This year, San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative members interested in Green Power will pay only half as much as they did last year. One hundred-kWh blocks of Green Power can be added to an electric bill for an additional 40 cents each. Last year, the price per 100-kWh block was 80 cents.
Many individuals and businesses participate in the program, including Wolf Creek Ski Area and Colorado Gators. Both of these facilities have signed on for an amount equivalent to 100 percent of their use.
The SLVREC Green Power program is a way to ensure that power generated from renewable sources enters the electric grid. Through this voluntary program, members can purchase as many 100-kWh blocks of energy as they like. For every 100-kWh block purchased, an equal amount of power derived from wind, solar, small hydroelectric and biomass sources enters the transmission network that supplies the western U.S. with electricity.
The program, offered by Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, SLVREC's power provider, is the least expensive way to "green up" power consumption. Some homes or businesses may not be able to install solar panels or other renewable generation, as startup costs can be expensive. However, with SLVREC’s Green Power program there's no installation cost, no equipment costs and no regular maintenance. It is the cheapest and easiest way to offset power consumption with power produced from renewable sources.
The extra 40 cents per 100-kWh helps to support the continued development of renewable energy sources. Tri-State provides Green Power for this program with purchases on the open market through a system of green tags. For every 100-kWh block purchased by members, Tri-State purchases an equivalent amount of renewably generated power on the open market. When members purchase the same number of Green Power blocks as their monthly average electric use, it ensures that the amount of power typically used is derived from renewable generation suppliers each month. The program allows members to offset a part of— or even more than—their average use.
Tri-State has been actively developing renewable energy generation sources. Right now, the power generated from these facilities helps to meet state-mandated renewable portfolio standards. Two new facilities recently came online. In July 2009, Tri-State entered into a 20-year agreement with a subsidiary of Duke Energy Corp. to purchase the output of a new 51-megawatt wind farm. Completed on November 29, 2010, it’s known as the Kit Carson Windpower Project. Thirty-four 1.5 mw GE turbines are situated on a 6,000-acre site northwest of Burlington, within the service territory of Tri-State member co-op K.C. Electric Association.
Additionally, in New Mexico, the Cimarron Solar Facility, which was fully energized in December 2010, produces electricity for some 9,000 homes. At 30 megawatts, Cimarron is among the nation’s largest solar photovoltaic plants. The 364-acre site is located within the service territory of Tri-State member system Springer Electric Cooperative, in Colfax County, New Mexico, and is adjacent to Ted Turner’s Vermejo Park Ranch. Cimarron was developed through a partnership between Southern Company and Ted Turner. The facility will supply power to the member electric cooperatives of Westminster-based Tri-State, including SLVREC.
Tri-State also obtains power through agreements with several other renewable generation facilities. Additionally, in 2008, Tri-State launched a renewables incentive program to encourage local and community-based renewable energy projects. It’s one of the most aggressive co-op efforts in the country to spur the development of community-based renewable energy projects and to support jobs and investment in rural communities.
Davey Pitcher, CEO and mountain manager for Wolf Creek Ski Area, is hoping community-based renewable energy projects come to the valley soon. He said, "I'm proud to be a part of SLVREC's Green Power program. We tell people about the program in our advertising and we have found that skiers recognize and like what we are doing. I'm really looking forward to the time when we are able to take the next step — buying solar power that was produced here in the valley."
Pitcher envisions a future with local cooperative solar gardens producing power for businesses like his. He explains that this concept fits in with the ski area's philosophy to take care of the land.
"We are careful with what we do,” he said. “For example, we pay attention to our water use and water quality. I'm proud of that. I'm proud that SLVREC takes wind power and renewable energy seriously."
The ski area purchases 1,500 Green Power blocks each month. Having the program's price cut in half just made the program that much better, according to Pitcher. "We were doing it anyway, it's nice to be able to save money and still do the right thing," he said.