We need to elect new La Plata Electric Association board members, ones who will seriously consider the impact rising electric costs are having on families, seniors and businesses in our communities.
LPEA has increased our electric costs more than 45%. There are also concerns about reliability, brownouts and the safety of the Battery Energy Storage System project.
LPEA needs to be honest about solar, wind and batteries being 100% carbon neutral. Solar, wind and batteries require extensive mining, overseas manufacturing, long-distance shipping and thousands of acres of land. Every part of that process has a huge carbon footprint.
Solar and wind require battery storage to provide constant power. The lithium iron phosphate batteries proposed for the BESS project carry concerns about fire risk. Residents of Shenandoah successfully raised concerns about emergency response capabilities, air quality impacts, property values, insurance costs and the industrialization of rural areas.
Meanwhile, we have an abundant supply of locally produced clean natural gas that can provide affordable and reliable electricity that meets strict federal, state and tribal emissions standards.
We need to elect new board members who will focus on practical energy solutions and the financial impact their decisions will have on families, seniors and businesses in our communities.
Patrick Hegarty
Durango