LPEA plans rate hike for 2013
It’s going to cost more to keep the lights on in next year.
On Monday, La Plata Electric Association’s Board of Directors gave preliminary approval for an electric rate increase of approximately 11 percent. Specific increases will depend on the classification of customers, but the average household can expect to pay $11.20 more per month on its $88.40 bill.
LPEA must give at least a 30-day notice of proposed rate changes, and during that time will accept member comments on those proposed changes. The board is scheduled to give final approval to the increase at its next board meeting, Wed., Dec. 19, with the new rates going into effect Jan. 1, 2013.
In general, rate increases are a result of changes at LPEA’s wholesale supplier, Tri-State Generation and Transmission. According to a news release from LPEA, Tri-State is facing increased costs.
“Tri-State’s new rate structure has been in the works for almost two years,” said Greg Munro, LPEA CEO. “The distribution cooperatives, including LPEA, have done our best to be involved to not only try to understand the new rate structure, but to also try to make it a correct ‘type’ of rate structure. It has been a long and challenging task.”
According to Munro, LPEA has been active, and still is active, in questioning Tri-State about the new rate structure. The LPEA Board has also established a 2013 goal to do the best it can to mitigate the effects of the rate increase.
“At LPEA we’ve reduced costs with use of new technologies, reduced programs, refinanced debt, and are now about as lean as we can get without impacting quality, reliable service to our members,” added Munro, noting the cooperative also engaged in an independent cost-of-service study to determine what it actually costs for LPEA to deliver electricity to its members. “Based on the cost-of-service study, and to maintain all of our financial requirements, we estimate we need an additional $10.3 million in 2013. We have forecasted as tight as we can and will still have to work hard in 2013 to find more savings.”
The increases for each rate classification will be outlined in ads and online at www.lpea.coop. Furthermore, to better explain the rate increase, LPEA will be holding a series of meetings:
-Durango, Thurs., Dec. 13, 6:30 p.m., LPEA Multipurpose Room, 45 Stewart St.
-Pagosa Springs, Tues., Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m. Pagosa Springs Community Center, 451 Hot Springs Blvd.
- Bayfield, Wed., Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m., Pine River Senior Center, 111 W. South St.
Funds set up for local cyclists
The local cycling community is going the extra mile for two of its own and asking community members to join in.
The Durango Wheel Club has set up a “Friends of Betsy” account at First National Bank for Betsy Richards, 51, a Wheel Club member who was his by a truck while riding her road bike Nov. 8.
After the accident, Richards was flight-for-lifed to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Denver, where she was admitted in critical condition with a fractured pelvis, broken wrist and internal injuries.
Since then, Richards has undergone several marathon surgeries to fix a torn urethra and her broken pelvis. She is in stable but serious condition.
“She’s doing pretty well,” said Betsy’s husband, Joel Richards, on Monday from Denver. Betsy had undergone surgery last week to repair the back of her pelvis and had just come out of a seven-hour surgery Sunday for the front. She was scheduled for a wrist operation on Tuesday. “Compared to what she’s been through, this is minor,” he said.
Joel said he still did not know when his wife would be released but said she is able to sit up in bed. Once home, she will need to stay off her feet for at least three months and isn’t expected to be able to walk for six months. In the meantime, he said she has a good support network in Denver, where she is originally from.
“She has a lot of family up here, taking good care of her,” he said.
For updates on Betsy’s progress, go to www.durango wheelclub.com.
Another local rider, Teddy Rodd, a Devo U14 rider, has had a recurrence of cancer. Teddy was diagnosed with a tumor in his spinal column in January 2010 and underwent neurosurgery and numerous rounds of chemo. The cancer appeared to have gone into remission, but his most recent MRI showed the cancer returned.
He and his family are currently seeking treatment in Denver. Durango Devo has set up a website at www.teamteddy.net for more information, to send a note or to donate.
“I rode with him during the Courage Classic and convinced his dad that he had plenty of strength to ride with Devo,” said Devo Coach Sarah Tescher. “What I also saw in Teddy was a huge heart and an ability to endure a climb when it got steep. He is now on a very steep climb (the climb to get rid of cancer again), but if anyone can make it to the top, it is Teddy. My heart goes out to his family and we very much look forward to seeing Teddy back in Durango.”
Lachelt wins county’s District 2 seat
La Plata County comissioner Bobby Lieb is going to get some new co-workers.
Last week, the County Clerk’s office officially finished tallying the outstanding ballots for the District 2 seat, declaring Democrat challenger Gwen Lachelt victorious over Republican incumbent Kellie Hotter. The race was among the closest in county history, with Lachelt winning by a razor-thin 50.3 percent, or 164-vote, margin. When all the ballots had been counted, Lachelt received 14,095 to Hotter’s 13,921.
“I am delighted to have won the trust of the county’s citizens,” said Lachelt, who was in Washington, D.C., last week when the news was announced. “It sends a message that it’s time for change. It’s time that the board listens to and responds to all our constituents. There are many important land use and budget use issues facing the county right now – decisions to be made over the next few months will impact our future for decades to come.”
Lachelt applauded the County Clerk’s office for its hard work in settling the election. “Tiffany Lee Parker worked with absolute diligence to count every possible vote,” she said. “Ms. Parker and her whole staff should be thanked for their hard work and complete transparency.”
Lachelt, who was attending her last event as director of Earthworks’ Oil and Gas Accountability Project last week, said she will spend the next few weeks transitioning to her new role as La Plata County commissioner.
She will be joined by fellow Democrat Julie Westendorff, who won the District 3 seat vacated by term-limited Wally White over Harry Baxstrom by a vote of 14,098 to the 13,778. that race was also close, with a 50.6 percent to 49.4 percent split.
The new commissioners will be sworn in Jan. 8.
– Missy Votel
In this week's issue...
- January 25, 2024
- Bagging it
State plastic bag ban is in full effect, but enforcement varies
- January 26, 2024
- Paper chase
The Sneer is back – and no we’re not talking about Billy Idol’s comeback tour.
- January 11, 2024
- High and dry
New state climate report projects continued warming, declining streamflows