TRI-STATE NEEDS TO
TRI-HARDER
Rates are too high. Members are defecting. Finances are in disarray.
#TriHarder to transition quickly from expensive, old and polluting energy to clean, locally produced renewable energy.
Why? The climate and Tri-State customers’ rates are at stake. Tri-State is member owned, and financed by ratepayer money. Right now, ratepayers are paying too much for outdated and increasingly expensive electricity from 4 coal plants.
What’s happening? The West’s energy economy is rapidly shifting to low-cost renewable energy, energy efficiency, and battery storage. While utilities like Xcel Energy and Platte River Power Authority (PRPA) have ambitious and achievable commitments to provide clean energy (Xcel 80% carbon-free electricity by 2030, PRPA 100% by 2030), Tri-State is far behind.
As a result, 1.5 million rural western consumers are at risk of being stuck paying for dirty and increasingly expensive coal and natural gas plants while their neighbors take advantage of clean, low-cost renewable energy.
Tri-State has an opportunity to produce more renewable energy that creates new, local jobs and brings new investments in our communities.
Tri-State must clean up its act and…
How I Can
Help You
#TriHarder to be transparent with western leaders, your member owners and ratepayers about your debt load and financial future.
ABOUT US
Why? Tri-State members are concerned about Tri-State’s growing debt and future rate increases on rates that are already higher than surrounding utilities.
What’s happening? Tri-State restructured its debt in a way to delay repayment, and they appear to not be paying down any of the capital on $1.25 billion of their $3+ billion debt. Tri-State member co-ops are rightly concerned that this debt will lead to rate increases. (See for yourself.) The financial community has taken note, DOWNGRADING Tri-State’s credit rating, meaning borrowing in the future will be more expensive.