All Entries Tagged With: "ARPA"
Commissioners Hear Businessmen’s Concerns over Electric Rates
Going to ARPA for Answers Several of the county’s major commercial electric users addressed their concerns regarding the high cost of local utilities and its potential negative impact on new and current businesses to the Prowers County Commissioners during their Thursday, February 21 meeting. Doug Morris of JBS Five Rivers, and Rick Robbins of Colorado […]
Light Plant Parts Arriving in Spring
The Lamar Repowering Project may not refire its boilers for new emissions tests until this July, according to Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh. Hourieh informed Utility Board members that a deal to purchase two 600HP air compressors was finalized by the boiler manufacturers on January 18. Babcock and Wilcox will use the new equipment […]
Utility Board OK’s New Rates for General Service Large Class Users
The Lamar Utilities Board held their first meeting for 2013 approving several annual agenda items including designating the front entrance to Lamar Light and Power as the open meeting posting site at 100 North Second Street in Lamar; a resolution establishing the interest rate paid on utility deposits per Public Utilities Commission regulations. There […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Holly Trustees Discuss 2013 Budget, Street Lighting and City Improvements
The Town of Holly Trustee’s Board considered the 2013 budget and some infrastructure improvements during their monthly meeting, Wednesday, October 3. Marsha Willhite, Town Administrator said the trustees would receive preliminary budget information by mid month for their consideration. She added that several RFP’s, requests for proposals will be sent out for town improvement projects […]
ARPA Responds to U.S. District Court Ruling
ARPA Responds to U.S. District Court Ruling On September 28, 2012, the U.S. District Court in Denver issued a ruling that the Arkansas River Power Authority (ARPA) and Lamar Utilities Board (LUB) violated the Clean Air Act by operating the Lamar Repowering Project without a determination that it met the “maximum achievable control technology” standard. […]
U.S. District Judge Rules Against Lamar Light Plant for Emissions Violations
ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority, and members of the Lamar Utility Board, are holding an executive session meeting, Tuesday, October 2, to discuss options in light of a Friday, September 28, 2012 ruling by U.S. District Judge, David Ebel regarding the Lamar Repowering Project. Lamar Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh said the meeting was called […]
Major Power Purchaser Voices Electric Rate Concern to LUB
“My electric bill last month was $15,000 and I and several other local business owners are considering our options on future power purchases from the light plant,” stated Jim Miller, President and sole proprietor of the Ports to Plains Travel Plaza located west of Lamar off Highway 50. Miller voiced those concerns during the Lamar […]
Lamar Utility Board Reviews Portions of 2013 Budget
The System Operating report from the Lamar Utilities Board indicates that Platte River Power Authority plans to end the contract with the board and ARPA for the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates, effective the end of this month. Light Plant Superintendent Houssin Hourieh said Platte River is not taking the option to extend the […]
Holly Trustees Hire Two Employees, Plan for Parking Ordinance Discussion
Two new employees were added to the Holly Town roster recently. Keith Dennis was hired after a series of candidate application interviews, as full time Field Services Supervisor and provided the board with a run down of crew services in Holly for August. Town Administrator, Marsha Willhite, also introduced Claudia Parker who was hired […]
Lamar Utility Board Reviews Customer Disconnect Policies
Most of the discussion during the August 29 Lamar Utility Board meeting focused on items not specifically on the agenda. Lamar Light Plant Superintendent Houssin Hourieh discussed the rules and regulations pertaining to policies for re-connect and disconnect for electric service, mostly for residential customers. The Light Plant follows at 70 page document set […]
ARPA Board Authorizes Filing of a Lawsuit Against Trinidad on Breach of Fiduciary Duties
Press Release The Arkansas River Power Authority (ARPA) authorized its legal counsel to file a lawsuit against the City of Trinidad at a special board meeting held on August 7, 2012. The Complaint asserts that Trinidad breached its fiduciary duties and acted in bad faith assisting the environmental group WildEarth Guardians (WEG) with its lawsuit […]
Holly Town Trustees Approve Theater Improvements
Kammie Cathcart of the Holly Pride Committee discussed structural improvement plans for the Holly Theater with town trustees during their monthly meeting, Wednesday, August 1. Cathcart explained that $30,000 will be needed to bolster a supporting wall which separates the theater from Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel on South Main Street. The wall has been […]
PCDI Board Discusses Utility Rate Impact on Business Growth in County
PCDI board members discussed what effect local utility rates have on potential economic growth and business development in Prowers County during their monthly board meeting, Tuesday, July 31. Lawrence Brase said he had asked Prowers County Development Incorporated Executive Director, Lisa Nolder, to explore the economic impact JBS, Five Rivers feedlot has on the community. […]
Boiler Adjustment Plans Expected by September at Lamar Light Plant
Houssin Hourieh, Lamar Light Plant Superintendent, said representatives from the plant’s boiler manufacturer, Babcock and Wilcox, may submit some design plans in four to six weeks time. Hourieh shared the information with the Lamar Utilities Board during their meeting, Tuesday, July 24. Babcock and Wilcox also had representatives to the light plant last week, […]
LUB Reviews Financials, Approves Scholarship Renewals
The Lamar Utility Board reported that Year to Date electric sales through May of this year were 4.2% lower than the same time last year. Residential, commercial and industrial customer sales were off 5% and irrigation loads were down approximately 16% compared to the same time last year. Total operating revenues for 2012 are […]