All Entries in the "Energy" Category
Boiler Design Flaws Plague Repowering Project
The Lamar Utility Board spent their last meeting of 2012 looking ahead to the spring of 2013 when light plant officials hope to see a successful test and tuning of the Repowering Project boilers. The boilers have been offline for almost two years due to what has been determined to be design flaws. ARPA […]
Utility Board Reviews Customer Rate Classification
The Lamar Utility Board held a shortened meeting on Tuesday, November 27, due to lack of a quorum as several members were out of town. Without a quorum, no action could be taken on any agenda items, although board members discussed several points of concern. Light Plant Superintendent Houssin Hourieh recapped the board’s prior […]
City OKs 2013 Budget & Increased Municipal Fees
The 2013 budget for the City of Lamar was officially adopted at Monday night’s council meeting, as council members passed the ordinance on second reading, as well as the ordinance pertaining to collection of taxes and the mill levy. Next year’s General Fund is set at $7,015,202, of which sales tax revenue is expected to […]
HOPE Plants a Seed for the Future
The Project HOPE garden at the Lincoln School Teen Center is off to a great start, thanks to students and community volunteers who showed up this past Saturday, November 17, to prepare the site for the next growing season. Almost two acres of land is available for use and expansion, just north and on […]
Light Plant Customers Will See Electric Rate Drop in 2013
Electric rates should be dropping by 7% for Lamar Light and Power customers, based on kilowatt per hour usage. Lamar Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh reviewed the new rate schedule in the 2013 budget for Lamar Utility Board members during their Tuesday, November 13 meeting. A rate increase of 2.5% will be in effect, […]
Lamar City Council Approves 2013 Budget, Moves Forward on Energy Audit on City Buildings
A meeting of the Lamar Redevelopment Authority preceded the regular Lamar City Council meeting this past Monday evening, November 12. Business before the Authority was brief, as it pertained to an earlier agreement for the annual rehabilitation reimbursement of American Transit Works Incorporated for $6,846.57. The ten year agreement calls for $3,500 per year […]
PCDI Moving to Rodeway Cow Palace Inn, Sets 2013 Budget
The PCDI headquarters move won’t take place until the start of 2013, essentially a cost-cutting move approved by the Prowers County Development Incorporated board. With only minor changes, the 2013 budget reflects the financial structure for the economic development organization for 2012. The City of Lamar and Prowers County Commissioners will each contribute $50,000 to […]
Gov. Hickenlooper extends relief for drought-stricken ranchers & livestock owners
DENVER — Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012 — Gov. John Hickenlooper announced today he extended an Executive Order that authorizes transports of large baled hay or baled livestock feed which may exceed lawful maximum height. The governor signed the original Executive Order on Sept. 21. Since then, the Colorado Department of Transportation has issued 13 permits […]
2013 Lamar Light Plant Budget Approved
Lamar Utility Board members approved the 2013 budget for the Lamar Light Plant after a brief review of questions several members had voiced at the previous board meeting on October 9. There were no changes in the budget, but some aspects of it were highlighted with regard to some of the financial responsibilities that […]
Decision Time for Prowers County Commissioner Voters
The Prowers Journal hosted a Prowers County Candidates forum for the local Commissioner’s race on Monday, October 15. Four candidates are vying for two positions available for District One and District Three. The District One race is between incumbent Henry Schnabel and challenger Don Seufer. District Three is an open race between Jillane Hixson and […]
Atmos Energy, Going Very HIGH Tech
Tower climbers, employed by Atmos Energy, were in Lamar last week, installing equipment on the 100 foot tall tower in back of the Double K Car Wash between Second and Third Streets. The instrumentation will allow the gas company to take immediate readings of its Lamar customers from satellite telemetry that is being installed through […]
Wind Energy Guide Available for Rural Landowners
LAKEWOOD, Colo. – A new resource created for Colorado agricultural producers and rural dwellers eliminates guess-work for landowners interested in harnessing wind power. The resource video and booklet, entitled Colorado Wind Energy Installation Guide for Agriculture and Rural Applications, explains how to evaluate a site’s wind energy potential, select the right wind turbine and tower […]
Burn Firewood, Not Your Money
With the colder months just around the corner, many Colorado Consumers may turn to the use of firewood as an alternative means of reducing heating costs. Consequently, consumer purchases of firewood will increase statewide. Unfortunately, many consumers will pay a lot for firewood, without receiving the amount they think they purchased. The Colorado Department of […]
Alta Vista Students Rock the Gym
Boy, did they have a good time! The youngest of the Alta Vista school students probably didn’t fully comprehend the award being given to this school this past Tuesday, October 16, but they definitely understood, “It’s time to sing”. The Alta Vista Charter School had the distinction of being the first school in the nation to achieve […]
Congressman Gardner Meets with Lamar Council
Touching upon such subjects as Wind Production Tax Credit, the Arkansas Valley Conduit, agricultural growth in Colorado, the national budget and EPA restrictions, U.S. Fourth Congressional District Congressman, Cory Gardner, met with the Lamar City Council and department heads this past Friday, October 5. Gardner was touring a portion of his district in southeast […]
RE-2 School District Receives $1.8M BEST Grant
Washington, Parkview and the Lamar Middle schools have secured a BEST grant for $1.8 million to improve their HVAC systems. The application for the grant was made last spring and the school district received word it had been approved this past summer. BEST is an acronym for Building Excellent Schools Today. RE-2 District Superintendent, David […]
ARPA Files Motion to Have Court Reconsider Recent Ruling
The Arkansas River Power Authority (ARPA) and Lamar Utilities Board (LUB) filed a motion yesterday asking the U.S. District Court in Denver to reconsider its September 28, 2012 order, finding that the Lamar Repowering Project had been constructed in violation of the federal Clean Air Act. The order was entered in connection with a […]
City of Lamar Sales Tax Revenue Squeaks into a Gain for September
Revenue was up less than a full percentage point for the August Use and Sales Tax, collected this past September, at 0.82%. That marks an increase over last year at $2,227.91 for City and Use Tax collections. 2011 revenues were at $271,596.95 for the month and 2012 showed revenues at $273,824.86. Year-to-Date figures for City […]
Lamar Light Plant Could Remain Idle for Years
Rick Rigel, General Manager for ARPA, addressed the Lamar Utility Board on the regional power supplier’s current financial status through this past August. During the Tuesday, October 9 meeting, Rigel also outlined ARPA’s 2013 budget and discussed the challenges and goals the company will face next year. Rigel mentioned the possibility that the Repowering […]
City Holds Public Hearing on 2013 Budget, Light Plant Discusses Rate Reduction
While not finalized yet, the Lamar City Council reviewed the city’s 2013 budget during Monday night’s public hearing, October 8. City Administrator, John Sutherland, said that although the 2013 figures are reflected in the proposed budget ordinance, more discussion will be held with the council and department heads on October 19. Sutherland said tax revenues […]