February 2021 Newsletter
Dear valued member,

As I write this, extreme weather is wreaking havoc on our electric infrastructure nationwide. From rolling blackouts in Texas to ice storms in the Pacific Northwest to a powerful Tornado in North Carolina, it's a mess out there.

Our corner of Southwest Colorado has also been hit with heavy snow, but thanks to our amazing line crews and rigorous maintenance schedule, outages have been minimal. We've had dozens of small scattered snow-related outages since last Saturday evening, but were able to restore most within a few hours.

Though some are blaming the rolling blackouts in Texas on an increased dependence on renewables, it has more to do with frigid temperatures and infrastructure limitations. I'd encourage you to read the below article on renewables and reliability for more on how LPEA plans to continue delivering you reliable power, while also reducing our carbon footprint.

REMINDER: Bookmark LPEA's outage map for the latest on future LPEA outages.

Stay safe and warm out there!

Hillary Knox, VP of Member Experience
Featured Articles
Renewables and reliability: Can they co-exist?
As we explore new power supply options to deliver affordable, low-carbon power into the future, there is one thing we will never sacrifice: reliability. LPEA’s future power supply must deliver electricity 24/7.
Durango 9-R wins grant for district’s first electric school bus
Durango School District 9-R has been awarded up to $328,803 to purchase and install a fully electric school bus and related charging infrastructure, thanks to a joint grant application by the district and LPEA.
LPEA disburses $65,000 in bill assistance to 860 members
Two bill-assistance efforts lead by LPEA – the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund and the Giving Tree Program – have disbursed nearly $65,000 in funds to support more than 860 LPEA members in need.
Durango's first-ever EV fast-charging station approved
Durango City Council approved funds for the city's first-ever electric vehicle DC fast-charging station, to be located in the Transit Center parking lot. It's expected to be fully operational by June.
Call to Action
What do YOU think of electric vehicles?
Did you know that electric vehicles cost half as much to drive? Tell us what would motivate you to drive an electric vehicle by answering this short survey from the City of Durango. Your answers will help the city in its strategic planning.
Faces of LPEA
Troy Goldberg
Durango Storekeeper
Troy moved to Ignacio from Atlanta six years ago. His work background is diverse and he is looking forward to bringing his skills to LPEA. Troy has been married for 27 years and has three children and one grandchild. His hobbies include music, golf, playing drums at his church, and eating awesome food.
Trenton Webber
Safety Specialist
Trenton joins LPEA from BP, where he served in multiple roles including line locating, safety, and compliance. He has ridden the Iron Horse Classic seven times, hiked multiple fourteeners, and is a former state wrestling champion. He loves to wake surf, backpack, and go four-wheeling with his family.
Current Job Openings
+ Energy Management Advisor
+ Staff Accountant
+ Power Supply Analyst