To the Editor:
According to August 2022 Cooperative Connection, the Dakota Energy (DE) Board of Directors passed a Resolution to continue the East River lawsuits, so they could utilize litigation expenses already incurred.
How many millions are the incurred litigation expenses that the Board does not want to waste and from where did the money come?
After incurring millions in legal expenses and resolving to spend even more on the appeal, has DE given a blank check to the lawyers and Guzman Energy (Guzman) to pursue the case? What is in that Letter of Intent? What is so secretive that DE will not let the members/owners see that document and other agreements that DE has made with Guzman?
If “The resolution strives to recognize and respond to the concern delivered by member-owners through the recent Board of Directors election results,” DE would drop the lawsuits against the 17 member-owners and East River. By voting in new board members, the member-owners overwhelming voted to remain with current power suppliers Basin Electric and East River.
It is not surprising that DE filed the appeal. They have yet to comply with any court decisions not in their favor. The longer the lawyers can prolong the cases, the more money they make at member-owners expense. Guzman representatives have never shown that they can provide cheaper total power. Guzman can’t cover loads with backup generation. Guzman will take profits out of the area and give it to their investors. DE makes untrue negative statements against East River and Basin Electric, but are silent about Guzman Energy’s true history, management, and Board of Directors.
Board members and management that do not want to comply with cooperative principles should resign.
They should not be trying to convert the cooperative to a private corporation that promotes their own agenda.
Twyla Folk
Huron
