Approved Record of the January 26, 2021 Proceedings of the Platte County Commissioners in Wheatland, WY – A special meeting of the Board of County Commissioners was called to order at 10:30 A.M. with the following present: Steve Shockley, Commission Chairman; Ian Jolovich, Commissioner; Kayla Mantle, Commissioner; and Malcolm Ervin, County Clerk. The purpose of the special meeting was the meet with Mr. Duane Highley, CEO, and Mr. Rick Gordon, Board President, of Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association. Numerous members of the public were also in attendance including Town of Wheatland Councilmembers Montoya and Schindler. Mr. Highley explained the role of Tri-State and an Electric Resource Plan filed by Tri-State with the Colorado Public Service Commission. The plan said unit 3 of the Laramie River Station (LRS) would be retired by 2033. Mr. Highley informed the commissioners that “retired” was a poor choice of words. He explained that the states of Colorado and New Mexico have passed legislation requiring approximately 80% of power delivered to their states must be from renewable resources by 2033. Therefore, Tri-State was doubtful that in the future they would be able to purchase power from LRS in the quantities they currently do. However, Tri-State only owns approximately 27% of LRS and is unable to single-handedly make a decision to retire a unit. By 2030, Mr. Highley believes their power usage will be approximately 70% renewable energy and 30% carbon-based energy. Mr. Gordon informed the Commissioners that Tri-State had spent millions of dollars trying to influence state laws and regulations. However, the political climate of the last two years negated their efforts and policies requiring “green” energy were passed regardless of Tri-State’s efforts. Mrs. Mantle explained that she felt it was a harsh reality that a reduction in jobs is a strong possibility as a result of regulations not accepting carbon-based energy. Mr. Highley agreed and cited an example of the closure of the Escalante power plant in New Mexico. Mrs. Mantle said it may seem like 2033 is a long way away but now is the time to start planning for downturn. Tri-State was approached by legislators in the State of New Mexico with plans for economic development studies. Tri-State donated to those affected counties in New Mexico to help fund those economic development studies. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at approximately 11:30 A.M. Approved: /s/Steve Shockley, Chairman. Attest: /s/Malcolm Ervin, County Clerk.
Public Notice No. 10883. To be published in the Platte County Record - Times February 10, 2021.
