HB10-1098 Press Release - Legislative Victory!

[Michael Chiodo]

For Immediate Release

June 11, 2010

Contact:  Michael Chiodo (303) 731-6579

 

IREA Members Laud New Law on Rural Co-op Governance

HB 1098 will increase member involvement and transparency in IREA operations

 

With Governor Ritter’s signature into law of HB 1098, members of Colorado’s rural electric cooperative associations gain important new legal protections that will help ensure accountability and transparency in how these utilities are governed.

 

“Rural co-ops were founded on the principle of member control, accountability and participation,” said Charlotte Faris, a member-owner of Intermountain Rural Electric Association (IREA).  “Many of Colorado’s co-ops already practice this open and accountable governance, and I am pleased that, thanks to this law, IREA is now required to be open and transparent as well.”

 

Cindy Sweatt, another IREA member-owner, noted that IREA fought this legislation while it was being considered by the Colorado General Assembly.  She said, “Once IREA practices the transparency and openness required by this law, members will be able to begin to influence IREA’s policies.”  Sweatt added, “When IREA members voted on Colorado’s Renewable Energy Standard (Amendment 37) in 2004, roughly half supported this ballot measure.  I believe that Colorado’s success in developing clean, affordable, renewable energy resources has helped increase support for these technologies in IREA’s territory and throughout the state.”

 

HB 1098 ensures greater transparency in the governance of rural electric cooperatives, providing the member-owners an opportunity to play meaningful roles in the setting of policies, rates and other issues that affect every co-op member.

 

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