Platte River Power Authority

Thank you to customers in Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland who reduced electricity use in response to our July 20 conservation alert. Small actions across thousands of homes help maintain grid reliability for everyone. 💡⚡

UPDATE: The Southwest Power Pool has downgraded the Energy Emergency Alert to Level 1, reflecting improved conditions across the region. While the situation has stabilized, we encourage customers in our owner communities to continue conserving electricity through the evening as a precaution in the event market conditions change.

ALERT: Widespread high temperatures, generation resource outages and low output from wind and solar resources across the western footprint of the Southwest Power Pool has prompted the regional transmission organization to issue an energy emergency alert in the region, including the Platte River Power Authority. Customers in Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland are asked to reduce electricity use today between now and 9 p.m.

Hot weather is here. Before you turn the thermostat down another notch, check out these simple ways to help stay cool and save energy this summer. Which tip do you already use at home? 🌡️⚡ #EnergySavingTips #HeatWave #AmericanPublicPowerAssociation #APPA

The Colorado legislative session may be over, but the work doesn't stop. Behind the scenes, Platte River's external affairs team is already helping shape conversations around reliability, affordability, data centers, emissions goals and the future of energy in Colorado. Discover why the most effective advocacy often happens long before a bill reaches the Capitol floor. Read more: prpa.org/other-news/leg…

What's the riff raff with the riprap? We are so glad you asked. Along the shoreline of Hamilton Reservoir at Rawhide Energy Station, large rocks are doing more than blending into the landscape. They play a critical role in protecting dam infrastructure and supporting long-term reliability for our owner communities. Learn how proactive maintenance, dam safety evaluations and a culture of continuous improvement help keep our systems strong—one layer at a time. Read more: prpa.org/other-news/wha…

We understand that energy decisions matter deeply to our owner communities. The transition to a cleaner energy future is underway. We are driven by our owner communities’ decisions and our shared goals as we serve them: ✅ Lower emissions ✅ Affordable power ✅ A strong local economy As a community-owned utility, our responsibility is to: 👂 Listen to our owner communities 🗓️ Plan responsibly for the future 🤝 Make decisions based on sound data

🌞 As temperatures rise, here are a few simple ways to stay cool: ❄️Close those curtains! Master the art of sun-blocking like a pro. ❄️Set it smart! Use a programmable thermostat to stay chill. ❄️Time it right! Run big appliances during non-peak hours for maximum efficiency. Dive into more energy-saving tips at EfficiencyWorks.org. Stay cool, stay efficient! #HeatWaveHacks #StayCool #EnergySavings

At Platte River, our approach to modernizing our grid includes: ✔️Distributed energy resources (DERs) ✔️A Virtual Power Plant (VPP) to connect DERs ✔️Electrification ✔️Community-based energy solutions These are important parts of the future grid. At the same time, large-scale infrastructure at a wholesale level like Platte River’s model remains essential to help: ✔️Support regional demand ✔️Maintain reliability We are thankful to be working together with and guided by our owner communities through this transition.

Right now, utilities across the country are facing: 🕥 Long lead times for turbines and transformers 🔋 Limited availability of grid-scale battery systems 📈 Cost volatility for all types of materials and construction These constraints directly affect timelines and costs. What this means for planning: ✔️ Projects must be secured early 📊 Delays can push availability back years and increase costs ❎ Not all alternatives are immediately deployable at scale At Platte River, we incorporate these realities into every decision to help maintain timely and reliable service for our owner communities.

From all of us at Platte River, we wish you a safe and happy holiday weekend! Our headquarters building will be closed today. As always, the Rawhide Energy station will continue operations and provide safe, reliable power to our owner communities. #IndependenceDay 🎆

Our Resource Diversification Policy was passed by our board of directors back in 2018, positioning Platte River to be an industry leader in renewable resource transition. Across the United States, public power utilities are making similar decisions: ☀️Adding renewables 🔋Investing in storage 🏁Deploying fast-start, flexible, natural gas backup generation Utilities everywhere are navigating the same realities: ⬆️Increasing renewable generation ⬆️Rising peak demand 🤝Reliability expectations that will not be compromised We are proud to be part of a broader, coordinated shift.

Prepared, practiced and ready! 🔥 Our Emergency Response Team participated in scenario-based training designed to strengthen rescue skills and team coordination in real-world situations. The training helps meet certification requirements, including the annual live-fire burn and gives us the opportunity to train alongside our mutual aid partners at @poudrefire.

Why do we need new aeroderivative (aero) turbine natural gas generation resources? These aero units are not traditional, always-on power plants. What makes them different: 🏁They are fast-starting (can ramp up quickly when needed) 🕥They run only during peak demand or low renewable output 🤝They are designed to support—not replace—renewables Why this matters: As wind and solar increase, the grid needs flexible backup resources to maintain reliability when: ☁️The sun isn’t shining 🌤️The wind isn’t blowing ⬆️Demand spikes unexpectedly Without these resources, the risk of outages due to intermittency in renewable resources increases. The aeros will help us continue forward on the transition, while keeping the lights on.

Our team was proud to roll up our sleeves today to support the Veteran’s Community Project in Longmont, just in time for American Public Power Association’s Day of Giving! From exterior painting to groundskeeping, staff came together to make a meaningful impact, helping improve spaces that serve those who have given so much to our country. Giving back to our neighbors is what public power is all about.

Platte River is actively transitioning to a cleaner energy portfolio, but reliability remains non-negotiable. Here’s the reality of modern grids: ➡️Wind and solar are variable resources ➡️Battery storage is growing, but still has duration limits ➡️Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and unpredictable That means a reliable, environmentally friendly grid must include: ✅ Renewable energy ✅ Storage ✅ Flexible, dispatchable backup This balanced approach helps our communities maintain power when it matters most: 💡Hospitals stay powered 💡Businesses stay open 💡Homes stay safe Every second. Every hour. Every day. Every season. #PublicPower

Platte River Power Authority is proud to be a community-owned utility by the four municipalities it serves: Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont, and Loveland. This local ownership means we are #PublicPower driven by the values of our communities. Earlier this month, councilmembers and trustees from our four owner communities had the opportunity to tour our Rawhide Energy Station and learn more about our steadfast work to building a resilient, clean energy future.

Congratulations to Wyatt Rickman, recipient of Platte River’s 2026 Roy J. Rohla Memorial Scholarship! 🎓⚡ A recent Skyline High School graduate, Wyatt will attend Southeast Community College this fall to pursue an intensive lineworker certification program, with plans to work on high-voltage transmission lines. The annual $6,000 scholarship honors former Platte River employee Roy J. Rohla and supports students from Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland who are pursuing careers in the energy industry. Join us in wishing Wyatt success as he powers his future! Read more: prpa.org/news-releases/…

Bike to Work (or Wherever) Day is HERE! 🚲 Join us tomorrow, June 24 from 6:30–9:30 a.m. for a fun stop along your morning ride! We’re teaming up with Forney Industries at our station off Horsetooth & the Power Trail (next to Collindale Golf Course). Pedal over, grab some snacks and enjoy the fun. We can’t wait to see you there! 🌞

Experts from @BerkeleyLab @SPPorg and @PRPAuthority joined WGA to explore how improving the interconnection process can reduce queue backlogs, lower development risk, and accelerate the deployment of new #energy resources. Watch here: ow.ly/ScPt50ZcqkN