The La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) Board of Directors passed a resolution at its meeting yesterday clarifying the role of the cooperative in bringing broadband services to local communities. The resolution, which passed 11 to 1, outlines the following LPEA strategic goal for broadband communications: LPEA will pursue a funding and partnership strategy that will enable broadband connections to its membership by 2030 without increasing electric rates to do so.
On August 19, 2020, the LPEA Board of Directors voted to re-establish the Broadband Committee, which was initially established in August 2019. The committee was responsible for drafting an overall broadband strategy recommendation, with the help of external consultant Magellan Advisors, for consideration by the LPEA board. Now that this has been completed, the committee will be discontinued and LPEA will move ahead on next steps.
“After a thorough process of examining our options and the impacts of these options, the LPEA board is excited to have a clear path forward on broadband,” said LPEA Board President John Witchel. “I want to thank our members for their active and enthusiastic participation in this process to date. This will provide a boon to our community as a solid broadband network is a strong economic driver.”
“With this goal, LPEA is not investing any funds beyond those already approved for the operation of our electric grid,” said LPEA CEO Jessica Matlock. “LPEA was already planning to install 250 miles of fiber for reliability and safety reasons over the next five years, and that can now also act as the interstate for local broadband traffic. With this clear direction from the board, and through a combination of partnerships that capitalize on state and federal grant dollars, LPEA’s investment can now be multiplied several times over to benefit our communities.”
More details on this process can be found at https://lpea.coop/broadband-committee.
Speaking on behalf of LPEA, it was great to see so many smiling faces at the recent La Plata County Fair. Thanks to those who came by to say “hi” and spin our prize wheel.
We have many more opportunities to connect in the coming months. We will host our annual Member Appreciation Lunches on September 22 in Durango, and September 23 in Pagosa Springs. Stop by for a free meal, live entertainment, and your chance to win some fun door prizes — including an electric lawnmower!
Make sure to also pre-register for LPEA’s 2021 Annual Meeting, to be held virtually on October 6th at 6pm. Read on for more details and other news from LPEA.
2021 LPEA Annual Meeting
Join LPEA for our virtual 2021 Annual Meeting! The agenda includes presentations on LPEA’s 2020 accomplishments, finances, and a live Q&A session with our members. Pre-registration is required. Attendees will be entered to win numerous door prizes. Winners will be drawn at the conclusion of the meeting.
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
6:00 – 7:30pm on Zoom
Agenda: TBA
Registration: HERE
To support social distancing efforts amidst COVID-19, LPEA hosted a partial, virtual annual meeting on Thursday, June 17, 2021 solely for the purpose of electing and seating new directors.
2020 LPEA Annual Meeting
To support social distancing efforts amidst COVID-19, LPEA hosted a partial, virtual annual meeting on Saturday, May 16th, 2020 solely for the purpose of electing and seating new directors. The remainder of the annual meeting was canceled. In addition to director election announcements, LPEA answered previously submitted questions from members. Questions and answers have been included in LPEA’s Fact Checker.
Hillary Knox is VP of Communications at La Plata Electric Association, Inc. (LPEA)