The current EPA officials charged with enforcing this act were, in 2017, partners in this lobbying firm. Indeed, one of these officials was paid $2.1 million that year for this lobbying immediately before he left for the EPA to oversee Clean Air Act implementation.
In April, the House Energy Committee told Tri-State and the other utilities to identify the source of their funding and to “explain how your substantial annual contributions… are consistent with your obligations to ratepayers.” Tri-State must respond by April 25.
Congress’ focus understandably is on the allegations of unethical behavior by EPA officials. There is a much more important concern – Tri-State allegedly has been using our money to gut the Clean Air Act. This is not acceptable. Tri-State’s actions do not reflect the La Plata Electric Association’s values.
My recommendation is that LPEA, with fellow rural co-ops, form a special audit committee to investigate all the money Tri-State has spent for its own political agenda.
In addition, LPEA should file a complaint with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. The PUC, as recently as April 1, reaffirmed that it has regulatory authority to consider complaints alleging that Tri-State has engaged in an unjust and unreasonable practice. Tri-State’s use of LPEA’s money to gut the Clean Air Act constitutes a clear violation of state law.
Jeff Bork
Durango