A green light for Tri-State (and a yellow)

FERC says yes to partial-requirements option but rate increase is provisional

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association has received approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for its partial-requirements contract, called Bring Your Own Resource.

The program, which was several years in the making, allows participating member cooperatives to supply up to 40% of their own power needs.

Under the program, members can individually or together propose projects during a regular program cycle for assessment by a third-party evaluator for reliability, economic and environmental criteria.

The 2024 program cycle cap is expected to accommodate about 350 megawatts of resources coming online prior to July 2028.

Following the initial program cycle beginning this fall, subsequent program cycles will occur every two years.

“We are thrilled about the prospect of developing a sizable renewable project, one that promises to create a lasting legacy for our members,” said Jeff Wadsworth, chief executive of Fort Collins-based Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association.

“This endeavor is more than just a project; it’s a commitment to a future shaped by our collective vision and dedication to a brighter tomorrow.,”

“Tri-State’s BYOR Tariff is hereby accepted, effective Aug. 6,” said the commission order on Aug. 2.

In a different matter, after 7.5 years of flat and lower wholesale rates for members, Tri-State increased member wholesale rates an average 6.3% effective Aug. 1.

This rate increase proposal was accepted by FERC but is subject to refund, depending upon a future ruling by FERC. In other words, FERC accepted the proposal but has not approved it. It has also accepted previous new rate proposals from Tri-State but ultimately rejected them as violating rules governing FERC-eligible utilities. Tri-State had sought FERC regulation in 2019.

“Tri-State’s members worked together to develop and support our new wholesale rate,” said Duane Highley, Tri-State CEO. “Importantly, Tri-State can recover the costs necessary to reliably and affordably advance our clean energy transition, even as we manage costs and increase our competitiveness.”

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