Join us TONIGHT at 6:00 PM for a Sunnyside Community Solar webinar! Learn about a new tool to streamline the application process and have your questions answered by our experts and 4CORE. Get the Zoom link right here.

As we prepare to usher in a new era of energy independence and sustainability, we'd like to update you on our efforts to enhance our local clean energy offerings and ensure a smooth transition. We’re hard at work securing future power supply partners to support our commitment to a flexible and sustainable energy future.

Our team is addressing the growing demand for solar energy and working diligently to meet your needs. In response to challenges posed by interconnection limits, we have been working on a variety of solutions to this problem. One such solution recently allowed us to move 17 members off the solar interconnection waitlist. That's reflects a 40% reduction of the list. Additionally, we're evaluating the possibility of a hosting capacity study that could provide expert insight into addressing this challenge on a more sustainable and long-lasting scale.

In July, we’re happy to report that our crews have successfully completed helicopter-assisted pole installations (see photos below) and are nearly halfway through our capital work projects aimed at improving our infrastructure to better serve you.

Get charged up for LPEA's first-ever Beneficial Electrification (BE) Open House! Discover cutting-edge tech like heat pumps and electric vehicles, apply for the Sunnyside Community Solar program and join us for some fun!

⛳ Play leaf blower mini golf to win prizes

📅 Date: Tuesday, July 30, 2024

🌞 Afternoon Session: 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm; presentations at 12:30 pm

🌜 Evening Session: 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm; presentations at 5:30 pm

📍 Location: LPEA Durango Headquarters in Bodo

Dive into interactive exhibits, chat with LPEA experts, and enjoy tasty refreshments. Admission is FREE – don’t miss out on the energy revolution and the fun!

Board Member John Lee at the 2021 Archuleta County Fair livestock auction

Celebrating County Fairs: Our Commitment to Community Shines

LPEA is excited to support the upcoming Archuleta and La Plata County Fairs! Our commitment to enhancing life in Southwest Colorado shines through our involvement in local events like these. At LPEA, we’re dedicated to improving our community by investing our time, money, and expertise.

Join us at the fairs and experience our commitment to fostering strong community ties.

Win for Local Solar: PACE Update

In March, we secured $13.4 million from the PACE program for a local project involving 5MW of solar generation and a 5MW/20MWh battery. This significant boost, financed through loan forgiveness, is currently pending official documentation.

We’re also collaborating with our partners at the USDA to finalize this funding and further our mission of expanding clean, local energy opportunities for our members.

Candidates Qualified for Election

LPEA's independent Election Supervisory Committee (ESC) has qualified six candidates for the cooperative’s 2024 election. Ballots will be mailed the week of August 14 for members in Districts 1 & 4. Meet the candidates and read their statements in the press release.

Sunnyside Applications Open Through August 29

We have received an impressive number of applications for the Sunnyside Community Solar program. Subscriptions will be offered through a lottery in September. Haven't applied yet? Visit our website to learn more about the program and to submit your application.

Exciting news from Durango! We've successfully completed helicopter-assisted pole installation in the Smelter Mountain and Rafter J areas. This marks a big step in improving our infrastructure to reduce the risk of wildfires and to better serve you. Why use helicopters for pole installations in rugged terrain? They provide fast access, minimize ground impact, and ensure safety by avoiding tough terrain. Plus, they make precise placement easier. It’s all about efficiency and protecting the environment.

Big shout out from Jerry Sutherlin, VP of Operations, to all crew members who tackled the pole replacements: "11 power poles were replaced in steep terrain in just 1 hour 45 minutes – a textbook execution of preparation and coordination."

Can you spot the lineworkers in the photo above?

• Sunnyside Community Solar Webinar - July 25
• Beneficial Electrification (BE) Open House - July 30
• LPEA Closed For Safety Training - July 31
• Archuleta County Fair - August 1-4
• Sunnyside Application Event in Pagosa - August 6
• La Plata County Fair - August 7-11
• LPEA Board Meeting - August 21
• Annual Meeting - September 18