Public input to be taken digitally, virtually
FORT COLLINS, Colo., August 18, 2020 – Platte River Power Authority will soon resume deliberations with its board of directors and take more public input concerning its 2020 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).
Platte River suspended the IRP process on April 1 due to a statewide outbreak of the COVID-19 virus and subsequent lockdown of business and public activity. The public power provider requested and received a filing extension from the Western Area Power Administration and planned to resume the public process once public gatherings were allowed.
Despite ongoing issues with the pandemic, Platte River’s leadership, with the concurrence of the board, determined the IRP process may resume with all board meeting deliberations made open to the public. The public will have the opportunity to listen to board discussions and provide further input using online video meeting capabilities.
“When we initially paused the IRP process, we weren’t sure how long the pandemic would last,” said Jason Frisbie, general manager and CEO of Platte River. “It’s important for us to continue moving forward with our resource plan and now that we’ve had time to adapt through technology to include public input, we’re excited to reengage with our board and our owner communities.”
Public input to the board and deliberations among board members will be conducted virtually with meeting information made available on Platte River’s website in the days leading up to each board meeting. A phone number will be designated for anyone choosing to call into the meeting.
The IRP process will resume during the Aug. 27 board meeting at which Platte River staff will present board members with a draft IRP document and a recommended path to move toward achieving the Resource Diversification Policy goals. The policy calls for achieving a 100% noncarbon energy mix by 2030 provided key industry milestones can be achieved. At the beginning of the board meeting, anyone residing in Platte River’s four owner communities of Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont or Loveland will be invited to provide comments directly to board members.
“Making a portfolio recommendation is the next step of many steps we need to take on our path toward a noncarbon energy future,” added Frisbie.
More information about Platte River’s IRP can be found on a microsite built for the project. It contains background and timelines for the IRP as well as downloadable studies, reports and survey data developed as part of the process.
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Platte River Power Authority is a not-for-profit wholesale electricity generation and transmission provider that delivers safe, reliable, environmentally responsible and financially sustainable energy and services to its owner communities of Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland, Colorado for delivery to their utility customers. For more information, visit prpa.org.
