All Entries in the "Energy" Category
Kim Verhoeff Appointed Lamar Municipal Court Judge
Attorney Kim Verhoeff was the lone applicant to show interest in replacing Larry Stutler as the Municipal Court Judge for the City of Lamar. Stutler has tendered his resignation from the office effective December 31, 2014. He has been the Municipal Court Judge since 2008 and following the November General Election, was set for […]
Holly Trustees Approve 2015 Budget
The Holly Trustees approved the 2015 budget following a hearing that preceded the regular monthly meeting this past Wednesday, November 5. Total General Fund expenditures for 2015 are projected at $354,442, only slightly below the current year estimate of $355,216 Revenue for 2015 from other than property taxes is $283,653. The mill levy is expected […]
Lamar Utility Board Seeking Alternative Power Sources for Light Plant
The Lamar Utility Board ratified a letter of intent between LUB and Greencastle, an energy development firm from Ohio. The letter directs Greencastle to perform an exclusive feasibility study which will focus on options for the future use of the Lamar Repowering Project. Greencastle is a full service energy developer that specializes in renewable energy […]
Judge Denies Lamar’s Restraining Order Request Against ARPA & Syncora
The City of Lamar and Lamar Utilities Board were denied a request for a temporary restraining order against ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority and bonding agent, Syncora Guarantee, during a hearing conducted this past Wednesday, October 22. A Senior Judge, Scott Epstein, ruled that the parties will have 90 days to come to some form […]
Lamar Utility Board Approves 2015 Budget
The 2015 Lamar Light Plant budget was passed by the Lamar Utility Board during their meeting, Tuesday, October 14. The budget, according to Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh, is in two sections. One budget deals with the revenue requirements for Operations for the transmission and distribution of electricity. The second deals with the Lamar Repowering […]
Redevelopment Authority Board Approves Funds for Antique Alley
The Lamar Redevelopment Authority Board approved the funding request from Antique Alley at 101 South Main Street for an HVAC system at the new store. The amount of the request, according to Shawna Hodge, Lamar’s Main Street Director, is $8,380 and the business owners will contribute $931 in matching funds. The business, the former […]
Thrall Joins Lamar Utility Board
The Lamar Utility Board officer line-up was reorganized following the swearing-in of Doug Thrall to the board on Tuesday, September 30, by Judge Larry Stutler. Thrall’s appointment was confirmed the night before by the Lamar City Council for a full, five-year term. There were no changes in the actual line-up as Mike Bryant […]
ARPA Board Continues to Evaluate Power Plant Options
Press Release At its meeting on September 25, the Arkansas River Power Authority (ARPA) Board of Directors approved a resolution finding that it would be economically beneficial to dispose of and/or decommission the Lamar Repowering Project, rather than continue to maintain it in “cold standby”. This finding was based on reports prepared by a variety […]
CO Revenue Forecast Shows Continued Growth
DENVER — Monday, Sept. 22, 2014 — The latest revenue forecast shows continued growth with the state’s General Fund revenue expected to grow 7.4 percent in FY 2014-15 and 6.4 percent in FY 2015-16. Projections show an increase of $80.9 million in FY 2014-15, or 0.8 percent higher than compared to the June […]
Electricity Thieves “Play” with Fire
Some people are stealing electricity from Lamar Light and Power and their illegal hookups have the potential for danger. Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh, told the Lamar Utilities Board, his crews have come upon several instances where people ‘jump’ an electrical meter to skip out on payments. Fortunately, it’s not a widespread situation, but Hourieh […]
Task Force Created for Local Issues Over Oil-Gas Development
Gov. Hickenlooper announces members of oil and gas task force to address local authority, land use and oil and gas development DENVER — Monday, Sept. 8, 2014 — Gov. John Hickenlooper today announced the members of the task force that will address land use issues and the role of state and local government in […]
Holly Trustees Discuss Insurance, Utilities
The Holly Trustees scheduled a work session in preparation for the 2015 budget. “As the utilities comprise the largest portion of the budget, I recommend we begin there,” said Marsha Willhite, City Administrator. The session is set for September 15 and discussion will also focus on the costs associated with funding a town police […]
ARPA Files Motion to Dismiss City of Lamar/Lamar Ratepayers Lawsuit
Arkansas River Power Authority, in an August 10 news release, filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit against the southeast Colorado power organization regarding the Lamar Repowering Project: “Stating that the retail customers identified as plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed against ARPA in July are not parties to the ARPA contracts; and therefore, have no […]
Anderson Departs Lamar Utilities Board
The Lamar Utility Board passed a resolution recognizing outgoing chairman David Anderson for his service to the community over the past five years. He was presented with a unique combination clock and functional electric meter by Lamar Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh, during the Tuesday meeting, July 29. Hourieh noted that Anderson’s departure leaves […]
City of Lamar Joins Citizen Lawsuit Against ARPA, Nieschburg Resigns from ARPA Board
The Lamar City Council last night, July 14, approved a resolution to join a citizens’ lawsuit regarding the electrical energy rates charged by the Lamar Electrical Department and Contractual Relationships between member cities and ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority and the bond holders or insurers (Syncora Guarantee, Inc.) of the Lamar Repowering Project. The resolution […]
Lamar City Council Goes Hardball with ARPA
For all of their two votes at the ARPA membership table, the Lamar City Council authorized their representatives to vote no on approving a resolution to reaffirm the organic contract with the Arkansas River Power Authority and revenue bond insurer, Syncora. Lamar City Attorney, Garth Nieschburg and Lamar Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh, were also […]
Decision Time for Lamar City Council on ARPA
As ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority, representatives weigh their options on whether to place the Lamar Repowering Project in cold standby status or decommission the coal plant, the Lamar City Council sought suggestions for their next steps from residents during a public meeting Wednesday, July 2. The ARPA board will meet to ponder and perhaps […]
Lamar City Council Calls Executive Session Dealing with Power Company Concerns
The Lamar City Council will go directly into executive session after opening a special meeting on Tuesday, July 8, at 6pm in council chambers. There is no word on how long the meeting may last, but the council agenda has listed several options for the council following the executive session which was called for […]
Part 2 of the Proposed Lamar Parks, Trails and Recreation Master Plan, Reviewed June 24
Bicentennial Park is easily the most visible open space area in the City of Lamar, due to its proximity to Main Street, just south of the Municipal Building. Except for some special occasions, the park is seldom used. Last year, a locally produced mural was erected on the property as part of the […]
PCDI Board Briefed on Repowering Project Options
The monthly Prowers County Development Incorporated meeting on June 24th was highlighted by guest, ARPA General Manager, Rick Rigel who briefed PCDI board members on a brief history of events relating to present developments for the future of the Lamar Repowering Project. Rigel has met with representatives from several municipal groups, as well as […]