About DPU's Divisions

Finance and Administration

In addition to overseeing all financial aspects of the DPU (financial forecasting, budget development, rate setting, billing and collections), this division manages the centralized Customer Care Center for Los Alamos County. The department’s public relations and conservation staff are also included in this division, ensuring that water and energy conservation education and outreach are provided to the community.


Electric Production 

Los Alamos is home to Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Through a 1985 Electric Coordination Agreement, DPU and the US Department of Energy have pooled electric generation resources and shared costs based upon energy demand by each party. County generation resources include: one coal-fired plant, two hydroelectric facilities located in El Vado and Abiquiu, 1 MW photovoltaic solar array with utility-scale battery storage, an entitlement to 1 MW of federal hydropower through the Western Area Power Administration, a power purchase agreement for 45 MW of renewable and coal energy, transmission arrangements, purchased power contracts and 25 MW from LANL’s combustion turbine. Electric production staff also schedule and dispatch power for the County, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Kirtland Airforce Base/Sandia National Laboratories. Recently an Integrated Resource Plan was completed, looking forward 20 years into the future.


Electric Distribution

DPU’s electric distribution network provides power to ~8,500 customers within Los Alamos County and Bandelier National Monument. An Electric Reliability Plan is in place to help minimize the frequency, scope and duration of outages. DPU’s journeyman electric linemen are organized under IBEW.


Gas, Water and Sewer (GWS):

Natural Gas:
DPU purchases natural gas using a pre-pay agreement through the New Mexico Energy Acquisition Authority to sell and distribute to ~7,000 customers within the county.

Water Production and Distribution:

DPU operates 12 wells to pump ground water from the main aquifer under the Pajarito Plateau to provide drinking water to ~7000 Los Alamos County customers, LANL, and Bandelier National Monument. Additionally, water production operates the non-potable water system providing surface water and reclaimed wastewater to the Los Alamos Golf Course and county parks.

Wastewater Collection and Treatment:
Wastewater is collected throughout Los Alamos County and treated at two facilities: one in Los Alamos and the other in White Rock. The Los Alamos facility, completed in 2007, treats approximately 0.9 million gallons per day. DPU is in the process of constructing a replacement wastewater treatment facility for the White Rock community. Our GWS field workers are organized under the UAPP.


Engineering

The engineering team supports the natural gas, water production and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, and electric production and distribution operations of DPU. Additionally, the engineering team tracks regulatory compliance.