Public Utilities Commission
1560 Broadway #250
Denver, CO 80202
February 5, 2019
PUC Proceeding No. 18F-0866E

Commissioners,

Colorado PUC E-Filings System

The Coalition of Ratepayers submits this letter of support for Delta-Montrose Electric
Association (DMEA) in its attempt to withdraw from Tri-State Generation and Transmission
Association, Inc. Further, the Coalition urges the Public Utilities Commission to set a withdrawal
rate that is fair to both Tri-State and DMEA.
The Coalition urges the Commission to consider this request in light of Tri-State’s actions, which
reject individual autonomy and self-determination, are prohibited by public utility law, and are
discriminatory as well as a predatory.
DMEA members understand what is at stake and take responsibility for the outcome that may
result from breaking with Tri-State. For better or worse, DMEA and the communities it serves
want the ability, nay the responsibility, to choose their generation portfolio. Member owned and
operated, rural electric cooperatives are unique in that the individuals served ultimately make the
business decisions. Tri-State’s refusal undermines and attacks not only DMEA’s personal and
economic freedom, but the personal and economic freedom of all the rural-electric cooperatives
it serves.
Tri-State claims to support freedom of association with a “core principle” of “voluntary and open
membership,” but in action, rejects it. Tri-State says, “everything we do is member-driven and
member-focused.” If Tri-State actually held these beliefs, it would have voluntarily approved a
fair exit charge and not have stated in its legal filings that members have “no affirmative right to
withdraw.”
The Coalition believes public utilities law prohibits Tri-State’s actions and that it is being
discriminatory and predatory. In 2016, Tri-State allowed one of its New Mexico cooperatives,
which had the same power contract as DMEA, to withdraw after paying a “fair” exit charge.
Three years later, Tri-State asserts it can prevent any withdrawal and is unilaterally setting
abusive charges.
The Coalition stands by DMEA and its members’ right to self-determination in electric
generation and hopes the Commission will set an exit charge that is fair to both parties.
Sincerely,
The Coalition of Ratepayers