“A lot of interest these days is focused on large scale renewable energy projects, such as big solar photovoltaic systems,” Hassig said. “What’s more remarkable is the effect each of us can have through simple efficiency. “Between your household lighting and household appliances, you can make a difference where it really counts, which is in electrical demand. The easiest and cheapest way to have an immediate effect on your energy use is to switch out light bulbs,” Hassig said “Compact fluorescent bulbs use up to 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, and last 10 times as long. Using CF bulbs, especially in the light fixtures you use the most, is an easy way to trim your monthly electric bill,” said Parachute Trustee Judi Hayward. The free light bulbs are provided by the City of Glenwood Springs, Garfield County, Holy Cross Energy and Xcel Energy, and project management is covered by the Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. Garfield NECI is a collaborative project of Garfield County, the six towns from Parachute to Carbondale, the Garfield Library District, the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority, Clean Energy Economy for the Region, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs and the Governor’s Energy Office. The light bulb giveaway is for two spiral-style CF bulbs. The 15-watt bulb is the equivalent of a 60-watt incandescent bulb, and the 20-watt bulb puts out the same light as a 75-watt incandescent. “If these two energy efficient bulbs replace two standard bulbs that are used an average of two hours a day, together they’ll save nearly $6 a year in electricity costs,” said Glenwood Springs City Councilwoman Shelley Kaup, a Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative Advisory Board member. “These bulbs burn for 8,000 hours, which would be about 11 years. So that’s $66 in savings over the life of the two bulbs, and that’s not even counting the cost of the replacement bulbs you won't have to buy over the next 10 to 11 years,” Kaup said. “Most people have at least 20 bulbs in their home that could be replaced with energy efficient compact fluorescents,” said Eileen Wysocki, energy auditor for Holy Cross Energy. “A whole-house lighting changeover can make a noticeable reduction in your electricity bill.” The Garfield NECI lighting campaign started in September with light bulb giveaways at Parachute’s Concert in the Park, the Glenwood Springs Downtown Market and the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association’s Biz-Opoly event. The campaign distributed more than 2,000 light bulbs at these events. Garfield Clean Energy website offers
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Nancy Genova, left, executive vice president for initiatives and innovations at Colorado Mountain College, explains why college President Dr. Stan Jensen (at far right) is signing the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment. Alton Scales, CEO of the college's Summit Campus, where the signing was held, looks on. |
Colorado Mountain College is joining 653 colleges and universities in a presidential pledge to sustainability. In a Sept. 25 ceremony at the college’s newest, and greenest, building in Breckenridge, college president Dr. Stan Jensen signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment.
“This national initiative attests to the college’s commitment to achieving climate neutrality and to providing 21st Century learners the knowledge to establish a culture of sustainability,” said Nancy Genova, at right, the college’s executive vice president for initiatives and innovations.
Institutions signing the climate commitment have promised to:
- Complete a greenhouse gas emissions inventory within one year of signing the agreement.
- Establish a climate action plan within two years that includes a target date and interim milestones for becoming climate neutral.
- Take immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by implementing at least two of a list of seven tangible actions while the climate action plan is being developed.
- Integrate sustainability into the curriculum and make it a part of the educational experience.
- Make the CMC emissions inventory, climate action plan and progress reports publicly available.
College already working to train workers, reduce energy use
Colorado Mountain College is already taking steps to initiate this commitment, college administrators said.
The college has been developing new academic courses that focus on preparing workers for jobs in the 21st Century green market. CMC recently received approval from state higher education officials to offer three solar energy certificate programs: basic solar photovoltaic, solar thermal installation and photovoltaic installation. Several campuses are also offering courses to prepare contractors for certification as National Home Builders Association Certified Green Professionals, North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners and Building Performance Institute Energy Analysts.
A year ago, CMC entered into an energy performance contract with the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office. “This contract focuses on increasing building efficiency and renewable energy sources of our facilities,” said Genova.
In fulfilling that contract, the college is undergoing a competitive bidding process for energy audits of its many buildings. Having those audits in hand will create an energy-use baseline and help the college form a plan to reduce energy costs.
Last spring, college leaders approved a plan for increasing energy- and resource-conserving practices throughout the college’s dozen locations, said Jensen. “One of our cross-college teams studying ways to improve our internal processes presented very practical recommendations on how we can be more sustainable,” he said. “As with our other process improvement teams, we’ll be actively measuring our progress on this front.”
Saving money as important as saving energy
Jensen stressed that measures the college takes to save energy and resources will also save money. “In these economic times, it’s important that we wisely invest every tax and tuition dollar,” he said. “We believe frugality and being green can, and should, go hand in hand.
“We will be very aggressive in taking these steps, but will be practical, especially when it comes to showing how we can get a great return on investment on anything we do,” Jensen told college employees and supporters at the signing of the climate commitment. “We also know that just signing a letter won’t do it. It will take the hands and minds of all of us.”
To spread action college-wide, multiple campus green teams have been formed, which are encouraging employees and students to take on projects, including the signing of a sustainability pledge. Jensen himself signed that pledge at the convocation marking the beginning of the academic year at the college’s campus in Steamboat Springs.
For more information about the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, visit www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org.
More information about CMC's solar certification programs at www.coloradomtn.edu.
Clean energy financing campaigns
win widespread support
Eagle, Pitkin and Gunnison counties ask voters
to approve “Energy Smart” ballot questions
Voters in Eagle, Pitkin and Gunnison counties are being asked to approve similar ballot questions to enable their county governments to offer clean energy financing for homeowners and businesses.
The questions are all numbered 1A and called “Energy Smart,” and they are winning widespread support from business leaders, elected officials and clean energy advocates.
The questions ask voters to give their county governments authority to issue bonds that would then be used to finance clean energy property improvements by residential and commercial property owners.
The loans are repaid on the annual property tax bill over a period of 15 to 20 years, so energy savings can more than offset the loan payment. The loan program is voluntary, and property owners who don’t borrow see no tax increase resulting from the program.
The proposals are modeled after the successful ClimateSmart Loan Program launched earlier this year by Boulder County, and enabled by state legislation, HB 1350, passed in 2008.
Gunnison County’s question would authorize $3 million in bonds, Pitkin County’s question would authorize $7 million and Eagle County’s question would authorize $10 million.
The financing will allow property owners to make energy efficiency or renewable energy improvements they might not otherwise be able to afford, and will provide a boost to insulation contractors, energy auditors, solar installers and other clean energy businesses.
The similarities between the three neighboring campaigns could go much deeper, according to Joani Matranga, Western Slope regional representative for the Governor’s Energy Office. She is working with people in all three counties to design a unified program for the energy smart loans, so they can use identical orientation materials, loan forms and cover the same clean energy improvements.
All three campaigns are hosting active websites:
EnergySmartPitkin: VoteYes1A.org
Silt seeks bids for triple solar PV project
By Suzie Romig
The Town of Silt is using its renewable energy funding from the Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative to go solar in a big way by spring 2010.
Town leaders will use $87,500 in renewable energy project funding from Garfield NECI to install three 10-kilowatt solar arrays on town-owned buildings: Town Hall, Silt Senior Housing and the Silt wastewater treatment facility. Town Administrator Betsy Suerth said the town government expects to save about $3,000 per year on its electric bills for the three buildings combined.
“Our town board is very excited about being able to participate in a partnership across the county and to be able to install a renewable energy project on three different buildings,” Suerth said. “I’m really thankful that we were able to be a partner because we can be a part of reducing the carbon footprint in our valley. Without this partnership, we would not have had the funding to do it.”
Funding for the renewable energy installations in the Garfield NECI program comes from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs.
The total cost of the 30-kilowatt solar project is estimated at $210,000, or $70,000 for each of the three locations. Silt will use its $87,500 share of Garfield NECI renewable energy funding, its $1,000 local match to G-NECI, and $105,000 in rebates from Xcel Energy to offset installation costs. In the end, the cost to the town is expected to run about $16,500, or $5,500 for each location.
Silt Public Works Director Gerry Pace said he is happy that the solar installation also will serve as a job stimulus project. The request for proposals features a slight preference for Garfield County-based solar contractors, who can exceed out-of-county bids by up to 3 percent.
With a small town budget, the renewable energy grant funding provides Silt with “a big shot in the arm,” Pace said. “It’s a terrific opportunity for the Town of Silt.”
The town also is participating in the Garfield NECI performance contracting program, which calls for energy audits and efficiency upgrades for town-owned buildings to bring energy use down.
“We really want to hear what will be the most efficient thing to do first and what will be the best investment for improvements,” Suerth said of the energy audits.
The town will accept proposals for the design and installation of the three, 10-kilowatt photovoltaic systems until 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6. Complete proposal information, including a required site inspection on Oct. 28, is available at Silt Town Hall, 231 N. 7th St.
Pace said he expects the town board to award the solar contract in late November, with installation planned to be complete by spring 2010.
Solar PV will power New Castle public works building
By Suzie Romig
After nine months of detailed planning, the Town of New Castle is moving forward to install a 70-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system on two buildings at the town’s new public works facility.
The New Castle Town Council approved a contract with Sunsense Solar on Oct. 6, said Dan Richardson, project manager for the PV system. The Carbondale-based company has started work on the installation, he added.
Town leaders opted to finance the PV system through a power purchase agreement to be managed by Hybrid Energy Group of Denver. The group develops and finances renewable energy projects using individual and corporate investors.
The town will use its $87,500 share of Garfield NECI renewable energy funding in a unique arrangement with Hybrid Energy. The money will be used to pay for the electricity produced from the system during the seven-year lease period, under an agreement similar to a lease-purchase, Richardson said.
“This agreement allows the town to maximize all funding sources and to own the system after a seven-year financing period,” Richardson explained. “Under this agreement, the cost of solar electricity will be cheaper than conventional utility-generated power from Xcel Energy.”
Sunsense owner Scott Ely said installation should be complete by the end of the year. Panels will be installed on the public works shop and the public works administration building. The system is expected to cover 75 to 100 percent of the whole facility’s electricity demand. The site is just west of downtown New Castle.
The array of 328 panels will feature SunPower modules, capable of producing 215 watts per panel -- among the most efficient solar electric modules currently on the market.
“Due to the high efficiency of the SunPower product, more watts can be produced per square foot than with conventional solar panels,” Ely explained.
At the end of the system's service life, the town will have saved more than $100,000 in energy costs, Richardson said. “This project is helping to lay the groundwork for other local municipal clean energy projects, such as the ones currently under way through the Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative.”
CORE solar PV and hot water rebates sold out for 2009
CORE, the Community Office for Resource Efficiency, announced Oct. 7 that it has spent its entire 2009 budget for solar photovoltaic and solar hot water rebates. No new rebates will likely be awarded for the remainder of the year, according to Nathan Ratledge, director of CORE.
"Faced with the popularity of installing renewables in the Roaring Fork Valley, we have met our financial limit," Ratledge said.
Ratledge said the rebate cut-off comes amid a record year for solar PV and solar hot water installations in CORE territory.
"CORE helped finance 65 PV systems and 25 solar thermal systems in the first three quarters of 2009 —- a 117 percent increase in PV installations over this time last year," Ratledge said.
Ratledge said CORE will be seeking additional funding for solar rebates, and said the agency will accept pre-applications to reserve rebates if and when funding becomes available. Ratledge encouraged residents who plan to pursue a solar PV or solar hot water project to fill out the pre-application form and "get your name in the queue."
CORE is also imposing some new rules for rebate recipients, such as requiring a home energy audit. Visit www.aspencore.org to download rebate reservation application forms and the new rebate guidelines.
DOE online info helps local governments
expand use of solar energy
The U.S. Department of Energy is offering a new online resource for local governments to assist community leaders and stakeholders in building sustainable local solar markets.
The online publication, Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments, provides local governments with proven best practices enabling them to drive economic development, support clean energy jobs, and reduce carbon emissions by building a robust local solar market.
"The guide is based on successful projects in cities across the United States, bringing together information, best practices, and step-by-step instructions into a single resource that can help local governments accelerate the adoption of solar technologies," said DOE solar energy technologies program manager John Lushetsky.
"The recommendations in the guide have been successfully field tested in cities around the country, making it a valuable resource for any community that wants to reap the environmental and economic benefits of solar energy."
The publication outlines best practices and lessons learned from 25 Solar America Cities and other local governments across the nation that have successfully increased solar energy use in their communities. It also describes the country's most innovative solar programs and policies, explains the benefits, provides implementation tips and includes brief case studies.
The best practices outlined in the guide have been designed to meet the needs of local governments from small municipalities to large counties and metropolitan centers in diverse geographic areas.
Topics included in the guide include strategies for solar initiatives, incentives, updating and enforcing local rules and regulations, engaging utilities, creative solar jobs and supporting economic development, outreach and education, and leading by example by installing solar on government buildings.
California solar-leasing firm enters Colorado market
Upfront cost to homeowners as little as $1,000
An innovative solar leasing firm from California will begin offering financing for rooftop solar PV systems in Colorado, winning praise from Gov. Bill Ritter, who signed a bill earlier this year to allow such financing arrangements.
California-based SunRun is expanding its business to Colorado as a direct outgrowth of the passage of Senate Bill 51, signed by Gov. Ritter on Earth Day 2009. SB 51 allows solar companies to build rooftop systems that homeowners can lease instead of own, dramatically reducing upfront costs for consumers and creating a new marketplace and job expansion for solar installers.
Under a solar lease arrangement, homeowners pay as little as $1,000 for a one-time system installation fee. For a small monthly fee, SunRun provides complete monitoring, repairs, insurance and a performance guarantee. Utility bill savings mean consumers often see payback from their investment in less than three years.
SunRun will partner with local solar companies, and its arrival in Colorado is expected to lead to dozens of new jobs for installers. So far in 2009, SunRun’s partners in other states - including Arizona, California and Massachusetts - have seen consistent job increases. Larger installation partners have hired as many as 20 additional people in their first three months working with SunRun.
“Gov. Ritter and his staff are some of the country’s leading green thinkers, and we’re excited to be working with them to develop clean energy solutions that make financial sense for homeowners and taxpayers,” said Lynn Jurich, president and cofounder of SunRun.
“I am pleased to welcome SunRun to Colorado as the newest member of our growing New Energy Economy,” Gov. Ritter said. “With great support from the Legislature, we’ve passed some of the most forward-thinking legislation in the country to help us attract companies like SunRun to Colorado. Not only are we creating sustainable jobs, we are lowering energy costs, increasing energy security and leading America toward a new energy future."
Gov. Ritter highlighted the solar leasing approach at the heart of SunRun’s expansion as part of his 2009 State of the State Address in January. In just nine months, the concept was turned into legislation, new jobs and new opportunities. Sen. Morgan Carroll and Rep. Claire Levy sponsored the legislation.
“The service provided by SunRun is exactly what ordinary homeowners in Colorado need to join in the benefits of Colorado’s New Energy Economy,” Rep. Levy said. “I am pleased that SunRun has seized the opportunities created by Senate Bill 51.”
"We are very excited to welcome SunRun to Colorado. This will mean more affordable access to solar for thousands of homeowners and great job growth and economic development for our state,” said Sen. Carroll.
Xcel Energy's efficiency programs now apply
to customers using all-electric heating
Xcel Energy's all-electric customers are now eligible for the utility's rebates for home insulation and the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program. The rebates were previously only offered to Xcel Energy customers that purchased both natural gas and electricity from the utility.
Now, Xcel Energy customers who use electric baseboard heating systems as a primary heating source can take advantage of the rebates. Customers can choose to simply add insulation to their attic or walls and receive a rebate of 20 percent of the costs, up to $300.
Or they can enroll in the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program, which starts with a discounted home energy audit, continues with insulation, air sealing and lighting upgrades, and offers rebates for appliance upgrades. Customers have a full year to carry out their selected energy efficiency options under the Home Performance program.
More information on insulation rebates.
More information on Home Performance with ENERGY STAR.
DOE funds carbon sequestration project in Craig
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded $3.8 million in Recovery Act funds for a research project that will investigate the suitability of geologic formations deep under northwestern Colorado for long-term sequestration of carbon dioxide.
The research project, “Characterization of Most Promising Sequestration Formations in the Rocky Mountain Region,” was submitted by a public-private consortium headed by the Colorado Geological Survey and the University of Utah. Other partners include the Utah Geological Survey, Shell Exploration and Production, Tri-State Generation and Transmission and Schlumberger Carbon Services.
The project partners will provide $1 million in matching funds, bringing the total project cost to $4.8 million.
“Finding cleaner ways of producing and consuming traditional fuels is key to meeting our climate initiative targets,” said Gov. Bill Ritter. “This project will enable us to expand our research into the viability of carbon sequestration in northwest Colorado and throughout the Rockies.”
Colorado has several potential opportunities for carbon storage, including storage in oil and gas reservoirs, in coalbed reservoirs, in deep rock aquifers containing salt water and through advanced mineralization engineering. This project will examine the storage potential of deep saline aquifers.
The specific goal of the project is to evaluate whether three formations located about 8,000 feet underground can be used to capture and store carbon dioxide, or CO2. The project site is located on a Colorado State Land Board tract south of the Craig Power Station.
“This is exciting stuff,” said Vince Matthews, director of the Colorado Geological Survey. “Since these formations are found throughout the Rockies, the results of this research should be very useful to carbon sequestration work in a number of states.”
Matthews also noted that the project will expand on the Colorado Geological Survey’s previous work on carbon sequestration. In 2005, the Geological Survey published “CO2 Sequestration Potential of Colorado,” a detailed characterization of carbon emissions and carbon storage potential in Colorado.
Matthews will serve as a co-principal investigator along with and Dr. Brian McPherson from the University of Utah, which will administer project funding.
A CGS field team will map the surface geology with helicopter support and analyze available seismic and borehole data in the vicinity of the large structure. CGS will also obtain and analyze rock cores from three formations at a depth of about 8,000 feet.
CGS senior petroleum geologist Genevieve Young will integrate all of the geologic data and coordinate with the University of Utah on a computer modeling analysis regarding the potential for CO2 sequestration in these formations.
The northwestern Colorado project is one of 11 projects nationwide awarded nearly $50 million by the DOE to study carbon dioxide storage and sequestration.
Read the U.S. Department of Energy news release.
Basalt wins Reusable Bag Challenge
The town of Basalt has won the Colorado Association of Ski Towns (CAST) Reusable Bag Challenge, which ended Sept. 1. Over the six-month challenge, the 31 participating resort towns in Western states avoided consumption of more than 5 million single-use disposable bags.
As the challenge winner, Basalt wins the prize of a 1.5-kilowatt solar photovoltaic installation on a public school, valued at $10,000. The prize was donated by Alpine Bank and PCL Construction, and the system will be installed at cost by Independent Power Systems of Boulder.
Since the competition began on March 1, participating stores have been responsible for tallying reusable bags used or purchased by customers at checkout. Participating stores included Safeway, Walmart, King Soopers, City Market, Clark’s Market and Ace Hardware. The winning community was determined on bag savings per capita.
Participating towns included Telluride, Aspen, Mountain Village, Snowmass Village, Basalt, Carbondale, Gunnison, Silverthorne, Dillon, Breckenridge, Frisco, Granby, Winter Park, Fraser, Avon, Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte, Durango, Eagle, Edwards, Estes Park, Grand Lake, Gypsum, Silverton, Steamboat Springs, Gunnison and Vail. Jackson Hole, Park City, Sun Valley, Ketchum, Hailey and Bellevue also participated.
Winter Park, Fraser and Granby, which competed together, took the runner-up position, while Summit County took third.
Organizers launched the bag challenge to address the issues of litter and greenhouse gases emitted from bag manufacturing. An estimated 4 billion plastic bags end up as litter every year worldwide. That's enough bags to circle the Earth 63 times. In the United States alone, yearly manufacture of disposable bags emits nearly 4 million tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent greenhouse gases.
“Reducing our use of plastic bags will not save the planet. However, small steps do make a difference. Carrying a reusable shopping bag is a reminder to us all that we each can, and should, do something to protect our environment,” said Katherine Dart, the CAST challenge organizer in Aspen for CORE.
TRAINING
High Performance Buildings Workshop
Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009
Noon to 5 p.m.
Mesa State College, Grand Mesa Residence Hall, Grand Junction
Free
Representatives of the Governor's Energy Office (GEO) are touring the state to meet with people involved in all phases of achieving high performance building in their communities. GEO's High Performance Building Program drives the value of the built environment in Colorado through a collaborative process encompassing planning, funding, design, construction, operations and maintenance.
- Discover opportunities to partner with GEO's High Performance Building team on your project.
- Learn about financial, social and environmental advantages of high performance building.
- Uncover resources available to projects with state-mandated LEED requirements.
- Network with other regional professionals implementing high performance building techniques within similar organizations.
- Get to know GEO representatives working in your area.
Green Professional Certification Courses
Wednesday, Dec. 2 to Friday, Dec. 4
Aspen Meadows Resort, Aspen
Fees:
M2M-HBA members: $350 for two-day Green Building course; $200 for one-day Business Management course
Non-members: $425 for two-day Green Building course; $250 for one-day Business Management course
Register: (970) 925-7740
The Green Building Academy at Colorado Mountain College will host the two-day Green Building for Building Professionals course on Dec. 2-3 and the one-day Business Management for Building Professionals course on Dec. 4 at Aspen Meadows Resort.
The course instructor is 30-year professional John Barrow, a nationally recognized speaker on green building and author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Building and Remodeling.
Participants in the Green Building for Building Professionals course will learn how to incorporate green building principles into home building, remodeling and other construction projects without driving up the cost. Students will gain a solid background in green building methods as well as tools to reach consumers with green solutions.
Students in the Business Management for Building Professionals course will learn how to overcome common business management problems and improve business and personnel operations.
Students will learn about building within the new benchmark for green construction, the National Green Building Standard, the first and only green building rating system approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
The offerings are presented in conjunction with The Aspen Institute, the Mountain to Mesa Home Builders Association and the National Association of Home Builders. For more information, contact Dr. Rick Johnson, CMC instructional chair, at 925-7740 ext. 2417.BPI Building Analyst Training
Week-long and three-day intensive classes offered
This comprehensive training program teaches you how to apply building science technology to help customers solve heating, cooling and air leakage problems that are driving high energy costs, while also providing them with a more comfortable, safe and durable home. Building science training will benefit your business and help the community to become more energy efficient.
Full Building Analyst Course with both exams
Dates: Jan. 11-18, 2010
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 30-minute lunch break
Place: Colorado Mountain College Aspen Campus
Fee: $1,600 includes lunches and fees for written and field exams
This BPI Building Analyst training provides core building science knowledge, concepts, and field practice to prepare candidates to pass the Building Performance Institute (BPI) certification exams.
The course is intended for individuals who have no previous building analyst training. The course covers the fundamentals of building science and analyzing building performance problems including energy efficiency, safety, health, and indoor air quality, as required for BPI Building Analyst certification exams.
Intensive Building Analyst Course with both exams
Dates: Jan. 29-30, 2010
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 30-minute lunch break
Place: Colorado Mountain College Aspen Campus
Fee: $550 includes lunches and fees for written and field exams
This intensive BPI Building Analyst Exam Prep reviews core building science knowledge and concepts and provides field practice to prepare candidates to pass the Building Performance Institute (BPI) certification exams.
The course is intended for individuals who have already completed some building analyst training, but would like additional review and practice before taking the certification exams. The course schedule is:
- Friday, Jan. 29: classroom review followed by written exam
- Saturday, Jan. 30: field review and practice with a BPI certified instructor using testing equipment
- Sunday, Jan. 31 or Monday, Feb. 1: one-on-one field exams
Space is limited for both classes, and early registration is recommended. To register, call Colorado Mountain College Aspen Campus, (970) 925-7740.
More course information, contact Rick Johnson, CMC Aspen Instructional Chair, (970) 925-7740, ex. 2417 or wjohnson@coloradomtn.edu.
More information about BPI certification: www.bpi.org or (518) 899-2727
LEED Green Associate Prep Course
Dates: Feb. 19-20, 2010 or April 16-17, 2010
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Colorado Mountain College Aspen Campus
Fee: $250 includes lunches
Register: CMC Aspen (970) 925-7740 or www.coloradomtn.edu
This prep course is for design professionals, real estate professionals, developers, building owners, contractors and project managers. The instructor is architect Eric Wood. This course will cover:
- LEED rating systems and sustainable building concepts
- Preparation for a LEED professional credentialing exam
- How to implement green building in real life
EVENTS
Green Drinks in Carbondale
Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009
5 to 7 p.m.
Third Street Center, 520 S. 3rd St., Carbondale
Cash bar
SCoR, the Sustainability Center of the Rockies, hosts its monthly Green Drinks event at the Third Street Center. The event draws a lively mixture of people from NGOs, academia, government and business. It’s a great way of catching up with people you know and for making new contacts. Cash bar, healthy snacks and great conversation. www.greendrinks.org
International Climate Action Day
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009
The climate advocacy organization 350.org is encouraging communities around the world to plan demonstrations. Many scientists and climate experts say 350 parts per million is the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere.
Climate activists are planning demonstrations, and plan to send photographs from the events to government officials to send a unified message of “Act now to curb global warming.” Here are the events going on locally:
New Castle
10 a.m., Alder Park
Participants will be arranged to form the number “350” for a photograph.
Carbondale "Dale for the Day"
3:50 p.m., Third Street Center
Parade of bikes, roller skates, strollers and walkers. Please bring a donation of non-perishable food for Lift Up. Celebration to follow at Dos Gringos.
Aspen
3 p.m., Gondola Plaza
Participants will be arranged to spell out the words "SAVE SNOW" on a snowless mountain. Please wear your winter sports gear. National Geographic photographer John Catto will photograph the array. Celebration to follow at Ajax Tavern, with music by the Powder Hounds, free beer, soda, and whiskey, and drawings for prizes.
Clean Energy Bits ‘n Bobs
Holy Cross Energy is a major winner of a $26,675 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Renewable Energy for America Program. The electric co-op will use the funding to replace aging electric boilers and upgrade lighting systems in its Glenwood Springs headquarters building.
The Garfield County Solar Home Tour on Oct. 3 was a big success. More than 120 people visited one or more of the six homes on display in the Carbondale and Glenwood Springs area. Solar-powered homeowners who opened their doors were Keith and Carrie Brand, Laurie Guevara-Stone and Anibal Guevara, Jock Jacober and Lynette O’Kane, Dan and Holly Richardson and Craig and Shannon Ullman. Lead organizers for the event were Bob Millette and fellow members of the Roaring Fork Sierra Club, along with Suzie Romig of the New Castle Environmental Advisory Committee.
Clean Energy Transportation Week, held Oct. 5-9 in elementary and middle schools from Parachute to Aspen, was a great success. New to the event this year were the Garfield Re-2 and Garfield 16 school districts, where 120 classrooms in 11 schools participated. The aim was to motivate students to walk, ride their bikes, ride the bus or carpool to school.
New Castle Town Clerk Lisa Cain has added a new page to the town’s website that focuses on environmental events, initiatives and issues in New Castle. Check it out at www.newcastlecolorado.org/environment
Attention insulation and HVAC contractors, solar installers, LEED professionals, ENERGY STAR builders, energy auditors and building analysts. The new Garfield Clean Energy website includes a “Contractor locator” feature. If you’d like to be listed, please register your info. Visit www.GarfieldCleanEnergy.org > Contractor resources > Register your info.