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LPEA board election stirs public debate

Critics question candidates’ eligibility

The eligibility of two candidates aspiring to La Plata Electric Association board seats in the May election hinges on a decision expected Thursday.

Board members and members of the public went around and around at an LPEA board meeting Wednesday on whether incumbent board member Britt Bassett and newcomer Gregg Dubit are valid candidates, given their ties to the solar industry.

Their eligibility was thrown into question by an email to LPEA by Christi Zeller, executive director of the La Plata County Energy Council, which represents the oil and gas industry. Two other speakers joined her, as did her attorney, Tom Geyer.

Zeller based her opinion on a review of two years of board minutes, LPEA bylaws and director policies.

Specifically, critics say the pair do not qualify under Article III Section 2 of LPEA bylaws, which says that to become or remain a board member, a person shall “not be in any way employed by a business selling electric energy or (be) a major supplier of the cooperative.”

Bassett helped write regulations for solar gardens and now is a member of the same. Solar gardens allow people who can’t install solar alone to join a collective project and sell excess power back to LPEA.

Dubit, a self-employed energy auditor, contracts with Shaw Solar, which built the first La Plata County solar garden in Ignacio. Shaw Solar has said it sells equipment, not power.

Members of the LPEA “green” sector said critics are nitpicking. A board member who votes in favor of providing a rebate for LED light-bulb purchases and then buys the same for personal use could be accused of benefitting from the board position, Heather Erb said.

In the end, the board voted to let election supervisory committee members who are overseeing the May election to fill four seats decide the intent of Article III Section 2.

Barry Spear, the LPEA legal adviser, Tiffany Lee Parker, the La Plata County clerk and recorder, and LPEA billing clerk Cindy Straight form the election supervisory committee.

Spear said the committee decision would be announced Thursday.

Board members were told by critics that they are abdicating their duty by turning the decision over to others.

daler@ durangoherald.com



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