The policies of the La Plata Electric Association and the Tri State Generation & Transmission Association limit the production of solar electricity within La Plata County, Colorado. As federal interventions have proven unproductive, intensified regional and state initiatives must be adopted to increase solar energy production. Colorado's Renewable Portfolio Standards demand incremental percentage increases of green energy distribution. LPEA's cooperative equity funds have been increasing while National Rural Electric Cooperative Association statutes have been ignored leading to a surplus of dormant funds available for solar projects and "education of cooperation." A shallow state compliance curve in Amendment 37, Tri State's low allowance of green energy production at LPEA's level, and the failure of LPEA to educate its members of cooperative business have stymied solar energy production and perpetuated environmental degradation.
