More Newsletters

DMEA Newsletters Show a DMEA that is inconsistent with its present actions

Tri-State, Unclaimed Capital Credits, Rate Increases

A quick review of DMEA Newsletters reveals hypocrisy

(links older than 2006 no longer available on line)

DMEA General Manager's column in the February 2007 Newsletter sounds a bit hypocritical. The very issues and concerns espoused by Mr. McClendon with respect to not renewing DMEA's contract with Tri-State are very similar to the issues and concerns we have regarding DMEA's position with regard to the East Montrose Electric System Improvement Project (EMESIP). The need for this project is driven in large part by growth on the east side of Montrose. Yet the path of the project harms members in northwest and west Montrose as well as east Montrose. As DMEA encourages Tri-State to be more "flexible" and as DMEA "remains open to working with Tri-State in the hope of finding common ground", we too encourage DMEA to be more flexible, and we "remain open to working with DMEA in the hope of finding common ground." We are on the same page as DMEA in that we do not "feel it equitable for residential, small commercial, and other rate payers" to bear the inevitable and very real costs of condemnation of more than 12 miles of private land. Forget the destruction of lives, hopes and dreams. No amount of money could rectify that.

The DMEA September 2006 Newsletter features a column by DMEA General Manger Don McClendon in which he states, "DMEA constantly looks for ways to minimize the effect of rate increases to our members." DMEA General Manager Suggest we all "Cowboy Up." "We know it is our charge to do all we can to help our members, states McClendon, "and we are taking that responsibility seriously." Well, Mr. McClendon, an obvious alternative would be to place the EMESIP on the BLM land, thereby avoiding crippling condemnation costs, when voluntary easements don't materialize, which in turns causes "rate increases to our members." Building the EMESIP over the current proposed route will have absolutely the opposite effect of minimizing rate increases to DMEA members. Construction of this power line over the proposed route harms every member of DMEA. Remember, the property owners in the path of this proposed route are DMEA members as well (and some of them are true "cowboys"). We have already seen rate increases just due to the cost of wholesale power. The current proposed route will only add to rate increases and significantly burden many of DMEA members, especially senior citizens living on fixed incomes.

"Every member deserves the best in comfort and quality of life", states the June 2004 DMEA Newsletter. (link to Newsletter no longer available online)

DMEA highlights donation of unclaimed capital credits for scholarships and school-to-career partnerships. While we applaud charity in the best sense of the word, who decides how "unclaimed capital credits" are used? Individuals should do good works, not Boards of Directors using other people's money. If there is a "slush fund" wouldn't it be wiser and more just, i.e. the "right thing to do", to use this money to reduce electric costs across the board? In the January 2005 Newsletter the board of directors appeal to members for help cutting costs. "Each year roughly $200,000 is written off in uncollectable debt. This adds $7.69 a year to the costs paid by other co-op members. For many . . . this is a significant burden." This burden could be reduced by putting "unclaimed capital credit" monies back into the co-op. If individual DMEA members want to support charities and provide scholarships/partnerships and excellent and just way to do this is the way it is done with Operation Round-Up where members designate on their electric bill if they want to donate to a particular cause.

The December 2004 DMEA newsletter, page four, has a beautiful picture of a mountain cabin in the forest with a majestic mountain as the back drop. Guess what? There are no POWER LINES in this photo to disrupt the "view."