Tri-State announces responsible energy plan

"Our membership and board are unified in our pursuit of a cleaner, reliable and lower cost resource portfolio," said Rick Gordon, chairman of the co-operative's board of directors. "We are making a strong and unequivocal commitment to transform Tri-State's resource portfolio in a prudent and responsible manner."

Tri-State's Board of Directors has passed several resolutions to support the development of a plan that will guide the co-operative in its energy transition. Tri-State's responsible energy plan will set goals and pathways to:

• Comply with aggressive carbon reduction, renewable energy and resource planning requirements.
• Ensure the reliability and affordability of Tri-State's wholesale power system.
• Strive to lower wholesale rates while maintaining Tri-State's strong financial position.

"Tri-State's responsible energy plan will define how wholesale co-operatives leverage disruptive technology opportunities to strengthen and empower members and the communities they serve," said Duane Highley, Tri-State's Chief Executive Cfficer. "We will be clean, reliable, flexible and affordable, and do it all within our not-for-profit co-operative business model."

The plan will recognise the significant accomplishments Tri-State and its members have achieved, identify goals and processes for carbon reduction and renewable energy development, and identify the external policy changes needed to fulfil the plan. Additional components of the plan include exploring opportunities with solar and energy services providers to make community-scale solar, energy storage and electric vehicle infrastructure more available to our members at a lower cost.

Nucla power plant scheduled for retirement

The Nucla 100 MW coal-fired power plant in Western Colorado (USA) will be retired in early 2020 following the exhaustion of its onsite fuel supply. The plant, which employs 35 and has been in a ready-to-run-status, was to be retired by the end of 2022 as required by the Colorado's State Implementation Plan addressing regional visibility.

To support the community though the transition, Tri-State will provide US$500 000 in community support spread across five years. Following the shutdown of the power plant, Tri-State staff will work on pre-decommissioning activities prior to a contractor demolishing and dismantling the plant.

"For decades, Nucla Station has been part of fabric of Nucla and Naturita, and we understand the retirement of the plant impacts our employees, their families and the community," said Highley. "We will work to support the community through this difficult transition."

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/power/23072019/tri-state-announces-responsible-energy-plan/