Renewable Energy Standard
PrintColorado’s renewable energy standard (RES) requires each cooperative electric association to generate or cause to be generated renewable or recycled energy in the following minimum amounts:
One percent of its retail electricity sales in Colorado for each of the compliance years 2008 through 2010; Three percent of its retail electricity sales in Colorado for each of the compliance years 2011 through 2014; Six percent of its retail electricity sales in Colorado for each of the compliance years 2015 through 2019; and Ten percent of its retail electricity sales in Colorado for each of the compliance years beginning in 2020 and continuing thereafter.
Sangre de Cristo Electric Association, Inc. (SDCEA) is a distribution cooperative, meaning we purchase rather than generate the power we sell. We have an all-power requirements contract with Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, which serves 44-member distribution cooperatives in Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming, and New Mexico. Tri-State is also a cooperative. SDCEA currently obtains its own renewable energy from Trout Creek Solar and its rooftop solar customers. The letters linked to this page indicate how we meet our RES requirements.
While there may be other viable renewable energy projects that could help us meet our RES, SDCEA’s board of directors developed a strategy for the cooperative to meet its RES through projects that benefit the largest number of member consumers. The goal is to use cooperative funds to develop projects for the greatest good. The board directed that SDCEA be kept financially whole when participating in any renewable generation project, to avoid rate impact. The most economical method of meeting our RES is to request that Tri-State purchase sufficient renewable resources for us, if needed from year to year. This is because Tri-State owns and leases large renewable generating facilities, while SDCEA owns, for the most part, only distribution facilities.
