Fifteen Colorado senators and representatives met with electric co-op CEOs and general managers Monday, March 12, in Denver. There was discussion on the broadband legislation that was before the Colorado House, on the 811 bill in Senate appropriations and on other co-op legislative issues at this March meeting of the Colorado Rural Electric Association Managers Association.
In a presentation to the legislators, Southeast Colorado Power Association CEO Jack Johnston reviewed his La Junta co-op’s successful high-speed internet subsidiary, SECOM. He noted how the co-op stepped up years ago to meet members’ interconnectivity needs in the sparsely populated southeastern part of the state and the vital role that decision plays today.
United Power CEO John Parker announced to legislators that his Brighton co-op is adding a pilot battery storage project. At 4 megawatts, this project will be the largest battery storage project in Colorado and will help all of Colorado’s electric co-ops learn more about battery storage. It will store energy generated overnight, when costs are low, and be ready to deploy that electricity during peak daytime hours.
In discussions prior to and after the meeting with legislators, co-op managers discussed the use of drones for power line inspections, what solar panel tariffs might mean for solar projects and why Colorado’s co-ops may need to update their avian protection plans. There was also discussion of working with other cooperatives in the state on educating the public on what co-ops are, on-bill financing for members and issues that the Public Utilities Commission is dealing with that may affect electric co-ops.
The managers also took time to talk about individual co-op concerns and share possible solutions.