LPEA Quarterly Renewable Energy Generation meeting, Jan. 24

Renewable Energy Credits and LPEA’s Alternative Energy Plan to be discussed

Durango, CO – With the growing interest in local, renewable energy production, La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) is reprising its series of Renewable Energy Generation meetings on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013, 8-9 a.m. The up-coming meeting, to be held in the multi-purpose room at LPEA’s Bodo Park headquarters (45 Stewart Street), Durango, is free and open to all who have invested or are considering investment in renewable generation, as well as professional solar installers.

“The LPEA board of directors has revised its policy covering Renewable Energy Credits, or RECs, and approved a new rate structure, both of which affect local renewable generation,” said Mark Schwantes, manager of corporate services. “We have a new REC payment option for the environmental attributes on approved net metered installations greater than 10 kW.”

LPEA staff takes direction and builds programs based on policies developed and passed by the board of directors. The Renewable Generation and Environmental Attributes is Board Policy No. 359 and available for review at www.lpea.coop.

Most notably, LPEA will provide customers a one-time up-front payment for RECs on installations of 10 kW or smaller, and for RECs associated with installations greater than 10 kW, six-month payments for 10 years, based on actual metered generation.

The LPEA board has also identified development of a long-term, comprehensive alternative energy plan as a 2013 strategic goal, and Schwantes will discuss the preliminary aspects of that plan at the Jan. 24 meeting.

“For example, we are actively pursuing development of a community solar garden,” said Schwantes. “This would be an opportunity for community members who are unable to install solar panels on their homes to participate in local renewable generation. A number of options for structuring the program exist and we would like to hear ideas and suggestions from our members.”

Reservations for the Renewable Energy Generation meeting are not required, but appreciated, as refreshments will be served. For further information on the event, or to RSVP, contact Sue Maxwell at 970.382.7170 or [email protected]. To learn about future events, visit www.lpea.coop, or request email alerts via Constant Contact (sign up at www.lpea.coop).

LPEA, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative established in 1939, provides to its more than 30,000 members, with nearly 41,000 meters, safe, reliable electricity at the lowest reasonable cost, while being environmentally responsible.

For additional information, contact LPEA at 970.247.5786.