Main Points:
PRPA is the power provider for Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont, and Estes Park.
In 2019 PRPA agreed to adopt a goal of 100% carbon free (renewable) electricity by 2030.
In 2020 PRPA staff recommended building a new natural (fracked) gas plant in 2030.
PRPA should adopt interim goals for the next several years stepping up to 100% by 2030.
Emails to Platte River Power Authority
Right now, Platte River Power Authority (PRPA), our publicly owned electricity provider for Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont, and Estes Park is promising to achieve their stated goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2030. As of 2022 they claim to be about half way there. But this may only be about half the story. They aren’t talking about their coal generated energy that they sell to other utilities. Nor are they talking about the amount of renewables that will be required to supply energy storage needs.
In 2018 CforSE gathered over 2,000 signatures to PRPA in support of a 100% renewable goal. Thanks to our efforts and those of our coalitional partners, Northern Colorado Partners 4 Clean Energy, the PRPA board of directors voted overwhelmingly to adopt the goal. Now we have to make sure they achieve it.
PRPA is undergoing continuous modeling and planning options for 2030. They have one model that includes the building a new natural gas plant. As long term storage technologies improve there will be better options available. PRPA should not commit to gas.
CforSE and our coalition allies, Northern CO Partners for Clean Energy, are asking PRPA to consider modeling based on a range of projected costs, more in-line with what other Colorado utilities are doing. We are also asking PRPA to develop interim goals to reach their ultimate goal of 100% carbon free electricity by 2030.
Please write a short email to the board. Tell them you want PRPA to focus on setting and achieving interim goals towards achieving 100% renewable generation by 2030. Tell them that you do NOT want a PRPA commitment to new natural gas. Add anything you like. Often it is the personal touch that our elected officials remember.
Address your email to your PRPA representatives:
Longmont - David Hornbacher, david.hornbacher@longmontcolorado.gov
Loveland - Mayor Jacki Marsh, Jacki.Marsh@cityofloveland.org
Fort Collins - Mayor Jeni Arndt, jarndt@fcgov.com. Kendal Minor, kminor@fcgov.com
Estes Park - Mayor Wendy Koenig, wkoenig@estes.org
Thank you!
Response from Mayor Arndt to one of our members, 1/20/22
Sascha,
Thank you for writing and welcome to Fort Collins.
I can assure you that city council is committed to an aggressive transition to 100% renewables.
I am glad you are on board!! (And I am sorry about the situation at Bella Romero Academy—that seems like a violation of the Clean Water Act—and it’s completely unacceptable.
Honestly, I expected more Mayor Arndt. Any time a politician says, “I can assure you…” I visualize a pat on the head as you are ushered out the door. In addition, she didn’t answer the question. Sascha asked about PRPA and she responded about Fort Collins council. As we step up this campaign I hope that Mayor Arndt will be more responsive to her voters.