In the news The Daily Sentinel, July 2, 2008 The Glenwood Springs Post Independent, July 2, 2008 The Aspen Daily News, July 2, 2008 Sales tax boost for Bus Rapid Transit pegged for Nov. 4 electionThe RFTA board voted unanimously to put a question on the Nov. 4 ballot asking for a 0.4 percent sales and use tax increase to help fund $61 million in improvements, including the Bus Rapid Transit system. The question will be on the ballot only in RFTA’s member jurisdictions: Aspen, Snowmass Village, Basalt, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs and New Castle, as well as Pitkin County and the portion of Eagle County within the Roaring Fork Valley. Voters in Silt will face two questions: whether to join RFTA, and whether to approve the higher sales and use tax. Voters in Rifle, Parachute and unincorporated Garfield County will not vote on the question, as their governments have not joined RFTA. The question must be approved by a majority of all votes cast. If it wins overall but fails in one jurisdiction, the tax increase will still apply in that community. The sales tax increase, equal to 4 cents for every $10 spent, will finance $45 million in bonds. RFTA is also seeking $21 million in federal funds. The improvements include:
A citizen’s group met July 3 to form a campaign committee, since state law prohibits RFTA board members and staff from campaigning for the ballot question. In the news Aspen Daily News, June 27, 2008 Basalt solar thermal installation to cut
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“Colorado has solar arrays in the San Luis Valley, at Fort Carson and DIA. Solar arrays are springing up like flowers as we harness the power of the sun,” said U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar.
Trash & emissions 37 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States are linked to waste. Methane is 72 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. By recycling 90 percent of our trash, Americans could shut down 21 percent of the country's coal-fired power plants. Americans make up 5 percent of the world's population and generate 30 percent of the world's waste. Source: Stop Trashing the Climate |
Emissions from U.S. landfills equal to
one-fifth of country’s coal-fired power plants
A new report states that preventing waste and expanding reuse, recycling and composting programs — aiming for zero waste — is one of the fastest, cheapest, and most effective strategies available for combating climate change.
The report, Stop Trashing the Climate, claims that if Americans recycled or composted 90 percent of their waste, it offset the amount of greenhouse gases produced 21 percent of the coal-fired power plants operating in the United States today.
Methane releases from landfills are the No. 3 source of greenhouse gases, according to the report’s co-author, Eco-Cycle director Eric Lombardi.
The report is published by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance of Minneapolis and Eco-Cycle of Boulder.
For more information, visit www.stoptrashingtheclimate.org/
In the news
Boulder Daily Camera, June 6, 2008
Eco-Cycle: Waste trashing climate
"Aiming for zero waste is one of the fastest, cheapest, most effective strategies for combating climate change," Brenda Platt, of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, said at a news conference.
"Trash we set out on the curb is directly linked to greenhouse gas emissions."
Gov. Ritter announces energy efficiency
and conservation campaign
Gov. Bill Ritter launched a statewide energy efficiency and conservation campaign, "The New Energy Economy: Bringing It Home." The campaign’s TV and radio ads tell energy consumers about low-cost and simple steps to save energy.
"We are bringing the New Energy Economy home to Coloradans," Gov. Ritter said. "This campaign offers simple steps that any of us can take to save energy and money. Small changes in how we use energy make big differences in reducing energy costs and carbon emissions."
Gov. Ritter said the campaign will provide basic advice and tips on how to save money at home and at work:
Turn it Down. Install and use a programmable thermostat or adjust the temperature down when you aren't at home. Programmable thermostats can save up to $150 a year in utility bills.
Unplug it. Unplug electronics, such as cell phone chargers, when not in use, or install a power strip for controlling devices such as computers, TVs and entertainment systems. Seventy-five percent of electricity used by electronic devices is while the products are turned off.
Turn it Off. Turn off the lights when leaving a room and install energy efficient compact fluorescent lights. CFLs use about 75 percent less energy than standard lights and last 10 times longer.
Take a Ride. Besides getting exercise, you can save money on gas and vehicle maintenance by riding a bike. Relax on the bus or catch up with friends when you carpool.
"The goal of this campaign is to help homeowners and consumers across the state to take control of their energy use by starting with these simple steps," Gov. Ritter said. "These tips are aimed at helping consumers save money on utility bills and at the gas pump, and they will protect our environment by reducing our carbon emissions."
Click here to view the kickoff TV ad. To learn more about other energy saving tips and programs, visit the Governor's Energy Office at www.colorado.gov/energy.
New energy efficiency building code
takes effect statewide July 1
New Castle bumps up requirement for furnaces and insulation
As of July 1, all towns, cities and counties in Colorado must adopt and use the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code.
Builders and contractors will be required to follow these building standards
with the overall goal of building homes and commercial structures with lower energy bills, carbon emissions and fossil fuel use.
New Castle Building Official David Hunsicker instituted two additions to the published conservation code. Boilers and furnaces must be at least 90 percent efficient, and crawl spaces must be insulated and provided with conditioned air.
In order to meet growing energy and consumer concerns, town leaders in New Castle encourage builders to construct at even higher standards such as LEED or Energy Star.
The New Castle Climate Action Advisory Commission, the volunteer New Castle
Environmental Advisory Committee and Hunsicker worked together for months to research the details behind the code upgrade for energy conservation.
— Andy Barton
Town of New Castle
Cracking the code: Architecture 2030 translates
various building codes to meet the 2030 Challenge
Edward Mazria and Architecture 2030 have released a new building code report for communities that aim to meet the greenhouse gas reduction targets of the 2030 Challenge.
The report, Meeting the 2030 Challenge Through Building Codes, offers a single chart that compares various building energy codes, standards and rating systems to the immediate 50 percent reduction target called for in the 2030 Challenge.
Using the code equivalents provided in the chart, local governments and industry professionals can clearly see the standards needed to be confident that they are meeting the 2030 Challenge.
Xcel seeks shift in Windsource regulation
so it can offer wind power to more customers
Xcel Energy is asking the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to approve changes in its Windsource program that will allow more customers to buy clean wind energy starting Jan. 1, 2009.
At present, the Windsource program is fully subscribed with 47,000 customers.
By rolling Windsource into Xcel’s renewable energy portfolio, Xcel will be able to make bulk purchases of more renewable energy generating sources.
Currently, the Windsource program cannot expand due to the high cost of buying small increments of wind power. If the company’s application is approved by the PUC, Xcel will be able to offer more customers the opportunity to subscribe to 100 percent renewable energy.
Windsource customers pay a premium of $3 per 100 kilowatt hours. The company’s average household user consumes 625 kWh per month, resulting in a $19 premium for clean energy.
To read the June 24 news release, click here.
Western Governors focus on climate challenges
Water resources and new “net-zero” technologies for coal were among the climate issues on the agenda at annual meeting of the Western Governor’s Association, held June 29-July 1 in Jackson Hole, Wyo.
As climate change affects rain and snowfall patterns in the West, the governors discussed the need to find new sources of water, increase water efficiency and reuse water.
Brad Udall, director of Western Water Assessment at the University of Colorado, noted, “Water has long been a zero sum game in the West. Climate change introduces the possibility that it will become a negative sum game.”
A separate workshop covered promising advances in the quest for capturing carbon emissions from coal burning. A summary of the workshop and the report, Deploying Near-Zero Technologies for Coal: A Path Forward, is available on the WGA website.
New Mexico utilities partner on innovative solar project
Sandia National Laboratories researcher Rich Diver sets a calibration device on a parabolic trough solar. Photo by Randy Montoya, |
Xcel Energy and three other large utilities serving customers in New Mexico are seeking proposals for construction of a utility-scale solar parabolic trough electric generation facility.
The project builds on a study issued in 2007 by the Electric Power Research Institute that points to parabolic trough technology as the most feasible option for the state.
This technology uses a series of trough-shaped mirrors to focus sunlight onto an oil-filled tube, and then uses the hot oil to generate steam, which in turn produces electricity. When combined with thermal energy storage, this solar technology can keep generating electricity at night or on cloudy days.
The four partnering utilities want to build a plant large enough to generate from 211,000 to 375,000 megawatt-hours per year, enough electricity to power 29,000 to 52,000 average New Mexico homes.
To read the July 1 news release, click here.
Events and Training
Lighting efficiency certification offered in Denver July 23-25
Training offered at half price
Dates: Wednesday, July 23, to Friday, July 25
Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the 23rd and 24th, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the 25th
Place: Hilton Garden Inn, 1400 Welton, Denver, (303) 603-8000
Cost: $600 includes materials, application and exam fee (regular price is $1,350)
Xcel Energy and the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) are offering Certified Lighting Efficiency Professional (CLEP) training July 23-25 in Denver, at half the regular cost.
The Governor’s Energy Office lighting efficiency rebate program requires lighting redesign studies to be conducted by certified professionals in order to be eligible for study funding and equipment rebates.
The seminar offers an overview of efficient lighting design and retrofit practices, and includes the CLEP exam.
- Seminar outline and instructor qualifications
- Eligibility and exam requirements
- Register by July 11
- Information: Jackie Ducharme, (303) 294-2208 or jacqueline.m.ducharme@xcelenergy.com.
- Xcel’s Lighting Efficiency program and lighting redesign rebates
Ted Turner and Peter Buffett highlight
American Renewable Energy Day
5th Annual AREDAY Conference set for Aug. 21-23 in Aspen
The fifth annual American Renewable Energy Day (AREDAY) in Aspen features speakers, films and information booths, including a talk by media mogul and environmentalist Ted Turner and musician and philanthropist Peter Buffett.
AREDAY will be held Aug. 21-23 with events at various locations in Aspen.
Thursday, Aug. 21: “Burning the Future: Coal in America,” Paepcke Auditorium, 6:30 p.m.
The conflict between West Virginia mountain communities and the coal industry, the ramifications of mountain top mining and citizens’ fight to preserve their environment and way of life.
Friday, Aug. 22: Panel discussions, Wheeler Opera House, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lester Brown, President of Earth Policy Institute; Chief Arvol Looking Horse of the Wolakota Foundation, Lakota,; Jerome Ringo, President of the Apollo Alliance; Harris Sherman, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources; environmental consultant Sally Ranney; representatives from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Presidential Climate Action Project, Native Wind and Rocky Mountain Institute; and other non-profit leaders, authors and photographers.
Friday, Aug. 22: Children’s climate solutions panel, Wheeler Opera House, 1 p.m.
Lynne Cherry, award-winning children’s book author and illustrator, and Gary Braasch of the International League of Conservation Photographers lead a participatory panel for children.
Friday, Aug. 22: “Fields of Fuel,” Wheeler Opera House, 8 p.m.
Biodiesel is the fastest and most sustainable means to reducing our country’s dependence on oil. Winner of the Sundance 2008 Audience Award.
Saturday, Aug. 23: Armchair interview, Wheeler Opera House, 7 p.m.
Media mogul and environmentalist Ted Turner and musician and philanthropist Peter Buffett will be interviewed by Pat Mitchell, former president of PBS and current CEO of the Paley Media Center.
Saturday, Aug. 23: Renewable energy demonstrations and family activities on the Cooper Street Mall and Wagner Park; live music with Aspen’s John Michel and Michael Jude from Take the Wheel; special performance by John Oates.
For more details, visit www.areday.net.
CLEER workshop aired on Glenwood Springs
and Carbondale Channel 12
A video recording of CLEER’s recent workshop, “Advancing the Clean Energy Economy,” will be aired Friday in Carbondale and Glenwood Springs on community access cable television.
The workshop, held June 13 in Glenwood Springs, featured Craig Perkins of The Energy Coalition, who talked about how communities can organize successful programs that reduce energy use and save money for households and businesses. It drew about 80 people from Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin counties.
The workshop video will air on Cable Channel 12 on Friday, July 11, at 12 p.m., 7 p.m., 10 p.m. and 12 a.m.
It also aired in Rifle in five time slots on July 6.
A limited number of DVDs are available for home viewing. To request one, contact CLEER at info@CleanEnergyEconomy.net.
In the news
The Aspen Times, July 4, 2008
Red, white, blue — and green?
Friedman says U.S. must be a leader in the battle on global warming
Humans have befouled the planet so severely that that they are going to have to think like Noah of Biblical times just to make sure some species survive, Thomas Friedman claimed at the Aspen Ideas Festival Thursday.
The New York Times columnist brought the Aspen crowd to its feet, as he often does, with a stirring speech on what’s at stake with global warming and the solutions possible through a “green revolution.”
Friedman’s outline of the global warming problems and solutions is the topic of his latest book. Hot, Flat and Crowded — Why We Need a Green Revolution is due out in September.
National Public Radio, All Things Considered, June 19, 2008
Car gas mileage may not be all it seems
By Christopher Joyce
Here's a quiz. Which saves more gas: trading in a 16-mile-a-gallon gas guzzler for a slightly more efficient car that gets 20 mpg? Or going from a gas-sipping sedan of 34-mpg to a hybrid that gets 50 mpg?
If you guessed the second choice, you're wrong.
Even a small improvement in gas guzzlers saves more gas than a big improvement in cars that already save. But cars aren't advertised that way in the U.S.
If they were rated in gallons per mile instead of the other way around, people might get a better idea of how to save gas.
Clean Energy Bits ‘n Bobs
The Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association is a top three finalist in its size category for the national 2008 Chamber of the Year Award. The chamber’s application used its promotion of a clean energy economy as a prime example of its cutting-edge work . . . Calla Rose Ostrander, program manager for Aspen’s Canary Initiative, is leaving her post July 31. She’s heading to San Francisco for a brief gig coordinating the annual awards for utilities for Flex Your Power, then on to Mexico where she’ll be helping a women’s health clinic create an organic garden . . . Colorado Conservation Voters released the annual scorecard of state legislators’ records on environmental votes in the 2008 session. Sen. Gail Schwartz and Rep. Christine Scanlan achieved perfect 100s. Rep. Al White tallied a 91, Rep. Kathleen Curry scored an 83, and Rep. Jack Taylor chalked up a 70 . . . Colorado State University Extension Service, the folks in the know about everything agricultural in Colorado, has a new section on its website offering information on current topics in energy . . . Bill McKibben’s new group, 350.org, just launched its new website aimed at building awareness for global warming and clean energy. The significance of 350? It’s the level of greenhouse gas concentrations, 350 parts per million is the safe level scientists recommend for a healthy planet. We are at about 384 ppm now.