Lamar Light and Power Replacing Burned Poles

The Lamar Utilities Board meeting on Tuesday, June 28, covered a limited agenda, before moving into executive session for discussions.

A dozen power poles were burned during the Ft. Lyon fire this spring, and the board authorized $16,961 to replace the custom-made transmission structures.  The delivery date will take three to four weeks, according to Light Plant superintendent, Rick Rigel.  The board also approved a low bid of $3,560 for 60, 100 watt Dusk to Dawn Street Lighting Fixtures.  Another approval for $14,250 was authorized for wind turbine inspections, specifically the turbine bed plates on which the nacelles rest at the top of the structure.  Some of the bed plates have begun cracking, but Rigel said this is a common issue among these types of devices. 

Two issues were covered in executive session as listed on the meeting agenda:  one involved an update on the Repowering Project.  Equipment will arrive this week and the final pieces should be at the plant by early July.  The testing procedures outlined b y the engineering firm Babcock and Wilcox were scheduled for discussion; developments in the WildEarth Guardian lawsuit were also discussed by the board.  The plant’s permit modification has completed the public commend period and is now in final review.  An update on the comments from WEG was discussed in executive session.

By Russ Baldwin