Why some Eagle County residents should vote in the Yampa Valley Electric Association board election

While most of Eagle County’s electrical needs are met by Holy Cross Energy, the northernmost part of the County is served by the Yampa Valley Electric Association (YVEA). If you live in the YVEA service territory, you should have received your ballot for the upcoming Board of Directors election in the mail. If you have not received a ballot, please contact YVEA to get your ballot and make sure you are able to vote in this important election! Ballots must be received, in Minnesota, by June 20^th in order to be counted.

Why vote for the YVEA Board? Directors make decisions that affect the affordability, sustainability and future of our electrical grid. These decisions in turn affect economic development and diversification, the environment, resilience to wildfire risk, our ability to comply with state-mandated renewable energy goals and job training opportunities for coal industry workers. These are all vitally important issues that deserve our time and attention as energy consumers.

I am running for the Yampa Valley Electric Association Board of Directors and I’d appreciate your vote! My goal in running for the Board is to help YVEA build a path to fiscally-responsible, locally-controlled, 21st century energy.

Fiscally-responsible: We must balance operational spending with appropriate capital investment, particularly in our aging infrastructure, to guarantee reliability. 

Locally-controlled: Since 1940, YVEA has forged its own path to safe, reliable, low-cost energy. YVEA must continue drive its own future and be decisive about how the cooperative wants to grow and invest in new energy opportunities. This is particularly important given recent changes in greenhouse gas emission and renewable energy targets from the state legislature.   

21^st Century Energy: We assume that when we flip a switch the lights will come on, and they almost always do. We don’t have that same reliability, or even access, with broadband across our communities. I will support YVEA’s efforts to provide all members access to high quality broadband, which is becoming a part of how we define energy. 

For those of you who don’t know me, I am a second term City Council Member in the City of Steamboat Springs. In this elected position, I have consistently demonstrated my commitment to fiscal responsibility, transparency, good governance, and local control. I’d bring those same values to the YVEA Board. I’ve worked for constituents, developed policy, and balanced capital and operating budgets. In addition, I have nearly a decade of broad-based experience with energy issues in the YVEA service territory.

My previous involvement with YVEA includes: helping to develop a rebate program (Cen$ible Energy) that rewards YVEA members who opt for energy efficiency in their homes; promoting YVEA’s first solar garden, located in Moffat County; and leading the charge to install the City’s first electric vehicle charging station. Over the past decade, I have been a part of YVEA’s growth and change. I believe I am uniquely positioned to help YVEA meet member needs and keep pace with consumer choice, particularly as YVEA navigates Colorado’s newly set goals for greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy.

When asked about my candidacy, our State Representative, Dylan Robert said “I highly recommend Sonja Macys to join the YVEA Board. She will be a strong and independent voice for preparing our communities for the future. Her experience and vision make her the best choice for this position.”

I’d appreciate your vote for the YVEA Board of Directors!

Sincerely,

Sonja Macys