San Miguel Power Association, Inc.

March 2010

SMPA's Power of Knowlege Tournament set for May 1- San Miguel Power Association, Inc. (SMPA) will host the 15th annual Power of Knowledge Tournament on May 1, 2010 at Telluride Middle School/High School. Registration and breakfast will begin at 8:00 am. The tournament will begin at 9:00 am and conclude at approximately 3:00 pm.

The Power of Knowledge tournament is open to teams of students in grades 3 - 12, who live or attend school within SMPA's service territory. Alternative and home schooled students are also welcome. Teams are typically made up of three students with alternates and compete in one of three divisions - elementary, middle school or high school.

The tournament is held each spring in a different location within SMPA's service territory. Teams from across the co-op's seven county area gather for a day of written and oral competition. In 2009, SMPA welcomed 14 teams. Team Telluride Elementary One and Telluride Middle School One took first place in their respective divisions.

For detailed information about registration, teams, and guidelines, contact Aimee at SMPA, (970) 864-7311 or aimee@smpa.com.

SMPA Partners with Governor's Energy Office for Rebate Programs - San Miguel Power Association, Inc. (SMPA) will once again partner with the Governor's Energy Office (GEO) to provide energy conservation and renewable energy rebates to its members in 2010. Through the partnership, SMPA secured $195,000 in matching funds that will help the co-op fund rebates for:

Residential and commercial solar PV (solar electric) generation systems
Residential and commercial wind generation systems
Home energy audits
Insulation and air sealing measures

"We are excited about what this partnership means for our members," said SMPA General Manager Kevin Ritter. "By pooling our resources with the GEO, we can help more members make energy efficiency and renewable energy part of their everyday lives."

The programs will launch April 19, 2010. Rebate amounts for renewable energy systems vary depending on the size and type of installation. Members will receive a rebate of $3/watt with a maximum of $9,000 for residential solar PV systems and a maximum of $30,000 for commercial solar PV systems. Members will receive a rebate of $2/watt with a maximum of $15,000 for residential wind systems and a maximum of $30,000 for commercial wind systems.

Rebate amounts also vary for the home energy audit program. Depending on the amount a member pays for their audit, they can receive a rebate ranging from $25 to $100. Members who install energy efficient insulation and take air sealing measures can receive a rebate up to $600. Program funds are first come, first served.

SMPA advises members to contact the GEO for full program details and eligibility guidelines prior to making a financial investment. Visit the GEO website, www.colorado.gov/energy, after April 19, 2010. For inquiries before that date, contact Brad Zaporski, SMPA Renewable Energy Technician at (970) 626-0221 or brad@smpa.com. General questions can also be directed to the GEO by email to rebates@state.co.us.

The GEO is also offering rebates for Energy Star appliances such as clothes washers, dish washers and refrigerators. The rebates on kitchen appliances range from $50 to $100. These rebates are available in addition to the ones SMPA provides in cooperation with their wholesale power supplier, Tri-State Generation and Transmission. For more information visit our energy efficiency rebates webpage.

Nomination Packets Available for San Miguel Power Board Positions - San Miguel Power Association, Inc. (SMPA) will have two board positions up for election this year. The director representatives for District 3 and 6 will be elected at the co-op's annual meeting to be held June 5, 2010 at the San Miguel County Fairgrounds. The district areas are listed below.

District 3: Norwood Town, Rural Norwood, Rico, Elk Mountain, Placerville, Specie Mesa
District 6: Ridgway, Colona, Idlewilde Estates, East Log Hill, Elk Meadows

Members living within those districts who are interested in running for a board position must pick up a nomination packet from SMPA. For further information or questions please contact, SMPA Executive Secretary Toni Bertorello, (970) 626-5549 or toni@smpa.com.

Nominees must reside within the district for which they are running and return their nomination petition, signed by 15 or more registered members from within that district, on or before 5:30 pm, April 20, 2010. SMPA will not be responsible for missed deadlines due to delays in mail service. Nomination petitions can be mailed or dropped off in person at any of the following office locations:

Mailing Address
PO Box 1150, Ridgway, CO 81432
Physical Address
170 W. 10th Avenue, Nucla, CO 81424
720 N. Railroad Street, Ridgway, CO 81432

SMPA board members serve four year terms and have the responsibility of setting the strategic direction for the cooperative. Directors are required to represent the membership on a fair and impartial basis for the best interest of all members and attend regularly scheduled board meetings. Attendance at national, state and local meetings, where the interest of San Miguel Power is concerned, is often necessary as well.

"Directors deal with many complex issues facing the changing utility environment. They must invest the time to learn and stay abreast of these issues to effectively represent the members in board decisions," explained SMPA General Manager Kevin Ritter.