FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Tom Roiniotis, Chairman of Platte River Power Authority's Board of Directors, announced today that Platte River's General Manager Brian Moeck has officially provided his letter of intention to retire. Moeck has expressed a desire to retire June 23, 2012, but is willing to be flexible with the date if it aids transition.
"In my years of experience with many energy utility professionals in both the private and public sectors, Brian Moeck is one of the most effective leaders I've had the pleasure to work with," said Roiniotis. "As General Manager and through his prior years of service on the Board of Directors, Brian has contributed greatly to the success of this organization. With his leadership, Platte River has met the increasing demands of our growing northern Colorado communities, providing the most affordable and reliable electricity in the State, while being sensitive to our environment and remaining a financially strong organization. The Board is now tasked with finding a replacement for Brian and will begin developing a comprehensive process to ensure that this legacy of success continues at Platte River well into the future."
Platte River's Board of Directors named Moeck the utility’s fourth General Manager on April 22, 1999. During his thirteen years at the helm, Moeck has guided the organization through the challenges of rapid growth in electricity demand, increased regulation and economic recession. Among Platte River’s accomplishments during Moeck’s tenure as general manager include:
Generation
Installed five natural-gas turbines at the Rawhide Energy Station to accommodate a 49 percent increase in peak system demand.
Increased the net generating capacity of Rawhide's coal-fired Unit One from 270 megawatts to 280 megawatts by upgrading utilizing newer, more efficient technology and equipment.
Transmission
Enhanced transmission system reliability by constructing additional 230 kilovolt transmission lines into Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland.
Environment
Remained the only Colorado generating utility to never have an environmental violation.
Voluntarily enhanced Rawhide Unit One's environmental equipment and controls, reducing sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide emissions rates 26%, 62% and 18%, respectively.
Installed a state-of-the art mercury removal system at Rawhide Unit 1.
Financial
Earned multiple credit upgrades; raising Platte River's rating to AA, comparable to the nation's highest rated Joint Action Agencies.
Strengthened balance sheet while reducing debt-to-equity ratio from 1.3 to 0.6
Maintained the lowest wholesale electric rates in Colorado.
"I can’t begin to describe how grateful I am for the opportunity to have served Platte River's Board of Directors, my fellow employees and friends in addition to the citizens of Platte River's communities," said Moeck. "My personal goals for Platte River have been to leave behind a strong and healthy organization and a reliable electric system."
Moeck has 43 years of experience associated with the electric industry. As a 1969 graduate electrical engineer from California State University, Long Beach, he began his career with Southern California Edison. He joined the municipal utility in Loveland Colorado, in 1984 and held several positions before becoming City Manager. While with Loveland, he served on the Boards of Directors of the Loveland Chamber of Commerce, the Loveland Economic Development Council and with the leadership of the local United Way. During his time as Platte River's General Manager, Moeck also served on the Boards of Directors of the American Public Power Association, Trapper Mining, Inc. and RMEL (formerly the Rocky Mountain Electric League). He has been Chairman of the Colorado Association of Municipal Utilities and is the current Chairman of the Large Public Power Council. He also served on the Governor's Task Force on Transmission Permitting and Siting in Colorado, was appointed to a statewide panel on climate change and is also a past president of Western States Power Corporation.
In the coming years, Brian plans to spend more time with his three grown children and four grandchildren. He also hopes to engage in more physical activities and "whatever else retired guys do."