November 14, 2024

Regional member meetings reinforce bright future ahead 

Throughout October, Tri-State executive staff traveled around the members’ service territories for six regional member meetings called Reliability, Rates and Refreshments (RRR). The regional meetings reached over 200 attendees, who included member local board members, member CEOs/GMs and member key staff.  

"We have incredible expertise and vision on our leadership team, and the regional meetings were a key opportunity to tell our story directly to our members’ local boards,” Highley said. “We shared our excitement for the future of Tri-State with an emphasis on reliability and affordability, and answering member’s important questions."

Senior Vice President for Energy Management Lisa Tiffin (front) discusses reliability and resources adequacy as Chief Executive Officer Duane Highley listens (back standing), at a regional member meeting in Pueblo, Colo.

Attendees heard from SVP Energy Management Lisa Tiffin about how we’re maintaining reliability and resource adequacy through the clean energy transition, as well as the Bring Your Own Resource program. 

“Resource adequacy starts with strong, robust resource planning for a reliable, affordable, responsible system in a complex environment," Tiffin said. "Our regional meetings resulted in great discussions with members about our team's planning process and details of our progress and long-term resource plan.” 

CFO Todd Telesz shared information about the Tri-State wholesale rate, which did not increase for 2025, and how Tri-State is managing our finances into the future.  

“We shared the peak opportunities Tri-State and our members have in 2024 and beyond," Telesz said. "I was able to tell our story through ownership and financial stewardship about how our members benefit from one of the most, if not the most, reliable and clean generating portfolios in the industry, an ever more needed and valuable transmission system, and economic capital to execute our energy transition." 

Chief Energy Innovations Officer Reg Rudolph talked about on-bill repayment and distributed energy management systems. 

“Our energy services team is doing innovative work to create solutions for our members that enhance reliability, flexibility and affordability to meet the needs of the grid of the future," Rudolph said. "It was a privilege to share our vision with members and host candid conversation and questions on expanding on the value our members already provide to their end-use consumers." 

Overall, Tri-State received positive feedback from members and will look at future options to continue to share our story with members.