Quick & Dirty

LPEA adjusts time-of-use program

Although La Plata Electric Association has announced it doesn’t plan to raise electric rates in 2017, as with most things of this nature, there will be some give in other areas. In this case, the give comes with the local co-op’s Time of Use, of TOU, program.

The co-op announced recently that it will be tinkering with the hours as well as the rates of the program, which offers customers a discount on rates during off-peak hours.

Currently, TOU customers – who must call LPEA to opt- in to the program – pay 5.9 cents per kilowatt hour during the off-peak hours of 11 p.m. - 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and all-day Sunday, Christmas and Thanksgiving. During “peak hours” – 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. – they pay the higher rate of 16.8 cents per kilowatt hour. This is in addition to a monthly base charge of $21.50.

Under the proposed new structure the off-peak window will increase from 10 p.m. - 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon- day through Saturday (and all day Sunday, Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.) However, while the off-peak win- dow widens, the rate for on-peak usage for those in the pro- gram will also increase to 23.6 cents per kWh, or about 40 percent. At the same time, the monthly base rate will drop by $1.50, to $20.

According to LPEA, the peak usage rate increase was needed to offset the increase in off-peak hours.

“When we were notified by our wholesale power provider, Tri-State Generation and Transmission, of the ap- proximate 4 percent increase in the wholesale power costs, we took a look all the way down the line to try to absorb it and not increase rates to our members,” LPEA CEO Mike Dreyspring said. “I’m very pleased we were able tighten our internal expenditures and explore various rate design concepts to develop a solid solution.”

The LPEA Board of Directors will vote on the proposed rates at its meeting Wed., Nov. 16, at LPEA headquarters. The meeting is open to the public and begins at 9 a.m.

A 30-day comment period will follow, and pending no changes, rates will go into effect Jan. 1.

Dan Harms, manager of rates, technology and energy policy, said LPEA may look into using the TOU rate structure for all residential members. “With this enhanced TOU program, we believe most members can save 5 percent be- fore even trying to shift their energy usage to the off-peak time periods. Members who make a concerted effort to use electricity in the off-peak periods could save up to 40 percent on their bills,” he said.

LPEA has developed a new tool, SmartHub, which allows members to see the difference that shifting to TOU might make for them. SmartHub can be accessed at www.lpea.coop.

For information, call LPEA at 970-247-5786.

City gets serious about snow routes

Winter may seem like it’s never going to arrive, but more than likely it will. And the City of Durango wants to make sure residents are ready for a snow emergency. No, we’re not talking about having skis, boots and poles at the ready we talking about parking on city streets.

The city recently designated certain thoroughfares as emergency snow routes. Anytime there is more than 2 inches of snow, these routes will be off limits to parking so city plows can get through and keep major thoroughfares open. For those who fail to heed the warning, there will be a steep price – fines between $25 - $50 as well as expenses for towing and storage.

The city also reminds anyone heading out of town for an extended period to utilize off-street parking or make arrangements with neighbors to move parked cars if need be. (For the particularly forgetful, sign up for alerts from the City at www.durangogov.org/notifyme.) Some of the streets included in the city snow routes include 25th Street/Junction, Riverview Drive, Eastlawn, Arroyo and the streets surrounding Park Elementary. To find out if you’re on the route, go to www.durangogov.org/snow.

SCAPE program wins major award

The entrepreneurial spirit in Southwest Colorado has gained national attention. Last month, Region 9 Economic Development of Southwest Colorado received an Innovation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations for its Southwest Colorado Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs, or SCAPE.

Founded by local co-founders Jim Mackay and Gary Masner three years ago, SCAPE helps launch startups in Southwest Colorado by offering office space, mentoring, and capital.

Since starting, SCAPE has helped launch 15 companies, created 40 jobs and raised more than $3.6 million to grow area businesses.

SCAPE was honored during NADO’s 2016 Training Con- ference, held Oct. 15-18 in San Antonio, Texas. The 2016 award recipients consists of 96 projects spanning 28 states.

“Since 1986, NADO has recognized the transformative work regional development organizations perform every day. Award-winning projects showcase best practices across the country in regional development that support prosperous communities, stronger local economies and improved quality of life,” NADO Board President Jeffrey Kiely said.

NADO is a Washington, D.C.-based association that pro- motes programs and policies to strengthen local governments, communities and economies.

SCAPE is accepting applications for its 2017 session through midnight Dec. 5. For more, got to www.goscape.org.