorado – a fuel supply cooperative in which Tri-State is the majority owner – officially became the new owner and operator of Colowyo Mine on Dec. 1, 2011. The northwest Colorado mine, which was already under contract to deliver up to 2.3 million tons of coal annually to Craig Station, is now aligned in an ownership role to ensure a reliable and affordable supply of fuel for the life of the plant.

During the same year-end time frame, Tri-State also completed the purchase of the 272-megawatt, natural gas fueled, combined-cycle Fort Lupton Generating Station in northeast Colorado. This plant, which employs 23 people, helps meet the association’s need to add intermediate generation and provides important load-following capabilities in a high growth area of the power supply system.

In order to meet continued member load growth, particularly in the areas serving expanding energy development, Tri-State maintenance crews and contractors were engaged in numerous transmission and substation projects throughout the association’s 200,000 square-mile power delivery system.  Among those ongoing projects is the Nucla to Sunshine transmission line in southwestern Colorado, which wrapped up its second year of a three-year timeline for completion.

The 56-mile, 115-kilovolt Nucla to Sunshine transmission project closed out the second year in its three-year timeline for completion.

Tri-State also is working closely with all of its members who have chosen to participate in the asset transfer of all or a portion of their 100-kilovolt and higher facilities to Tri-State ownership. This major undertaking will ultimately transfer up to 260 transformers and 500 miles of transmission line to Tri-State. The goal of the asset transfer is to improve reliability and help the association centralize and more effectively manage federal regulatory compliance rules.

The association’s generation fleet recorded an exemplary year in 2011.  In all cases, Tri-State’s generating units exceeded industry standards for availability, while plant and field location employees recorded improved safety performance at many Tri-State sites.

Late in the year, the Tri-State board authorized a payment of $20 million in capital credits to the member systems, marking the 23rd consecutive year that the G&T has returned patronage capital to its co-ops. In other financial actions, the G&T bolstered liquidity in 2011, through a new $500 million, 5-year credit facility. The funds will be used for working capital, capital expenditures and other corporate purposes.

Reflecting on the past year, Tri-State executive vice president and general manager Ken Anderson said, “I believe we have a lot to be pleased about as we look back on a solid year of accomplishments made possible by our dedicated board, staff and membership. We’ll be facing many challenges going forward, but I feel we are well positioned to meet our goals and deliver on our mission as we continue to mature the programs and processes that we have in place.”