Bryant Honored for Service to LUB, Board Member Faces ARPA Suit

Mike Bryant and Light Plant Superintendent Houssin Hourieh

A vacancy for a position on the Lamar Utilities Board is currently open with the end of the four-year term for Michael Bryant. Bryant had served as board chair for his final year and has been replaced in that capacity by Rick Beard. Bryant’s departure leaves one spot open which is currently being advertised in both local newspapers.

Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh, noted that a five-year testing schedule has been completed for the major distribution circuit protection relays. “This helps to maintain our electric system reliability and the speed of the operation for the relay system,” he explained. The board noted the expenditure of $59,333 for upgraded software and control modules needed for all five wind turbines. The upgrade is needed because the control system replacement parts are no longer being produced. Hourieh said that ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority is picking up 40% of the price tag.

Board member, Doug Thrall, noted that a news article that appeared in the Pueblo Chieftain names his business, Rodeway Cow Palace Inn, as one of three that are being sued by Syncora Guarantee Corporation for their part in legal action against ARPA. The suit alleges, that the three, the Cow Palace, Colorado Mills and Ports to Plains Travel Plaza, are, “undermining the ability of the Arkansas River Power Authority to pay its bondholders.” The suit, according to the article, was filed last week in a federal court in Denver, and alleges that the three businesses brought the City of Lamar into their suit against ARPA with a threat of legal action if the city didn’t join in their lawsuit against the regional power broker. The move was to have the city cease to be a municipal member of ARPA. Syncora insured the bonds needed to construct the plant. The coal-fired plant has been declared inoperable and ARPA is taking steps to sell the plant intact or piecemeal. Millions of dollars in construction cost overruns have resulted in extremely high electric rates for ARPA’s municipal customers.

By Russ Baldwin