All Entries Tagged With: "Repowering Project"
ARPA and LUB Are Settling Lawsuit
The lawsuit between Lamar Light and Power and ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority is drawing to a close and is expected to conclude following ARPA’s monthly meeting set for Thursday, February 25th. Utility Board members voted to approve a proposed settlement with ARPA, Case Number 14CV30045, during their meeting Tuesday, February 23rd. Following an […]
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 […]
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% […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
Light Plant Makes Additional Storm Damage Insurance Claims
The Lamar Utility Board held a brief meeting this past Tuesday, June 26 before adjourning into executive session to receive legal advice regarding WildEarth Guardian litigation and legal questions pertaining to the Lamar Repowering project. Board members award several bids: $115,048 to Altec Industries for a 2012 Bucket Truck with an aerial device; $29,326 […]
Hourieh Accepts Superintendent Position at LUB, Recaps Latest Storm Damage
The agenda for the June 12, 2012 Lamar Utility Board meeting was pushed back to the next regularly scheduled meeting, June 26. There weren’t sufficient board members available to form a quorum and no action could be taken on the agenda, although there was an informal discussion on some subjects that did not require a […]
ARPA/Repowering Project Letter of Support from Area Mayors
The Lamar City Council recently ratified Mayor Roger Stagner’s signature on a letter in support of ARPA’s efforts to put the Repowering Project back on line. The coal fired plant has been out of operation since early 2011. It is not currently able to produce electricity at full capacity, or achieve full output without exceeding the limitations of the state-granted […]