MANAGEMENT

                                                                                                  Chuck Larsen, CP&L General Manager      

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Employees I would like to welcome you to Carbon Power & Light’s Web Site. Who would have imagined, ten years ago, that Carbon Power and Light would be providing you with this information on your personal computer through a program called the "Internet." Unheard of changes are taking place in our world more rapidly today than could have ever been predicted or imagined. Along with this environment of rapid change come many new challenges. A business’s ability to be proactive and meet these challenges will be key to its future survival. As General Manager of our member-owned rural electric cooperative, I am proud of the fact that we have kept abreast with this new age of change, while managing to hold on to certain traditional aspects of our business. Our member-owners have come to appreciate Carbon’s ability to provide new and innovative products and services while maintaining something very important and often forgotten in these fast-paced times…quality customer service. Come see what we have to offer!

Chuck Larsen,
General Manager

From the Manager:

Mountain Pine Beetle Project:  Last month my article focused on information specific to our proposed power line right of way clearing project on the National Forest.  At this juncture the Board of Directors is considering two potential bids to complete the work.  As part of this consideration and to insure they were acting in the best interest of the Member-Owners, the Board once again conducted a thorough overview of its options during its regular October Board Meeting.  Management and Staff compiled an overview of Four (4) possible “Options” for the Board to review and consider:

1)      Continue with the process currently being considered, i.e. select a contractor and move forward with the clearing project as proposed.

2)      Clear only those dead and dying trees along the power line right of ways within the forest on an ongoing basis, as provided for in a letter received from Regional Forester, Mr. Rick Cables.

3)      Retire the existing overhead power lines and replace them with underground power lines.

4)      Do nothing.

The Board reviewed the “pros and cons” associated with each of the options such as; cost components, time constraints, liability concerns, availability to use Rural Utilities Service loan funds and manpower requirements. Following this review, the Board unanimously moved to approve continuing with “Option 1” and to proceed with the process currently underway.

Rates for 2010:  One bit of news that I’m sure all of you will appreciate is the fact that the Tri-State Board has approved their 2010 Budget and the good news is that this approved Budget does not include any wholesale rate increase for the coming year.  Along those same lines, Carbon is in the process of completing its 2010 Budget, which also shows no need to increase rates for 2010.  So…NO RATE INCREASES FOR 2010.

Weather:  The end of October was Mother Nature’s reminder that we live in Wyoming and that the weather can be a little more than…fickle.  With snow coming down and the temperatures hovering in the low 20’s…the concept of “Global Warming” was farthest from my mind.  I was mainly focused on the fact that I wasn’t ready or prepared for the coming winter.  I have lots to do to get my own home winterized and ready the cold months to come.  Also, at this time of year when the temperatures start going down and electric bills start going up, we start getting calls from our Member-Owners asking what they can do to become more energy efficient.  Carbon’s Member Services department has many programs and ideas that can provide the information you need to help you gain efficiencies associated with your electrical usage.  Give them a call.

The Holidays are just around the corner…here’s hoping yours will be the happiest!

Chuck