Touchstone Energy team “Pedals the Plains”

From Sept. 21-23, 2012, 1,000 bicycle enthusiasts saddled up for a three-day, 168-mile circuit across eastern Colorado’s electric co-op country for the first annual “Pedal the Plains” bicycle tour that was sponsored in part by Tri-State and its member Colorado Touchstone Energy Cooperatives.

Nucla featured in recent ACCCE video

The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (of which Tri-State is a member) has released a new video documenting the potential effects that the increasing number of environmental regulations could have on communities whose economies depend on the energy industry, including Nucla, Colo., where Tri-State owns and operates a 100-megawatt coal-based power plant.

Tri-State marks 60 years of service

By most measures Tri-State is looking pretty good for a 60-year-old. The G&T’s official birthday was Saturday, May 19, 2012. Despite all the growth and new assets that the association has accumulated since then, it still comes down to the Tri-State people.

Tri-State adds 67 megawatts of wind power

Tri-State has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement to buy the electricity from the state's newest planned renewable energy resource, the 67-megawatt Colorado Highlands Wind project.

Tri-State officers elected following 2012 annual meeting

Approximately 400 electric cooperative representatives and industry officials attended Tri-State's 60th annual meeting April 4-5, after which the association's board of directors was seated for the upcoming year, including all six incumbent officers and three at-large positions that make up the board's Executive Committee.

Tri-State petitions Federal Court to review EPA rule

On April 13th Tri-State filed a legal challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency's costly Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS) rule, which is not lawful under the Clean Air Act and will significantly increase electricity costs.

Western-Fuels-Colorado closes on purchase of Colowyo mine

Western Fuels-Colorado LLC, a fuel supplier that delivers coal under contract to Tri-State's Craig Station and Nucla Station power plants in Western Colorado, has completed its purchase of the Colowyo Mine from Rio Tinto.

Tri-State purchases 272-megawatt combined cycle power plant

Tri-State has agreed to purchase a 272-megawatt natural gas-fired combined cycle power plant in Fort Lupton, Colo. The association will acquire 100 percent of the equity interests in the Thermo Cogeneration Partnership (TCP) from affiliates of Starwood Energy Group.

Tri-State to test PHEV Ram 1500 pickups over three years

Chrysler Group LLC, working in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, recently delivered six demonstration fleet Ram 1500 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle pickup trucks to Tri-State – part of a national demonstration fleet of 140 vehicles that will be used during the next three years.

Tri-State to assess options for SoCo transmission infrastructure

Tri-State will move forward to identify options to ensure electric system reliability following Xcel Energy's reconsideration of its participation in a joint transmission project with the association in southern Colorado.

Tri-State signs fiber use agreement with EAGLE-Net

Tri-State and EAGLE-Net Alliance signed an agreement which will enable EAGLE-Net to use Tri-State's fiber optic cable to expand their broadband network into the Western Slope.

Tri-State contributes to nation's expanded solar integration

America's electric utilities are ramping up their use of solar power – and not just in the sunny Southwest – although Tri-State's recent integration of 30 megawatts from the Cimarron Solar Facility is located in the Land of Enchantment.

Cimarron Solar Facility fully energized

The clean and plentiful sunshine of New Mexico is now producing electricity for some 9,000 homes as the 30-megawatt Cimarron Solar Facility has begun commercial operation.

Kit Carson Windpower Project operational

Tri-State announced on Nov. 29, 2010 the completion of the Kit Carson Windpower Project, a 51-megawatt wind farm located in east-central Colorado.  The wholesale power supplier is purchasing the output of the facility through a 20-year agreement with a subsidiary of Duke Energy Corp.

Membership gathers for 59th Annual Meeting

More than 400 electric cooperative representatives and industry officials attended Tri-State’s 59th annual meeting April 6-7 at the G&T’s Westminster, Colo., headquarters, where they reviewed recent activities and addressed numerous issues and challenges facing the electric utility industry, which was followed by the board officer elections for the coming year.

Air permit issued for Holcomb expansion

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued an air permit on Dec. 16 for a new generating unit at Sunflower Electric’s Holcomb Station in western Kansas, in which Tri-State is a potential partner.

Tri-State files electric resource plan with Colorado PUC

Tri-State filed its 20-year Electric Resource Plan with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission on Nov. 30, which provides an assessment of the G&T’s existing resource mix, electric sales forecast and various alternatives for meeting future system needs.

Southern Colorado transmission project receives initial PUC approval

A Colorado Public Utilities Commission administrative law judge on Nov. 19 recommended the granting of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the San Luis Valley-Calumet-Comanche Transmission Project, a proposed joint partnership between Tri-State and Xcel Energy.

Tri-State receives upgraded credit rating

Tri-State’s credit rating has been upgraded by Moody’s Investors Service, benefiting from what the rating agency reports is a “stable outlook, sound financial profile and ample liquidity resources," from Baa1 to A3.

Tri-State board approves 2011 budgets with no change in rates for coming year

Tri-State’s board of directors has approved the power supplier’s 2011 operating and capital construction budgets, which include significant investment in its transmission system to serve member loads and support system reliability, while holding rates steady for three years running.

Cimarron Solar energizes first 10 megawatts

The first of two major renewable energy projects that will produce solar and wind energy for purchase by Tri-State to deliver to its 44 member cooperatives reached a significant milestone on Oct. 13, when Cimarron Solar Project’s first module of 10 megawatts officially began commercial operation.

Flight operations team earns top safety award

Tri-State’s flight operations facility has achieved top status in OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program, becoming the second Tri-State worksite to accomplish the feat.

Construction starts on Nucla-Sunshine transmission project

Construction began June 1 on Tri-State’s latest transmission project, the 115-kilovolt Nucla-Sunshine line in southwestern Colorado.  The new 51-mile line is scheduled to be completed and energized in 2012.

Construction underway on Cimarron Solar facility

Officials from Tri-State, Southern Company, Turner Renewable Energy and First Solar gathered on June 9 for a groundbreaking ceremony to officially mark construction of the Cimarron Solar facility in northern New Mexico's Colfax County.

Revised Generator Interconnection Procedures effective July 1

Tri-State's new Generator Interconnection Procedures represent the culmination of a year-long process for the association's interconnection queue reform.  A meeting will be held June 28 at Tri-State headquarters to discuss the new procedures and review the association's latest Load and Resource Transmission Study.

Tri-State officers elected following association's 2010 annual meeting

Tri-State’s board of directors elected its officers for the coming year following the G&T’s 58th annual meeting held April 7-8 in Westminster, Colo.  Rick Gordon, who has served as Tri-State’s vice chairman for the past 13 years, was elected board chairman.  He replaces Hub Thompson, who, after serving in that capacity for the past 26 years, announced his retirement as an electric co-op director.

Tri-State recognized for GHG Management Roadmap

Tri-State's Mac McLennan, Lee Boughey and Barbara Walz were honored recently as recipients of EPRI's Technology Transfer Award for the association's leadership in education and information exchange of technology and research results related to the development of its Greenhouse Gas Management Roadmap.

EEC program pays consumers $2.5 million

Tri-State’s longstanding and highly successful Energy Efficiency Credits program paid out more than $2.5 million to member co-op consumers who purchased energy-saving products and took energy-saving measures in their homes and businesses in 2009.

Co-ops spread energy efficiency message at National Western Stock Show

For the 12th year in a row, Tri-State and the region's Touchstone Energy Cooperatives rode high in the saddle at the 2010 National Western Stock Show and Rodeo, held Jan. 9 -24 in Denver, leveraging the event as an effective means of promoting the values and ideals of the region’s electric co-ops.

Tri-State recognized for environmental leadership

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has awarded Tri-State as a Silver Achiever under the Colorado Environmental Leadership Program for sustaining significant achievements in operating its 100-megawatt

Nucla Station in compliance with all state environmental regulations, as well for implementing a comprehensive set of corporate initiatives.

Tri-State earns prestigious health and safety recognition at Escalante Generating Station

As the owner/operator of the Escalante Generating Station, a 245-megawatt power plant in Prewitt, N.M., Tri-State has become only the eighth company in the state to earn the prestigious Zia Star Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) status from the New Mexico Environment Department’s (NMED) Occupational Health and Safety Bureau.

Chugwater schools get smart about energy efficiency

Platte County School District #1 Superintendent Stuart Nelson accepted a $7,560 check Monday night at its monthly board meeting from Wheatland Rural Electric Association and Tri-State, in recognition of Chugwater Elementary School’s recent conversion from a coal-fired heating system to energy-efficient electric thermal storage (ETS) units.

Colorado co-op-served schools receive wind turbines

A series of small wind turbines slated for installation this fall at several Tri-State member cooperative-served rural schools are expected to generate plenty of student interest in renewable energy technologies. 

Brush Unit 2 added to resource mix

On Oct. 1, Tri-State added a new generating resource to its mix of baseload, contracted federal hydropower, intermediate, peaking and renewable generation sources - Brush Unit 2, a 70-megawatt natural gas, combined-cycle unit located in eastern Colorado.

Tri-State named "Top Company" by ColoradoBiz magazine

Tri-State has been named the winner in the energy and natural resources category of ColoradoBiz Magazine’s 2009 Top Company awards program. The program, now in its 22nd consecutive year, recognizes Colorado’s top performing companies on the basis of sustained financial performance, operational excellence and community involvement.

Board of directors approves 2010 budgets

Tri-State’s board of directors has approved the power supplier’s 2010 operating and capital construction budgets, which include significant investments in electric transmission infrastructure throughout its 250,000 square-mile service territory and continuing investments in new technology development.

Tri-State participates in launch of “Together We Save” campaign

Joining nearly 700 other Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives from across the country, Tri-State and its member system co-ops are combining forces to launch a revolutionary national energy efficiency campaign designed to inspire consumers to save energy and money.

Tri-State conducts system-wide energy efficiency study

As part of its continued commitment to the wise use of energy, Tri-State has hired a firm to assess the market potential for electric energy savings in the association’s 250,000-square-mile service territory. Nextant, a Boulder-Colo.-based global energy software and consulting firm, is conducting the study.

Tri-State-backed carbon capture project proves successful

A unique Tri-State-supported Wisconsin R&D pilot project aimed at demonstrating the viability of capturing 90 percent of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from a coal-based power plant utilizing a chilled ammonia process has proved successful after more than one year of testing.

Tri-State and Duke Energy team up on new 51-megawatt wind power project

In keeping with its efforts to diversify its resource portfolio to meets its member co-ops’ power requirements, Tri-State has signed a 20-year agreement with a subsidiary of Duke Energy Corp. to purchase the output of a new 51-megawatt wind farm to be built in east-central Colorado.

Tri-State to participate in SunZia Transmission Project

Tri-State has joined as a participant in the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project.  The proposed project would be comprised of up to two 460-mile, 500-kilovolt lines extending from east-central New Mexico to east-central Arizona and designed to move 3,000-plus megawatts of electricity across the Southwest.

Tri-State develops GHG management roadmap
As part of its ongoing, comprehensive operational risk identification and analysis strategy, Tri-State has developed a Greenhouse Gas Management Roadmap. The document was reviewed with the association’s board of directors at its June meeting and was submitted to the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office on June 5.

Highline Electric launches renewable energy project
Representatives from Highline Electric Association, Tri-State, Ormat Technologies and Kinder Morgan Pipeline were in Peetz, Colo., June 24 to dedicate Highline’s first renewable energy project that captures heat generated from gas turbines to produce electricity.

Co-op provides green power for Mesa Verde National Park's new visitor center

For the park’s additional energy requirements, the local electric cooperatives Empire Electric Association is selling nearly 1,000 blocks of green power for the new cultural center and two existing facilities.

Deming public schools get smart about energy efficiency
Several community leaders including N.M. Sen. John Arthur Smith and Rep. Dona Irwin toured Ruben S. Torres Elementary School today, getting a firsthand look at the school’s geothermal heating and cooling system.

Tri-State to reevaluate long-term resource planning
Tri-State’s board has announced that the G&T is reevaluating its long-term resource plans to clearly identify the appropriate resources required to continue to affordably and reliably meet the future energy needs of its 44 member distribution cooperatives.

Tri-State and First Solar sign major development agreement
Tri-State and Tempe, Ariz.-based First Solar announced they have entered into an agreement to develop a 30-megawatt (AC), 500,000-panel solar photovoltaic power plant in northeastern New Mexico. The "Cimarron I Solar Project" is the largest photovoltaic project by an electric cooperative and among the largest facility of its kind in the world

Empire Electric and Tri-State help take energy hogs to slaughter

For the third time, Empire Electric Association has helped its member-owners safely replace and recycle old, energy-guzzling household refrigerators and freezers with new energy efficient models.

Tri-State paid 2008 property taxes of $23.3 million in multiple states

Property taxes for 2008 amounting to $23.3 million were paid by Tri-State in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Nebraska and Arizona, where the Denver-based wholesale power supplier owns and operates various electric generation and transmission facilities.

Tri-State partnering with ENERGY STAR; adding appliances and new electric technologies to its energy efficiency program

Tri-State’s board of directors recently approved significant additions to the power supplier’s long-standing Energy Efficiency Credits program to further promote energy innovation and the wise use of electricity.

Tri-State takes the LE(a)D in energy efficient lighting

Tri-State recently put its long-standing commitment to energy efficiency in action when it installed cutting-edge LED lighting technology in the parking lot of its headquarters facility in the north Denver suburb of Westminster.

Tri-State officers and directors elected following 2009 annual meeting

The board of directors of Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association was seated for the upcoming year following the company's 2009 Annual Meeting and membership session held April 8-9 at its headquarters complex in Westminster, Colo.

Tri-State to host solar augmentation study at N.M. coal-based power plant
With a goal of increasing power plant efficiency while incorporating renewable technologies, Tri-State has entered into an agreement with the Electric Power Research Institute to host a case study that is aimed at helping electric utilities add solar energy to fossil-fueled generating stations.

Tri-State, Environment Colorado collaborate on energy efficiency study

Tri-State and Environment Colorado have signed an agreement to work cooperatively on a system-wide energy efficiency study – a collaboration that marks a new step in the relationship between the organizations.

Tri-State rolls out member local renewable program

In an effort to encourage the development of local and community-based renewable energy projects across its service territory, Tri-State adjusted its Member Local Renewable Project Program at the December 2008 board meeting.

Tri-State partners with EPRI and other regional utilites to study a solar plant project

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) announced the beginning of a new project to study the feasibility of concentrating solar power in New Mexico.