A little over a year ago, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association released a blueprint for its energy future that was hailed by it and others as “transformative.” The Colorado-based wholesale power provider, long criticized for reliance on coal, said it would significantly expand its use of renewable energy and slash greenhouse-gas emissions. Less than a year later, Tri-State, which serves rural electric associations in four states, announced plans to further reduce emissions in Colorado. The utility, accused of having high rates and being inflexible, also said late last year that it will cut rates by 8% over three years and give its member electric cooperatives the opportunity to generate more of their own power. Rates and the inability to produce more electricity locally helped drive the recent defections of two member cooperatives and have others exploring their options. Duane Highley, Tri-State CEO, said the board of directors heard “loud and clear” from the members who want more flexibility. Tri-State has also been under fire for a while from critics for not switching to cleaner energy sources more quickly as the costs of wind and solar power have dropped dramatically. But Highley, who joined Tri-State in April 2019, said in an interview that he thinks the company is “moving at lightning speed for a utility.” To view the full article visit the Denver Post.
