Leaving Tri-State is risky

Joe Lewandowski’s recent letter (Telegraph, March 20, 2025) leaves out crucial facts about LPEA’s decision to leave Tri-State – and what’s really at stake for co-op members.

Tri-State isn’t some big, faceless corporation. It’s a member-owned, not-for-profit rural cooperative made up of 42 co-ops like ours. Its mission is to provide reliable, affordable power while reinvesting in local communities – not profits for investors. Tri-State has steadily increased its renewable energy portfolio, now providing more than 50% renewables and working toward 70% by 2030. It has also reduced its dependence on fossil fuels and consistently meets strict environmental regulations.

In fact, Tri-State’s environmental efforts have earned real recognition. It has been awarded Silver Achiever status in the Colorado Environmental Leadership Program and received the Environmental Stewardship and Pollution Prevention award from the Colorado Mining Association for six consecutive years. In October 2024, even the Sierra Club highlighted Tri-State’s selection as a finalist for the USDA’s Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program, designed to support clean energy initiatives in rural areas. And in June 2024, the Sierra Club also recognized Tri-State’s proposed Electric Resource Plan, which not only outlines significant emission reductions – targeting an 89% decrease – but also provides direct financial assistance to communities impacted by coal plant closures. That’s a track record of proven, measurable commitment to cleaner energy, rural communities and responsible operations.

Instead of strengthening this successful cooperative model, LPEA’s current board voted to pursue an unnecessary and costly $209 million buyout, walking away from a stable, member-owned partner to hand our future to Mercuria Energy Group Ltd. – a for-profit, multinational commodity trading company headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Mercuria operates in global energy markets, trading in crude oil, natural gas, electricity, renewables and other commodities. Mercuria doesn’t produce energy or invest locally. Their business is buying and selling electricity on the open market, focused entirely on maximizing profits for shareholders. There’s no binding guarantee they’ll prioritize renewable energy, lower rates or community interests. Their loyalty lies with global investors – not with La Plata County residents.

Even worse, LPEA members are already paying the price. Our energy rates are increasing to fund this $209 million buyout – money that could have stayed in our community. And here’s a fact often overlooked: the buyout won’t be finalized until April 2026. There’s still time to stop this risky, unnecessary move and return to a model built on local control and accountability.

The current board has steered us away from the cooperative values that built LPEA. No incumbent directors should be reelected. We need leadership who will protect rate stability, cooperative principles and long-term sustainability – not multinational profits.

Ballots arrive in April. Let’s take our co-op back.

– Kelly Hegarty,  Durango