All Entries Tagged With: "ARPA"
ARPA Re-Evaluating Power Plant Options-1st Public Hearing June 11
The Arkansas River Power Authority (ARPA) Board of Directors recently announced that it is re-evaluating the long-term options for the Lamar Repowering Project to determine how to best meet its members’ future energy needs. The boiler for the coal-fired power plant has not been able to comply with its air emissions guarantees, and the plant […]
Lamar Council Appoints New Mayor Pro-Tem, Receives ARPA Briefing on Coal Plant
Lamar has been designated as an official “Relay for Life City” by the American Cancer Society and the city council approved a proclamation in recognition and support of the Lamar Relay for Life event Friday through Saturday morning, June 6-7 at Savage Stadium. Sherry Kerr, representing the Relay committee at the council meeting said […]
ARPA to Decide on Future of the Lamar Repowering Project
Arkansas River Power Authority General Manager, Rick Rigel, briefed members of the Lamar Utility Board regarding what may become of the Lamar Repowering Project. There are basically two alternatives to consider. One would be to place the plant in cold standby until approximately 2024 with no guarantee that it will perform up to expectations at […]
Lamar City Council Names New Member
The newest member of the Lamar City Council was approved to replace Skip Ruedeman’s Ward 2 seat following his resignation. Following an interview, the council selected Gerry Jenkins to fill the remainder of Ruedeman’s term. Jenkins has been employed by Rocky Mountain SER for a number of years as well as a member of Voces […]
Holly Trustees Approve Variances
The Holly Town Trustees went through a light agenda during their monthly meeting, Wednesday, May 7, approving a property variance, an easement and abatement for Holly residents. The Trustees, acting on the recommendation from the town’s Variance Board, approved the recommendation for work being done on the property owned by Lenny Thompson at North […]
Holly Trustees Reject Electric Rate Tariff Increase
The Holly Board of Trustees unanimously voted not to pass an ordinance which would have modified the electric rate tariff schedules for the town. Those trustees who spoke against it prior to the vote, Campbell, Jones, Lyons and Sitts, said they could not support the size of the increases which would have fallen to […]
Holly Trustees Set April 2 Public Hearing for Electric Rate Modifications
The Holly Trustees set a public hearing date for 7pm, Wednesday, April 2 for discussion of proposed electric rate modifications to meet the costs of electric energy services provided by the Town of Holly Electric Department. If approved, the rate adjustments will be retroactive by one day, to the beginning of the month, April […]
ARPA Files Suit Against Babcock & Wilcox
On February 28, 2014 the Arkansas River Power Authority filed a lawsuit against Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc. (B&W) which supplied the coal-fired steam boiler for the Lamar Repowering Project. The boiler was never able to meet its emissions guarantees. As a result of B&W’s failure to deliver a fully functioning boiler capable […]
PCDI Annual Banquet set for LCC Wellness Center March 5
The annual Prowers County Development Incorporated banquet meeting will be held Wednesday, March 5 at 6:30pm at the LCC Wellness Center. PCDI Executive Director, Lance Benninghoff said the keynote speaker is Marci Penner of the Kansas Sampler Foundation. Penner will discuss succession planning and how to preserve and sustain rural culture. Benninghoff said he will […]
ARPA Bringing Lawsuit Against Light Plant Boiler Manufacturer
ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority, is going back to court. The utility company filed to bring a lawsuit against the boiler manufacturer used in the Lamar Repowering Project. Babcock & Wilcox, according to a news release from ARPA, “has failed to deliver a fully functioning Boiler for the Lamar Repowering Project and failed to meet the […]
Lamar Utility Board, City Council and ARPA Hold Executive Session
Members of the Lamar Utilities Board and Lamar City Council met in executive session Tuesday, January 28, at the Light Plant offices, to receive legal advice on Specific Legal Questions Regarding a Report on Multi-Party Mediation, Attorney/Client Communication. Attorneys John Lefferdink and Garth Nieschburg, along with ARPA General Manager, Rick Rigel was in attendance […]
2013 Year in Review for Prowers County: March & April
The Prowers Journal is Providing a Month by Month Recap of the News Events that Highlighted the Past Year March 2013 Year in Review Continued concerns over the price of electricity, first voiced in 2012 by several major power purchasers was voiced at a public hearing held by Rick Rigel, General Manager for the regional […]
Holly Trustees Set 2014 Budget, Delay 4 Day Work Week Action
The annual 2014 budget for the Town of Holly, as outlined by Administrator Marsha Willhite, included various town services such as administrative, fire, police, streets, library, recreation and utility departments. The mill levy for 2014, which also was passed by a resolution vote, has not changed, at 28.866 mills and has stayed constant for […]
PCDI/ARPA Partnering on Supplemental Environmental Projects
Lance Benninghoff, Executive Director of Prowers County Development Incorporated, will serve as the third party administrator for an ARPA environment project which was a portion of a consent decree settlement between Arkansas River Power Authority and WildEarth Guardians. PCDI will be paid a 5% administrative fee and out of pocket expenses for Benninghoff for the […]
Lamar Utilities Board Approves 2014 Budget, Cook Leaves for City Council
The Lamar Utilities Board approved the budget for 2014 for Lamar Light and Power operations, tabled from their October 15 meeting. One portion of the budget focuses on the Lamar Repowering Project. Those expenses are funded through ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority. The other portion determines the revenue requirements needed from electric retail rates consisting […]
PCDI Gaining Income on Washington Street Rental Property
The Prowers County Development Incorporated board of directors voted to adopt the general operating budget for 2014, as well as the incentives property budget. Portions of the former Big R warehouse on East Washington Street have been rented over the past several months and a formal annual budget is warranted. Office space is being […]
Lamar Utilities Board Delays Budget Approval
The Lamar Utilities Board postponed until their next meeting, October 29, any action on the proposed 2014 budget, pending the approval of the city budget by the Lamar City Council. One action follows another and the city council postponed their budget action until a special public hearing meeting scheduled for October 21. The city council […]
County Hears Holly Saddle Club Building Project, Receives ARPA Update
The Prowers County Commissioners have offered an initial letter of support to the Holly Saddle Club, which plans to secure funding for the construction of an indoor/outdoor community pavilion at the Holly Racetrack fairgrounds. The commissioners discussed an outline of the project which includes a 120 by 80 foot pavilion featuring a community kitchen, […]
Letter to the Editor – The Elephant Story
Many years ago a group of villages needed some work done and after much discussion it was decided they would buy an elephant. When the elephant arrived many were excited to see him do the work, but it took a while for the elephant to become accustomed to its surroundings. But the villagers were very […]
New Member Joins the Lamar Utility Board
Howard Hobbs was sworn in as the newest member of the Lamar Utility Board, Tuesday, September 24, by District Court Judge Stan Brinkley. He is filling in the vacancy left when Don Steerman’s term expired. The board membership is currently at full capacity, but the membership will be subject to a future change when member […]