Clean Energy Economy News | Online edition
May 27, 2008 | Vol. 1, No. 4
If you have been following our work to create a regional energy and climate effort, you may notice the modified name: Clean Energy Economy for the Region. The older title, Regional Partnership for a Clean Energy Economy, was too much of a mouthful. The new name also rolls into a decent acronym, CLEER.
 We've developed a two-page flyer that presents the CLEER concept and lists the 50-plus endorsers. Click here to download a PDF (2 pgs, 628 KB).
CLEER also has a small, new website. Bookmark it at CleanEnergyEconomy.net
Finally, I encourage all of you to attend CLEER's workshop on June 13, Advancing the Clean Energy Economy. (See story below.) This will be a valuable event to move forward on the shift to a clean energy economy.
Heather McGregor, editor
Clean Energy Economy News
mcgregor@rof.net
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In this issue
CLEER convenes regional workshop: Advancing the Clean Energy Economy
RFTA sets ridership record, plans BRT ballot question
Holy Cross Energy holds board election, two seats contested
Rifle hospital expansion follows 'Green Guide'
National expert shares 'Tools for Successful TOD and Smart Growth'
Studies evaluate gas drilling's impacts on air quality and health
Carbondale section of Rio Grande Trail is open
Cool Communities expands to Rifle
Aspen Electric wins national award
Clean Energy Bits 'n Bobs
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CLEER convenes regional workshop:
Advancing the Clean Energy Economy
Date: Friday, June 13
Time: 8:30 a.m. to noon
Place: Glenwood Springs Community Center, 100 Wulfsohn Rd.
CLEER is convening the first in a series of regional workshops aimed at creating opportunities for the entire region to save energy and move to a clean energy economy.
"We are looking for community leaders and clean energy advocates who want a hands-on role in moving our region toward a clean energy future," said Martha Cochran, a CLEER board member who will serve as the workshop's emcee.
"We are focused on achieving real results right away, and invite action-oriented people from Parachute to Aspen to attend the workshop and get involved," she said.
 The event features guest speaker Craig Perkins, executive director of The Energy Coalition, a broad-reaching organization that is building community energy partnerships throughout California. The Energy Coalition is involving businesses, cities, students and households to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
The event will end with participants developing the next steps needed to establish partnerships that can move the Parachute to Aspen region toward a clean energy economy.
Everyone is welcome and the workshop is free. Please RSVP by Wednesday, June 11, to mcgregor@rof.net.
A zero-waste event - Hot and cold beverages and healthy snacks provided.
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RFTA sets ridership record, plans BRT ballot question
The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority regional bus service carried a record 4.4 million passengers in 2007, up from 4.1 million in 2006. Rising gasoline prices, winter driving conditions and limited parking prompted more people to ride RFTA buses.
RFTA's higher ridership reflects a national trend. The American Public Transportation Association reports 10.3 billion trips on public transportation in 2007, the highest level in 50 years and a 2 percent increase over 2006.
To keep up with demand, RFTA is planning for a new Bus Rapid Transit system, a system that aims for the speed and convenience of rail but uses rubber-tired vehicles and costs less. RFTA expects to have BRT running by 2017.
At their May meeting, the RFTA board of directors approved a phased plan for $62 million in improvements that are expected to boost operating revenues by $37 million.
The BRT development team used comments from the public to recommend a BRT plan that includes:
- More nonstop trips between Aspen and Glenwood Springs, and to points along the I-70 Hogback route.
- New bus stations using high-tech systems to track bus arrival times.
- Lanes and intersections on Highway 82 adjusted to reduce travel time for buses.
- New or expanded park-and-ride lots and transit stations.
To help fund the BRT expansion and keep RFTA financially fit for the next 12 years, Roaring Fork Valley voters likely will be asked in November to approve a 0.4 percent sales tax increase.
- Sylvia Cranmer, RFTA
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Holy Cross Energy holds board election, two seats contested
The May issue of The Consumer Connection, the Holy Cross Energy member newsletter, includes ballots for Holy Cross customers to vote on two seats on the rural electric association's board of directors. Board member terms are for three years.
Incumbent Jim Snyder of Rifle, a rancher and retired teacher, is facing a challenge from Lynn Dwyer of New Castle, owner of Dwyer Greens and Flowers, for the Western District seat.
Incumbent George Shaeffer of Eagle, owner of a construction company, and David Campbell of East Vail, a ranch real estate broker, are vying for the Northern District seat.
Holy Cross customers can cast a ballot in both races. Ballots sent by mail must be received by Friday, June 6.
Holy Cross customers may also bring their ballots and attend the association's annual meeting, set for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 6, at the Holy Cross headquarters building, 3799 Highway 82, just south of Glenwood Springs.
In the news
The Aspen Times, May 21, 2008
Aspen Skiing Co. puts some zip in Holy Cross election
Renewables shape up as big issue in utility's election
By Scott Condon
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High Performance Buildings
Rifle hospital expansion follows 'Green Guide'
The crane is up and structural steel will soon be rising from the ground for an expansion of Grand River Hospital in Rifle.
The 80,000-square-foot, $26 million addition is being built to energy and materials standards set by the Green Guide for Health Care organization, which is closely tied to the U.S. Green Building Council.
"The building will be energy efficient, so our operations and maintenance will be less expensive in the future, and it will be a healthier building," said Kris Daler, public relations director for the Grand River Hospital District.
In 2007, the hospital district's board of directors set a new policy that all future construction would meet or exceed Green Guide standards, Daler said.
 Energy efficiency features for the addition include high-efficiency boilers, a heat-reflective roof membrane, rooftop evaporative condensers, high performance glass, continuous insulation, fluorescent and LED lighting with motion and natural light sensors, and low-flow water fixtures.
The materials list includes tile and carpeting made from recycled materials, "green" linoleum, and locally quarried marble.
The building will house family practice offices, an expanded rehabilitation center, and space for expansion of other departments.
Davis Partnership Architects of Denver designed the addition, as well as the original structure. It's being built by FCI Constructors. Opening is slated for May 2009.
The hospital district will also apply Green Guide standards to two other projects in the planning stages: a medical center in Battlement Mesa and a new extended care center at the old hospital site in Rifle.
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National expert shares
'Tools for Successful TOD and Smart Growth'
Date: Wednesday, June 4
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch presentation
Place: Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Ave.
Transit oriented development and affordable housing located near transit stops is a key element of the valley's long term transit vision.
Robert Dunphy, a senior resident fellow in transportation and infrastructure at the Urban Land Institute will speak on strategies for successful TOD and smart growth. Dunphy will share lessons learned from around the country and world to create multi-partner approaches to TOD and how to link TOD to overall smart growth.
Dunphy has written extensively on smart growth, transportation and land use, infrastructure, and parking strategies for efficient development, including "Developing Around Transit," a ULI report that reviews the effectiveness of various strategies for transit-oriented developments.
Please RSVP by Monday, June 2. E-mail Tracey Walter, twalter@newcenturytrans.org
Lunch is $15, payable at the door.
Co-sponsors: CLEER, Urban Land Institute and the Town of Carbondale.
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Studies evaluate gas drilling's impacts on air quality and health
 Date: Tuesday, June 17
Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Place: Colorado Mountain College, West Garfield Campus, 3695 Airport Road, Rifle
Scientists who have been studying the impacts of gas development on air quality and community health will present their findings at a meeting in Rifle on June 17.
Presentations include:
- Results of the 2005-07 air quality study in Garfield County by Dr. Raj Goyal, toxicologist, and Shannon Rossiter, epidemiologist, both of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
- Results of the 2005-07 Community Health Risk Assessment by Dr. Teresa Coons of the Saccomanno Research Institute at St. Mary's Hospital, Grand Junction, and Dr. Russell Walker, professor of environmental restoration at Mesa State College.
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Carbondale section of Rio Grande Trail is open
The Rio Grande Trail paving is now complete!
The last link in the new trail, a five-mile stretch from Highway 133 in Carbondale to the CMC turn at County Road 154, is paved and ready for use.
"We're about a month ahead of schedule, thanks to good weather and the hard work of all the contractors involved in this project," said Mike Hermes, RFTA trails and properties director.
"At this point, the few details left to be completed are the shouldering of the asphalt, installation of trail signage and the addition of safety fencing, all of which should be finished by June 15," he said.
This last section completes the trail from Aspen to Glenwood Springs, in the works for the past decade. The trail is paved except for the 11-mile stretch from Woody Creek to Aspen.
To celebrate the completion of this spectacular trail, RFTA is planning a grand opening on Saturday, June 21, with an organized ride and ribbon cutting.
Watch your local newspaper for details on grand opening events from Glenwood Springs to Aspen.
- Sylvia Cranmer, RFTA
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Cool Communities expands to Rifle
Rifle residents are working with members of the Glenwood Springs Cool Communities group to create a citizens' group in Rifle focused on climate and energy issues.
The group has met twice, and has tentatively set meetings for June 3 and 17.
"We are piggybacking on the Glenwood Springs route, shoring up our support in the community," said Doug Peate, an Alpine Bank employee leading the effort. "We are getting a lot of new faces, and I've gotten a lot of support via e-mail."
The group plans to ask the Rifle City Council to endorse the U.S. Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement.
"I have no doubt we'll be successful," Peate said.
The Rifle group is getting guidance from Bob Millette of Glenwood Springs, who successfully launched the Glenwood Springs Cool Communities group in 2006.
The new group in Rifle may also serve as a catalyst in the community for creative ideas. Peate said residents have already suggested stepped-up recycling opportunities and the need for a comprehensive plan to deal with gas industry wastes at the Garfield County Landfill, which is west of the city.
For more information on the Rifle group, contact Peate at dougpeate@alpinebank.com.
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Aspen Electric wins national award
Aspen Electric is the national winner of the U.S. Department of Energy's 2008 Wind Power Pioneer Award.
DOE announced the award May 13, and will present it on June 24 at the American Public Power Association annual conference in New Orleans.
Aspen was one of 13 public power utilities nominated for the award this year. The nomination came from the Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE), which has been working with the city of Aspen on its wind program.
Aspen Electric has been a pioneer of renewable energy since 1885, when Aspen lit its streets and homes with hydroelectric power. Today, Aspen is still generating hydroelectricity and buys nearly $1 million in wind power per year.
- Sally Spaulding, City of Aspen
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Clean Energy Bits 'n Bobs
The annual Bike to Work Day is Wednesday, June 25 ... The Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) board of directors elected Pitkin County Commissioner Patti Clapper as the new board president, replacing longtime climate activist and CORE founder Bill Stirling of Aspen ... The Town of Snowmass Village tabled its consideration of a Renewable Energy Mitigation Program for new construction ... The Governor's Energy Office selected The Climate Trust of Portland, Ore., to manage the Colorado Carbon Fund, aimed at providing high quality, verifiable carbon offsets ... The Sopris Foundation is funding work by climate researcher Rick Heede of Basalt to quantify the carbon emissions of daily activities ... Glenwood Springs native Francisco Tharp is interning at High Country News, where he wrote a May 12 cover story, Boom! Boom!, on gas drilling impacts in Garfield County.
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