Dear Members,
Progress is at the core of everything we do at LPEA. We are not just maintaining the status quo—we are actively shaping a stronger, more reliable energy future for our members. Over the past month, we’ve made significant strides in that direction.
We have officially settled our lawsuit with Tri-State, finalizing an agreement that defines our relationship moving forward. As part of this settlement, LPEA and Tri-State jointly filed for dismissal of the lawsuit in La Plata County District Court on January 29, 2025, reinforcing our commitment to a strong working partnership.
A key component of this agreement includes two power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Tri-State, securing 30% of our energy supply through December 31, 2033. One PPA will provide up to 40 megawatts (MW) of firm capacity, while the other will deliver up to 40 MW of energy from Tri-State’s Dolores Canyon Solar Project in Southwest Colorado. Additionally, LPEA will receive transmission through the Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) from Tri-State, further supporting our evolving energy strategy.
While we’ve made great progress on our long-term energy plans, we also know that reliability in the present is just as critical. Mother Nature reminded us of this on Valentine’s Day, when a winter storm brought heavy snow and outages to several members in the Pagosa Springs area. We are incredibly grateful to our lineworkers for their tireless efforts in restoring power safely and efficiently. Their dedication is at the heart of keeping the lights on, no matter the conditions. Some members have asked what we’re doing to improve system performance and prevent outages like this in the future. We continuously analyze outages to identify opportunities for system improvements and enhance reliability for our members. Two major system upgrades currently underway include:
- Bayfield-to-Pagosa Line Rebuild – This major capital project, once completed, will provide a redundant power feed, reducing the risk of widespread outages. We expect to complete this project by 2030.
- New Pagosa Area Substation – This addition will help redistribute electrical load and expand our switching capabilities, allowing for faster restoration and improved system resilience. We are working with the Pagosa Springs Town Council on potential site locations, and we expect to complete the project in the next 12-18 months.
As we continue making improvements and planning for the future, we are committed to keeping our members informed. That’s why we provide monthly updates on our progress through our Dashboard (view January's Dashboard here). You can stay up to date on key developments and track our milestones by visiting this webpage.
Thank you for your continued engagement and support. Your voice is essential in shaping LPEA’s future, and we encourage you to stay involved as we move forward together.
Sincerely,
Chris Hansen
CEO of LPEA