Lamar Light and Power Continues Repair Efforts

Lamar Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh, noted the plant’s line crew has completed the re-construction of 10 structures on the 69kv line which were damaged during the high wind storm on Wednesday, March 13^th.  He stated that as of Wednesday, April 10^th, the 69kv line was energized to feed electricity to Ft. Lyons in Bent County.  That line had been damaged from the prairie fire of April 5^th which forced Ft. Lyons to generate its own power.  He added the Light Plant will continue to ‘wheel’ power to Ft. Lyons until the line between it and Las Animas is repaired.

He noted the effort will be costly and will take time due to the size of the equipment needed for the swampy terrain. “We’re renting a vehicle which can navigate in that area, but because of it’s width, it has to be broken down into three sections for transporting as well as a crane required to help construct the equipment once it has arrived.”

The annual Lamar Light Plant/ARPA scholarships have been received from area schools with one from Wile and three each from Lamar and McClave. Members of the utility board have volunteered to review the submissions which are sent in anonymously.  Each year, the utility board and ARPA contribute $500 each to the three students who prepare an essay on a power-related question.

Due to an audit, the end of year financial statement for December 2018 was delayed. The total operating revenue for the month is $1,129,033 with operating costs of $1,077,347 for $51,686 in gross operating income.  When the non-operating revenues and expenses are considered, the monthly net income is $238,804.

Total operating revenues for the year are $15,684,056 and total operating costs are $12,612,954 resulting in gross operating income of $3,071,101. When the non-operating revenues and expenses are factored there is a net income of $1,596,971 year-to-date.  Compared to 2017 retail sales are up 5% and overall operating expenses are up approximately $505,772 or 4%.

By Russ Baldwin