Welcome to Chimney Rock PPD

At the regular monthly board meeting Wednesday 11/19, the Board of Directors voted 6-0 to tender our notice to terminate our wholesale power contract with Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association. We have increased rates by over 11% in the last two years, and we are still finalizing our increase for 2026 which could be another 10%-12%. We are working with consultants to check our math, and we will notify everyone with next month’s statements.

I want to be very clear with everyone that I am sensitive to these increases and doing nothing is not an option. We are fortunate at CRPPD that we have good options, which is something other Tri-State members do not have.

Below is our press release, however, be watching local news outlets because we are not alone in this endeavor. Our neighbors Roosevelt PPD, and Panhandle Rural Electric Membership Association (PREMA) have taken the same action.

If you have questions, feel free to reach out to me at curtisk@crppd.com with any questions.

Sincerely,

Curtis Kayton

General Manager

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CRPPD announces intent to terminate wholesale power contract

Bayard, NE. Chimney Rock Public Power District (CRPPD) has notified the district’s wholesale power supplier of intent to terminate the long-term wholesale power contract due to projected rate increases.

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association based in Westminster, CO has served the district since the 1950’s with a contract scheduled to terminate in December 2050. Future projected increases have prompted the district to consider alternative options for wholesale power supply.

The board voted to notify Tri-State of this action during November’s regular monthly meeting.  “Our board has a responsibility to ensure that our customers receive reliable, and affordable power” said Kevin Stuart, Board Chair of CRPPD. “Compliance to Colorado policy, regulations, and law, have resulted in a cost trajectory that can no longer be ignored.”

CRPPD’s evaluation process considered several factors, including changing market conditions, regional transmission access, regulatory requirements, and available alternatives. Early termination of the existing contract will begin a formal transition period, during which CRPPD will pursue new wholesale power options and conduct the necessary regulatory and operational steps to maintain seamless service.

“The largest factor in this decision is the fact that Tri-State is subject to the policies and law of the state of

Colorado. The public power districts in the eastern two-thirds of Nebraska are governed by Nebraska policy, regulations, and law and pay over 30% less than we do” added Curtis Kayton, General Manager of CRPPD. “Nebraska is the only Public Power state, yet the Panhandle does not benefit from public powers low-cost.”” CO’S laws, policies, and regulations reach far beyond the borders of CO, and adversely affect the members of WY, NM, and NE. The costs of this combination have become too great to carry, and fortunately we have good options to consider.”   

CRPPD will provide additional updates as the transition process moves forward. The district is working closely with all appropriate agencies to ensure a smooth and transparent changeover.