PRPA to resume discussions about noncarbon power generation

FORT COLLINS — Platte River Power Authority will soon resume deliberations and take more public input about its 2020 Integrated Resource Plan. 

Platte River suspended the IRP process on April 1 due to COVID-19 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 has determined that it will restart board deliberations. The public will be able to listen to board discussions and provide input using online video meeting capabilities. 

“When we initially paused the IRP process, we weren’t sure how long the pandemic would last,” Jason Frisbie, general manager and CEO of Platte River, said in announcing the resumption of discussions. “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 re-engage 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 outline a draft IRP document and a recommended path to achieve the 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,” said Frisbie. 

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