All Entries Tagged With: "ARPA"
Anderson Voted to Chair Lamar Utililties Board
The Lamar Utility Board voted to appoint David Anderson as chairman and Ron Cook as vice-chairman during a brief meeting this past Tuesday, August 27. Don Steerman, the former board chairman declined to run for an additional term once his seat in office had expired. That leaves a vacancy on the Lamar Utility Board […]
Public Hearing on North Gateway Park Annexation Scheduled by City Council
The annexation of the Valco Pond area, or North Gateway Park into the City of Lamar, was discussed by the council and City Administrator, John Sutherland. A petition of annexation of the 108.13 acres will be reviewed during a public hearing set for Monday, October 14. The city was deeded the property by Valco […]
PCDI Rents Warehouse to ARPA, Hickenlooper Visit to Lamar Confirmed
ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority, is now renting a portion of the Washington Street property in Lamar, owned by PCDI. Last week, the Colorado State Patrol held an open house for its new local headquarters at the site, renting three of the nine buildings. ARPA will rent one of the warehouses for equipment storage […]
Repairs for Light Plant Turbine, LUB Discusses ARPA Contract
An original wind turbine gearbox owned by Lamar Light and Power needs to be replaced, according to Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh. The turbines, located several miles east of Lamar, are now a decade old. The T-1 turbine is offline because of an abnormal amount of metal shavings found in the unit’s oil filter. The estimated […]
Pedal the Plains Mural Set for Bi-Centennial Park
Shawna Hodge, Lamar Main Street Coordinator, recapped the $1,000 award Lamar received to construct a public art project that will be set in place prior to the Pedal the Plains Bicycle tour in southeast Colorado. The funding from the Colorado Creative Industries will help finance the multi-group project which incorporates artistic submissions from […]
Irrigation Decline Could Impact Light Plant Revenue
Houssin Hourieh, Lamar Light Plant Superintendent, outlined the recent sales of electricity report for this past May during board members bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 9. Year to date sales of electricity were 3.4% lower than this same time last year. Residential customers were approximately 0.5% higher and Commercial and Industrial sales had decreased 5.7% […]
ARPA Resolves Years Long Legal Battle with WildEarth Guardians
ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority and the Lamar Utilities Board have ended their legal battles dating back to 2009 with the environmental group, WildEarth Guardians, over the emissions levels from the Lamar Repowering Project. The agreement resolves two lawsuits filed against the utilities relating to air emissions levels. The utilities groups will pay $450,000 […]
Public Access to Valco Pond by this Summer?
The Lamar City Council discussed opening a portion of Valco Ponds to the public this summer. City Administrator, John Sutherland suggested renaming the site North Gateway Park during the council’s Monday meeting, June 24. Last week he discussed the status of the 108 donated acres with the Prowers County Commissioners regarding vegetation and upkeep of the land. Until the […]
We Can’t Continue with These Electric Rates
Arkansas River Power Authority directors heard from three business owner/operators and a Prowers County Commissioner on how electric rates tied to the Lamar Repowering Project will stifle business growth. The director’s monthly meeting was held in Springfield this past Thursday, May 30. The meetings rotate among six ARPA community members. Jim Miller, owner of […]
Electricity=1, Snake=0
Power was disrupted to the southern section of Lamar mid-morning this past Sunday, May 26, when a snake managed to gain access to the LAMFO substation of Lamar Light and Power. The unauthorized entry came at a price as the snake was zapped as it tripped the main transformer, causing an outage that […]
Commissioners Review Anti-Marijuana Ordinance, Disposal of E-waste and Valco Pond
The Prowers County Commissioners covered several agenda items during their meeting this past Thursday, May 16. John Sutherland and Pat Mason from the City of Lamar discussed initiating written messages or emails between the city and county when materials or equipment is loaned. “I know we’ve had a good relationship in the past among departments […]
LUB/ARPA Award Student Scholarships
The February 2013 financial report for Lamar Light and Power was presented to utility board members during their meeting, Tuesday, May 14. Total operating revenue for February is $992,696 with operating costs of $800,987 for a gross operating profit of $191,710. The net income for the month was $58,968. Year to date operating revenues for […]
Holly Trustees Replace Old Bucket Truck, Nix Golf Carts on Streets
The Holly Board of Trustees approved replacing the aging city bucket truck with a used 2001 model from Lamar Light and Power for $4,500. The current 1990 Ford F350 has a 1989 Versalift device which is aging and has a safety issue with the position of the controls relative to the operator. The 2001 model […]
ARPA Responds to LUB Meeting Request, LUB Youth Job Program Starts in June
Area high school students between 18-21 years of age who have completed their junior year of high school can apply to Lamar Light and Power for employment in the company’s summer youth jobs program. The annual seasonal program offers temporary employment beginning June 3 for eight to ten weeks through the summer. The program […]
Commissioners, Businesses Continue to Push for ARPA Meeting
People still want answers from Arkansas River Power Authority regarding the electric rate structure pertaining to the Lamar Repowering Project and the status and ownership of the bonds sold to finance the conversion of the Lamar natural gas facility to the coal generated plant. The plant has been offline since December before last. Construction […]
Lamar Light and Power Testing New LED Streetlights
Some portions of Lamar will appear different under new street lights that are being tested by Lamar Light and Power. Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh, informed utility board members, four light pole locations have had regular wattage lights replaced with LED versions. The intersections are at Parmenter and 4th Street, Oak Street and Division Street, East […]
Light Agenda for Utility Board Meeting
Only a few items were on the agenda for the Lamar Utility Board’s bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 26. Lamar Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh noted that sales of electricity through the end of February are down 7.3% compared to the same time last year. Residential sales dropped 2.7% and Commercial/Industrial sales were off 11%. […]
Economics Highlight Crowder Town Hall Meeting
Several topics were discussed during the Saturday morning Town Hall meeting held by State Senator, Larry Crowder, and the general focus was on the economic impact of each issue, whether it was gun safety legislation, the repurposing of the former Ft. Lyon Prison in Bent County, Conservation Easements or ARPA electric rates. Crowder, newly […]
No Leeway for Electric Rate Reductions in Near Future
The Lamar Repowering Project and the debt service needed to pay the construction bonds is here to stay, whether the plant is producing electricity or placed in cold storage. And if the rates for purchasing power from a grid, as is being done now seem high, the rates would probably be higher if the […]
Repowering Project Upgrades May Run through 2013
ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority, provided utility board members with a written update on the status of the Repowering Project. The boiler manufacturer, Babcock and Wilcox, has continued to make modifications to allow the unit to operate at maximum potential without exceeding emissions limitations stipulated in the light plant air quality permit. To date, […]