Clean Energy Economy News | Online edition
Dec. 16, 2009 | Vol. 2, No. 12
In this issue
back to top
Garfield NECI tallies hefty list of results in 2009
 The Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative is ending its first year of the two-year project, and program managers Alice Laird and Heather McGregor sat down with pencil and paper to list the results so far. These gains for clean energy in Garfield County reflect the work of scores of households, businesses, government staff, elected officials and volunteers. The benefits of collaboration are just as impressive as the energy savings, and everyone who played a role in the Initiative deserves a high-five for the accomplishments of 2009! Here is a summary:
Residential programs and services
One Stop Shop website: visit www.garfieldcleanenergy.org for comprehensive resources and tools for clean energy in Garfield County, including full list of energy efficiency and renewable rebates, incentives and services.
 ENERGY STAR New Homes: Free four-part Builder Training Series held in Rifle on energy efficient construction materials and techniques, plus a special training on ENERGY STAR for real estate professionals. Behind-the-scenes work with building departments on incorporating ENERGY STAR standards into community building codes. More info.
 Home energy efficiency campaign: Community outreach booths at events in Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, New Castle, Silt, Rifle and Parachute from April through October.
 Waste Not, Watt Not! lighting campaign: Distributed nearly 8,000 bulbs at community events in Parachute, Glenwood Springs and Carbondale, and at town halls throughout county. A special outreach campaign for seniors has installed 69 bulbs at New Castle senior housing and will continue in other Garfield County communities in the new year. More info.
Insulate Colorado: 20 residential insulation and air sealing upgrades funded by rebates, plus promotion for Xcel Energy and SourceGas customers to take advantage of utility rebates.
More info.
Commercial programs and services
Save Energy, Save Money workshop: held Jan. 14 for commercial and local government energy users, featuring Rob Keller, energy management and engineering services director for JC Penney Co.
 Commercial Audit & Retrofit Demonstration (CARD): provided free commercial energy audits for six participating businesses in Glenwood Springs, along with rebates for energy efficiency upgrades focused on electrical savings. More info.
Greening Government
Performance contracting: Selection of the energy services company Ennovate of Arvada to provide technical energy audits for Garfield NECI local government partners. Ennovate may also enter into energy efficiency performance contracting with the partners in 2010. More info.
 Rifle LED streetlights: Installation of LED fixtures for 23 street lights in downtown Rifle, resulting in 64 percent reduction in electrical use and 55 percent reduction in operating costs. Rifle Downtown Development Association converted to LED holiday lights. More info.
Pilot ENERGY STAR program: Using common sense and technical expertise, New Energy Technology worked with the Roaring Fork School District and the Town of Carbondale to collect utility data, enact energy-saving practices and launch online energy tracking. Total savings to date in the schools is more than $50,000.
Countywide ENERGY STAR program: Energy database for all Garfield NECI partners under construction using EnergyCAP software to assist with energy management and guide energy savings.
Energy efficiency guidelines and technical assistance: Design-phase consultation on energy efficiency provided to Library District and Garfield County for new buildings in Rifle.
back to top
Renewable Energy
Garfield 1 Megawatt Campaign: Inspiring the public and private sectors to install 1 megawatt of new renewable energy in Garfield County
Garfield NECI local government partner installations: Professional inventory conducted of optimal solar PV options for 7 G-NECI partners.
- Installation nearing completion at New Castle
- Silt projects bid awarded
- Plans approved for Rifle, Carbondale and Parachute; approval pending for Library District’s Rifle and Parachute buildings
- Glenwood Springs pursuing solar thermal for the Community Center
- Otions under consideration for Garfield County
Seven approved projects result in installed capacity of 185 kilowatts and projected annual power production of 280,000 kilowatt-hours worth $22,500.
Garfield-NECI’s $725,000 in renewable energy grants have leveraged more than $500,000 in Xcel solar rebates, and $47,000 in other grants and rebates, and a power purchase agreement for New Castle. More info.
 Glenwood Springs solar rebates: Five residential and three commercial installations yielded 32 kW in installed capacity, which more than doubled Glenwood Electric’s solar portfolio;
$90,000 in rebates stimulated another $132,000 in private sector investment in renewable energy.
Energy Efficient Transportation and Community Design
 Clean Energy Transportation Options: First ever Bike to Work events held in New Castle and Rifle in June; Clean Energy Transportation Week classroom challenge involved 120 elementary and middle school classrooms in from Parachute to Carbondale through G-NECI partnership with City of Glenwood Springs staff and RFTA. More info.
Energy efficient transportation and community design: Growing Cooler workshop, held June 19, drew 110 people to hear keynote speaker Reid Ewing and others explain the links between community design, driving and fuel consumption.
Clean energy vehicle and fuels program: Guides developed for fleet efficiency programs, posted on website; technical assistance being provided for local governments to save money and fuel through fleet efficiency programs.
Code review on energy efficient community design: Sonoran Institute, a Garfield NECI community partner, is reviewing land use codes in Rifle, Silt and New Castle, and working with planners to recommend changes to support transit, biking and walking.
Sustainability Team and Clean Energy Financing
Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative: Formation of an intergovernmental Advisory Board to guide the program and develop a plan for continued sustainability efforts in Garfield County. More info.
Property-Assessed Clean Energy Financing: Work under way with Garfield County staff to create an opt-in Local Improvement District for Garfield County that provides the structure for financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to residential and commercial property.
Upfront capital: Manaus Fund, a Garfield NECI community partner, is providing low interest working capital to cover the upfront costs of renewable energy installation on Carbondale senior housing.
DOE Retrofit Ramp-Up: Garfield NECI is joining with Denver and Boulder on a statewide grant proposal to expand programs for neighborhood and business district energy conservation and efficiency programs.
back to top
Super energy-efficient LED holiday lights are affordable
By Suzie Romig
Clean Energy Economy News
Now that December is here, homes, businesses and streets in Garfield County are glowing with the festive lights of the holiday season. But celebrating the holidays doesn’t mean energy efficiency has to be thrown out the window.
 In the past few years, energy-efficient, long-lasting LED lights have gone down in price and up in availability. Several local stores now carry affordable LED-powered holiday lights.
For example, Ace Hardware of Carbondale on Highway 133 currently is participating in a promotion with Lights for Life, a Loveland-based nonprofit that collects used incandescent holiday lights and sells the copper components to raise money for children with cancer (www.lightsforlifeinc.com). Ace in Carbondale is offering $2 discounts through Dec. 31 on each new set of LED lights that customers purchase when they bring in a string of old or broken incandescent lights for recycling.
Glenwood Springs resident Jim Waters, owner of the local Christmas Décor franchise, said his company uses about 85 percent LED lighting. Even though commercial-grade LED Christmas lights still cost more, Waters can power many more bulbs on fewer electrical circuits.
For example, one tree in downtown Glenwood Springs that previously used 8,000 incandescent bulbs powered by three, 15-amp receptacles now can be lit with 18,000 LED mini-lights, but uses just one 15-amp circuit.
Waters said the LED bulbs he decorates with are expected to last 50,000 hours, compared to 2,000 hours for incandescent bulbs. The LED bulbs break less easily, which is an advantage for a company that deals with some 40,000 strings of lights each year.
Municipalities are moving to LED, or light emitting-diode, bulbs as well. Mike Braaten, government affairs and energy coordinator for Rifle, reports that the city, Rifle Chamber of Commerce, Rifle Downtown Development Authority and Visitor Improvement Fund Board contributed funding to purchase about $15,000 in new LED holiday lighting and decorations to install on Railroad Avenue and Third and Fourth streets.
LED lights use 90 percent less electricity than traditional incandescent lights and require little maintenance, according to the Alliance to Save Energy, a nonprofit coalition of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders.
The low-wattage lights, which do not contain harmful gases or metals, can pay for themselves in two years of use. LED lights also alleviate concerns about hot lights mounted next to flammable decorations or on dried-out tree branches.
“These newer bulbs are sturdy, last up to 100,000 hours, or 20 years, and barely warm up, eliminating fire concerns,” according to the Alliance to Save Energy’s website.
The California Energy Commission reported on the cost savings possible during a typical holiday season. The 2008 comparison involved the use of 600 lights burning six hours a day for 30 days. Using the U.S. average cost of 12 cents per kilowatt hour, traditional incandescent Christmas lights cost $64.80 to power for the month, incandescent mini-lights cost $5.51 and LED lights cost only $1.09.
In western Colorado, where electric rates are about 8 cents per kWh, the traditional incandescent Christmas lights would cost $43.20 to power for the month, incandescent mini-lights would cost $3.67 and LED lights cost only 73 cents.
back to top
Gov. Ritter announces $1.5 million in new energy "NEED" economic grants
 Gov. Bill Ritter awarded 14 New Energy Economic Development (NEED) grants to recipients across Colorado for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that will help create and retain jobs, strengthen local economies, and save money and energy.
Recipients include several Western Colorado projects, including a biomass project at Western State College in Gunnison, a solar PV project in Telluride and a micro-hydro project in Ouray.
The grants, which total about $1.5 million and are funded by the Recovery Act, will go to small businesses, school districts, nonprofits and municipalities.
“These grants reflect the way Coloradans in every corner of Colorado are helping to advance the New Energy Economy,” Gov. Ritter said. “They reflect the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit that is making Colorado a national leader in building a clean-energy future and a leader in the nation’s economic recovery. These projects will help create jobs, reduce energy usage and save money.”
The NEED grants were awarded after a competitive process involving more than 200 applicants seeking nearly $45 million. The 14 grant projects will leverage more than $3.3 million in public-private local matching funds for a combined $5.8 million investment in Colorado communities.
The Governor’s Energy Office has awarded three previous NEED grant rounds in 2008 and 2009, totaling nearly $1.4 million for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects throughout Colorado. This is the first round of NEED grants funded with Recovery Act dollars. The Energy Office anticipates two more rounds of NEED grants before September 2010, with the next round likely to offer $2 million in grant funding early next year.
“The significant interest in NEED grants show how powerfully our communities and business operators are engaged in building a new energy future,” said Energy Office Director Tom Plant. “Projects that target investment in emerging technologies, increase the market penetration of well-established technologies and attract New Energy Economy investments to Colorado were selected."
back to top
The 14 Colorado NEED award winners are:
Town of Telluride: The Town of Telluride received $50,000 to install a photovoltaic array at the Telluride Wastewater Treatment Plant at Society Turn. Contact: Karen Guglielmone, Town of Telluride, KGuglielmone@telluride-co.gov, 970.728.0190, www.telluride-co.gov.
Western State College: Located in Gunnison County, received $284,000 to convert the existing conventional gas boiler system to a woody biomass system at Taylor Hall. Contact: Tracey Koehler, Western State College, tkoehler@western.edu, 970.943.3038, www.western.edu.
Astralux Power Systems: This Boulder-based company received $59,940 to install a photovoltaic system to offset irrigation costs at the Crouse Farm located in Alamosa, CO. Contact: Jesse Malcomb, Astralux Power Systems, Malcomb@aessolarenergy.com, 303.413.1440, www.AstraluxSolar.com.
Mesa County Valley School District: Located on the Western Slope, this organization received $103,152 in matching funds to install Solatube technology at Dos Rios and Pear Park Elementary School(s). Contact: Jeff Kirtland, Mesa County Valley School District, Kirtland@mesa.k12.co.us, 970.254.5112, www.d51schools.org.
City of Ouray: The City of Ouray received $30,000 to install a micro-hydro generating unit located at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool. Contact: Patrick Rondinelli, City of Ouray, rondinellip@ci.ouray.co.us, 970.325.7060, www.cityofouray.com.
Energistic Systems: Based in Golden, this company received $100,000 for continued manufacturing of the SunTrac Concentrating Collector system a new and innovative solar-thermal system. Contact William Lowstuter, Energistic Systems, blowstuter@energisticsystems.us, 303.807.3497, www.energisticsystems.us.
Aurora Comprehensive Community Mental Health Center: Aurora MentalHealth Center received $29,739 for of a multi-phase energy conservation retrofit project. Contact: Cindy Bohl, Aurora Mental Health, cindybohl@aumhc.org, 303.617-2313, www.aumhc.org.
B&H Industries: Located in Denver, this company received $145,000 to install a photovoltaic system adjacent to a livestock feeding operation in Rocky Ford. Contact: Joe Burdick, B&H Industries, jbbtu96@yahoo.com, 303.274.4358, www.burdicktechnologies.com.
Buena Vista School District: Buena Vista School District received $130,000 for an HVAC system retrofit at the Dorthea Willie P.E. complex. Contact: Shelly Mueller, shellym@buena-vista.k12.co.us, 719.395.7000, www.bvschools.org.
Calhan School District: Located in El Paso County, Calhan School Districtreceived $305,000 to replace the existing HVAC system with a ground source heat pump system at the Calhan School. Contact: Linda Miller,Calhan School District, linmiller@calhanschool.org , 719.347.2541, www.calhanschool.org.
Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP): Based in Denver, this organization received $65,800 to develop a green building code for the City and County of Denver. Contact: Gene Dilworth, SWEEP, gdilworth@swenergy.org, 303.447.0078 ext. 3., www.swenergy.org.
Denver Regional Council of Governments: Located in Denver, the Denver Regional Council of Governments received $189,120 to develop a web-based information portal that will allow building owners to estimate the costs and benefits of installing photovoltaic systems on their buildings. Contact: Marty Burgess, DRCOG, mburgess@drcog.org, 303.480.6706, www.drcog.org.
Penikin, Inc.: Based in Grand Junction, this organization received $30,000 to launch the Colorado Geothermal Heat Exchange Association (CGHEA), a non-profit advocacy group that will promote the installation and education of geothermal heat exchange systems (GHE). Contact: Ben Northcutt, Penikin, Inc., bnorthcutt@q.com, 970.846.0303.
Merewether Farms: Located in Karval, CO, Merewether Farms received $11,529 to install a single Hummer Wind Turbine which will help to offset utility based energy costs of the farm. Contact: Dan Merewether, Merewether Farms, dmerewet@plains.net, 719.446.5403.
back to top
New report maps path forward
on Colorado’s electricity, carbon goals
Renewable energy development infrastructure study outlines need for transmission,
utility-scale renewable energy, efficiency and natural gas investments
Gov. Bill Ritter released a new report on Dec. 2 mapping out how Colorado’s electricity sector can reduce carbon dioxide emissions 20 percent over the next decade by significantly expanding investments in new high-voltage transmission and utility-scale renewable energy, increasing emphasis on energy efficiency and developing a greater role for natural gas.
The Renewable Energy Development Infrastructure (REDI) report concludes that expansion of Colorado’s high-voltage transmission infrastructure will considerably improve the reliability of the state’s electricity delivery system and accommodate greater development of renewable energy from rural Colorado to electric customers across the state.
“Updating and expanding our aging and constrained transmission infrastructure is a critical piece of our New Energy Economy,” Gov. Ritter said. “Investment in transmission means jobs and a major boost to Colorado’s economy, including in rural areas that are home to many of our state’s richest renewable energy resources.
"Bringing dependable, affordable clean energy – whether solar, wind or natural gas – from where it’s generated to where it’s needed the most will keep Colorado on the leading edge in a world moving fast toward a new energy future,” he said.
Assuming no development of new technologies like carbon capture and storage, the REDI report found there is a gap between the modeled emissions by 2020 if utilities comply with no more than Colorado’s minimum statutory requirements and the state’s goal of reducing carbon emissions 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. The report outlines how various groups working in partnership could close the gap by taking a variety of steps, including:
- Greatly increasing investment in reducing energy demand through improvements in energy efficiency, conservation and a number of “demand-side management” techniques available to industry, business and consumers.
- Taking greater advantage of Colorado’s world-class wind and solar resources by rapidly increasing investment in utility-scale renewable energy facilities.
- Accelerating construction of high-voltage electric power transmission to deliver renewable energy from Colorado’s renewable resource generation development areas to the state’s major load centers.
- Strategically use natural gas-fired power generation to provide needed new power to the grid and to more easily integrate naturally variable renewable resources on to the grid.
- Consider reducing power generation from and/or early retirement of the oldest and least efficient of the state’s coal-fired generating stations.
The REDI Report was funded with a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and includes a wealth of detail about electric power in Colorado. The report contains:
- Baseline data on Colorado’s generation and transmission infrastructure
- History of the state’s electricity sector, including details on the planning and regulation of the state’s electricity supplies
- Information on the economics of high-voltage transmission, including finance, regulatory and market issues
- Information on plans for expansion of the state’s high-voltage transmission system
- Local, state and federal roles in permitting and siting of transmission lines
- Options to increase the connection of Colorado’s utility-scale renewable resources to the state and regional power grid
A primary objective of the REDI Project is to provide the public with a stronger technical understanding of Colorado’s electricity sector, and transmission in particular. Additional technical reports for the project have been prepared by consultants selected by GEO through a competitive bidding process.
In all, the REDI Project consists of
back to top
Aspen’s November temps show warming trends
By Sally Spaulding
City of Aspen
Recent data from the City of Aspen show November of 2009’s high temperature at about 7 degrees warmer than the historic average. In recent years, November in Aspen has been warming faster than any other month.
November temperatures have been warming at the rate of six degrees per decade for the high temperatures and four degrees per decade for the low temperatures.
“That is why scientists focus on longer-term trends to evaluate climate,” explained Kim Peterson, Aspen’s global warming program manager. “Short-term changes from month to month are much more variable.”
November’s temperatures were a concern for snowmaking, since November is a key month for making snow. This November did not have any days with below-zero temperatures, although December has already broken some records for cold temperatures.
The graph below shows how November average high and low temperatures have increased over the last several years.
The warmest November daytime average during this period was in 2007, and the warmest nighttime average was in 2001.
Particulate air pollution levels (PM-10), on the other hand, were close to average for November. November is usually a month with low pollution levels, because there is less traffic. “Almost all PM-10 on high pollution days comes from traffic,” said Aspen’s Environmental Health Director Lee Cassin.
Another factor keeping PM-10 levels down may have been the low precipitation. “This November had the second-lowest precipitation of any November in the last 10 years, so streets would not have gotten as much sand and dirt tracked out as usual,” Cassin said.
The average PM-10 level in November was 18.4 millionths of a gram of PM-10 in each cubic meter of air, compared to a federal standard of 50.
The City of Aspen has several programs designed to reduce both PM-10 and greenhouse gas emissions, from the in-town and valley mass transit systems, HOV lanes, paid parking (revenues paying for transit), rebates for free home energy audits, and the ability to buy Canary Tags to offset greenhouse gas emissions that cannot be avoided.
More info: Aspen/Pitkin Environmental Health | Aspen Canary Initiative
back to top
CORE hosts 2010 Home Energy Makeover Contest
 CORE is offering a chance for 50 households in the Roaring Fork Valley to participate in the Roaring Fork Valley Home Energy Makeover Contest. Contest participants will be able to attend five classes on home energy efficiency classes from January to October, get a free home energy audit and compete for $2,500 in cash prizes.
The classes, hosted by CORE staff and local energy professionals, will walk folks through the weatherization and home energy efficiency process. The contest will pit the 50 participating households in a competition to see who can make the biggest reductions in their 2010 energy consumption compared to 2009. The grand prize is $1,000 cash.
Applications are being accepted now from all residents in the Roaring Fork Valley. More info at www.aspencore.org
back to top
EIA publishes seven new reports on U.S. energy use
The U.S. Energy Information Administration, the source of summarized and in-depth information about the nation’s energy use and supplies, has published seven new online reports on energy topics in the past month. For a quick education on current topics in energy, visit the EIA website to read these useful reports.
 11/20: What are renewable portfolio standards (RPS) and how do they affect generation of electricity from renewable sources?
Renewable portfolio standards are policies designed to increase electricity generation from renewable resources, including wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass. Many states have their own renewable portfolio standards, although currently there is no program at the national level. States with renewable portfolio programs have seen an increase in the amount of electricity generated from renewable fuels.
12/9: What are the major sources and users of energy in the United States?
The major energy sources in the United States are petroleum (oil), natural gas, coal, nuclear, and renewable energy. The major users are residential and commercial buildings, industry, transportation, and electric power generation. The pattern of fuel use varies widely by sector. For example, oil provides 95% of the energy used for transportation, but only 1% of the energy used to generate electric power. Understanding the relationships between the different energy sources and their uses provides insights into many important energy issues.
 12/8: How much renewable energy do we use?
Americans used renewable energy sources -- water (hydroelectric), geothermal, wind, sun (solar), and biomass -- to meet about 7 percent of our total energy needs in 2008.
12/10: How dependent are we on foreign oil?
The United States imported about 57 percent of the petroleum, which includes crude oil and refined petroleum products, that we consumed during 2008. Nearly half of these imports came from the Western Hemisphere. Our dependence on foreign petroleum is expected to decline in the next two decades.
12/11: What role does liquefied natural gas (LNG) play as an energy source for the United States?
On an annual basis from 2003 to 2008, the United States imported between 13 and 16 percent of its natural gas requirements. Most of these imports were in gaseous form delivered by pipeline from Canada. However, natural gas imports have also come in liquid form from overseas. Between 1 and 3 percent of U.S. demand for natural gas was met by LNG from 2003 to 2008.
12/14: What is the status of the U.S. nuclear industry?
There are currently 104 commercial nuclear reactors at 65 nuclear power plants in 31 states. Since 1990, the share of the nation's total electricity supply provided by nuclear power generation has averaged about 20 percent, with the level of nuclear generation growing at roughly the same rate as overall electricity use.
12/14: How can we compare or add up our energy consumption?
To compare or aggregate energy consumption across different energy sources like oil, natural gas, and electricity, we must use a common unit of measure. This is similar to calculating your food energy intake by adding up the calories in whatever you eat.
back to top
Sopris Foundation European Report
Energy ID cards posted on public buildings in Germany
By Piper Foster
Sopris Foundation Director
Public buildings in Europe must acquire an energy performance certificate and hang it in plain view. This label is the nutritional facts of the built environment.
 Since it's easy to forget how much energy big buildings consume, a visual depiction of a building's efficiency (or not) hangs on the wall for all to see.
These "energy identity cards" establish a common basis for comparing similar buildings all over Germany. Hospitals, libraries, swimming pools, high schools, restaurants, prisons, and offices must rate their buildings with an accredited energy auditor. Owners then hang the declaration about their building in a prominent spot within the entry hall.
The Energy ID card lists a building's technical specs. A bar graph displays all energy used for cooling, ventilation, heat, lighting, and hot water.
Also depicted is a scale, ranging from green to red. This benchmarks where the building lies in comparison with its peers. Old construction vs. new construction, relative size, purpose and age of building are all taken into account.
As of January 2009, all residential buildings and homes in Germany must also have an audit and energy performance certificate.
Read the whole story
back to top
Trainings
Free ENERGY STAR Builders Training Series offered in Rifle
Builders, building subcontractors and residents interested in energy efficiency are invited to attend a construction site training session at a Caribou Construction ENERGY STAR new home being built in Rifle.
The fourth session in the free ENERGY STAR Builders Training Series, Diagnostic Equipment and Final Certification, is Thursday, Dec. 17, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Caribou Construction ENERGY STAR new home, 1579 Rifle Heights in Rifle. Newcomers are welcome.
Instructor Fritz Diether, a certified Home Energy Rating System consultant and owner of the Grand Junction-based company Frostbusters & Coolth, will instruct on the use of diagnostic equipment to measure building performance of an ENERGY STAR home.
Students will learn to test a new home using blower door, duct blaster and infrared camera equipment, which reveal gaps in air sealing and insulation.
The series is co-sponsored by Habitat for Humanity, the City of Rifle, Garfield County, Mountain to Mesa Homebuilders Association, the Governor’s Energy Office, Clean Energy Economy for the Region and the Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative.
Register by Dec. 16 by contacting Rob Morey, ENERGY STAR program assistant for Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative, at (970) 384-7953 or RMorey@CleanEnergyEconomy.net.
More information at www.GarfieldCleanEnergy.org.
back to top
CMC web site features info on Green Building Academy
By Mike McKibbin
Colorado Mountain College
Information about the programs and certifications offered by Colorado Mountain College’s Green Building Academy is now available online.
The Web site, coloradomtn.edu/gba, includes curriculum information, upcoming trainings, contact and registration information and a list of partner companies and agencies.
The Green Building Academy began operating out of the CMC campuses in Aspen and Rifle earlier this year, with plans to expand to other campuses in the future.
Courses offered through the academy help prepare students to analyze the energy efficiency of existing buildings; use energy-efficiency analysis to recommend retrofit and remodeling options; design and complete projects; use energy, water and other resources efficiently; develop and build landscape and construction projects in line with sustainable practices; use building analysis science and technology to manage properties more efficiently; and successfully complete required certification exams.
The academy offers two certification tracks: building science, to train envelope, heating and cooling professionals and building analysts; and green professional certification, which helps students become certified green professionals.
For more information, visit the Web site or call Dr. Rick Johnson, CMC Aspen Campus instructional chair, at 970-925-7740.
back to top
Clean Energy Bits ‘n Bobs
The Roaring Fork Valley’s contingent at the International Climate Summit happening now in Copenhagen includes CORE director Nathan Ratledge, American Renewable Energy Day director Chip Comins, Sopris Foundation director Piper Foster, and Suzanne Farver, outreach director for the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization. Nathan’s written and video posts are online at www.aspencore.org
 Holy Cross Energy rolled out a new website earlier this month. Your old bookmarks still work for www.holycross.com, but you’ll see a fresh new look, easier access to information and some beautiful photos of the rural electric co-op’s top-of-the-world scenery.
Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability has published its annual report. As EVAS director Matt Scherr notes, “This exercise in reflection puts a great deal in perspective. First, it helps us realize that as higgeldy piggeldy as things seem behind the curtain, we get a lot of good stuff done. Second, there is a heck of a lot left to do, but our recent past gives us a great indication of what things our community needs most and what things we're good at doing. And third, how much we need YOU, the people that comprise the greater community we serve.” Check it out at www.eaglevalleyalliance.org
The Garfield County Public Library District will be breaking ground Thursday on the remodel and expansion of the Parachute Branch Library, which will include a solar array funded by the Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative. The new library will have a free community meeting room, a study room, more public computers, more comfortable areas for kids and teens, and a cozy reading area with a fireplace.
The clever staff at City of Aspen’s Canary Initiative is running ads in the local papers for “Santa’s Top Green Gift Picks.” The list includes an energy audit, Canary Tags, Aspen High School Earth Club reusable bags, a Car2Go membership, a RFTA punch pass, a share in a local CSA farm, or an Aspen Center for Environmental Studies snowshoe tour.
And we at CLEER, Clean Energy Economy for the Region, wish all of you the happiest of holidays and the very best energy smart New Year!
back to top
|
.jpg)