This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
On May 30, 2019, the owner communities of the Platte River Power Authority signed an extension to the organic contract.
The original organic contract was signed in 1975 and authorized Platte River to provide wholesale power to its owner communities as a political subdivision.
The new power supply agreements (PSA) will extend through 2060, providing "long-term stability for Platte River to make needed business decisions," states a Platte River press release.
“Platte River has served our northern Colorado communities very well for the past 45 years and will continue to move the organization foreward,” said Todd Jirsa, Estes Park mayor and board chair of Platte River. “I’m pleased to help move everyone toward a new energy future.”
The changes made to the PSA include:
- A provision allowing third-party energy providers to site solar generating capacity on customer property and to sell output to the customer
- Changing the metering point at substations to prepare for a wholesale electricity market
- Creating a mechanism for routine updating of the PSAs to reflect changes in the electric industry
- Updating the description of the delivery substations
“The updated PSA will now enable our owner communities to provide their customers with greater energy resource flexibility and help us pursue opportunities with a regional energy market, which is necessary to achieve our non-carbon energy goals,” said Jason Frisbie, general manager and CEO of Platte River.
According to the press release, "The organic contract and PSAs took effect immediately upon the signatures of the mayors and Frisbie." Mayor Brian Bagley signed the contract on behalf of the City of Longmont.
