May 4, 2018 • EPE Related News
El Paso Times: Energizing our growing community
El Paso Electric (EPE), has been working for several years in order to grow with our community, and continue providing reliable, safe, and cost-effective service.
Our community is still expanding. EPE’s customer base increased by 1.7% last year, which continues to exceed the national average for customer growth. In order to address the regional power needs that we will experience over the next few years, EPE issued an all-source request for proposal for resources last year. This request will help prepare to meet the needs of a continuously growing service territory and allow for planning for any potential retirements or life extensions of our older generation resources.
Although the region keeps growing, which often means that there is increased energy usage, EPE strives to maintain a focus on energy conservation and energy efficiency programs for our customers. In April of this year, El Paso Electric won the 2018 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award for its efforts in kilowatt-hours (kWh) savings and increased education about energy efficiency. EPE will continue to partner with the community to help customers save energy and learn about conservation as we enter the summer months.
As we grow, we’re also keeping an eye on innovative technologies to help power our cities. Among our biggest recent renewable energy accomplishments was the completion of the Texas Community Solar Facility last summer. This three megawatt solar field is one of the largest utility-owned community solar facilities in Texas, and generates renewable power for the Community Solar Program, a volunteer-based program that was fully subscribed within one month of accepting applications. Due to its popularity, EPE has filed an application to expand the program by a capacity of 2 megawatts, and we will be looking to create a Community Solar Program for New Mexico as well.
Because we care about the cities where we live and work, EPE’s 1,100 employees are very dedicated to volunteerism. Last year, employees volunteered more than 8,800 hours of community service to local and regional organizations and schools. The Company was also named the Texas Workforce Solutions’ Local Employer of Excellence for 2017, which was achieved due to our work with Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math (STEAM) programs and innovative summer and year-long internships.
For 2018, El Paso Electric wants to keep the issues that affect the community and environment at the forefront. This is why EPE plans to publish its first sustainability report in 2018, which will provide insight into the Company’s environmental, economic and social impacts. The report will encompass the strategies and opportunities that will help EPE strive to achieve our reliability and resiliency goals.
El Paso Electric looks forward to continuing a tradition of service and community involvement as a local employer of choice; always aiming to work innovatively and safely to provide reliable electric power to those we serve.
For more information on EPE’s energy efficiency programs and renewable efforts, visit epelectric.com.
Source: https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/sponsor-story/el-paso-electric/2018/05/01/energizing-our-growing-community/34419737/