Clean Energy Economy News | Online edition

June 15, 2010 | Vol. 3, No. 6

In this issue

• Garfield county-wide 2009 energy bills add up to $219 million
• Garfield County businesses offered tools to save energy and save money
• Clean Energy Collective puts Mid-Valley Solar Farm on market to Holy Cross customers
• Garfield NECI applauds passage of statewide clean energy financing bill
• Holy Cross members elect Glass, Munk to board;
  Board increases renewable energy portfolio
• JCPenney Glenwood Springs store earns ENERGY STAR award
• DOE grants to fund weatherization, efficiency projects in Colorado
• FERC to ease development of small hydropower projects
• Colorado agency offers grants and low-interest loans for small hydropower
• Smart strips, energy monitors make for smart energy savings
• Trainings
  • 6/15: GEO Webinar: Evaporative Cooling 201
  • 6/22: GEO Webinar: Geoexchange and Ground-Source Systems 201
  • 6/22: DOE Webinar: Triple Pane and Low-e windows
  • 6/24: E-STAR workshop: I Want to Be an ENERGY STAR Builder, but What Will It Cost?
  • 6/30: GEO Webinar: Appraising ENERGY STAR buildings
• Events
  • 6/17: Clean Energy Collective solar array groundbreaking, El Jebel
  • 6/17: Green Drinks, Carbondale
  • 6/18-20: Colorado Renewable Energy Society conference, Montrose
  • 6/19: Third Street Center grand opening, Carbondale
  • 6/26: GreenLeaf Run 2010, Carbondale
  • 7/9: Carbondale Senior Housing solar grand opening
  • 7/9: Bill McKibben “Get To Work” Party, Aspen
  • 7/11: Bill McKibben presentation at Aspen Ideas Festival
• Clean Energy Bits ‘n Bobs

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Garfield county-wide 2009 energy bills
add up to $219 million

Energy efficiency would keep millions in the local economy

Garfield County as a whole spent $219 million in 2009 on energy, according to a new energy inventory conducted for the Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative.

“If all the energy users in the county could become 20 percent more energy efficient, as a county we could save $43 million a year. Cutting back on energy use or increasing energy efficiency can mean money savings for local residents and businesses,” said Shelley Kaup, chair of the Garfield NECI Advisory Board and a Glenwood Springs City Council member. “To find out how you can save energy in your home or business, visit www.garfieldcleanenergy.org.”

A 20 percent efficiency goal is not out of reach. Energy savings of 30 percent have already been estimated for G-NECI’s commercial energy efficiency program. The State of Colorado is targeting energy savings of 20 percent by 2012 and three local governments are targeting a range of goals for 20 to 30 percent reductions in energy and emissions, with target dates ranging from 2012 to 2020. Long-term goals for local governments include efforts to reduce emissions 80 percent by 2050.

“This is a significant amount of money that could be used to fuel our local economy in many other ways. The savings from energy efficiency can be very tangible economic development,” said Greg Russi, vice chair of the Garfield NECI Advisory Board and a New Castle Town Council member.

The energy inventory researchers added up a full year of consumption of electricity, natural gas, propane, gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel by Garfield County’s homes, businesses and governments, and for cars, trucks and airplanes. The inventory did not measure the energy use of the natural gas industry beyond building utility bills.

Countywide, consumption of electricity in 2009 amounted to $70 million, natural gas totaled $20 million, and propane totaled nearly $5 million. These figures come from actual sales data from the electric and natural gas utilities and propane dealers serving Garfield County. All together, this utility energy represented 46 percent of total spending on energy.

Gasoline and diesel consumption of $120 million in 2009 were estimated using Colorado Department of Transportation mileage counts from state highways and Interstate 70, multiplied by fuel economy standards and fuel price averages calculated by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Aviation fuel consumption was based on actual fuel sales at the Garfield County Airport near Rifle and the Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport, and totaled $4 million in 2009.

The energy inventory also includes the 2009 energy spending for Garfield County government, its six town and city governments, the county library district and the three school districts in the county. Total energy costs for these local governments were $5.7 million in 2009. Broken apart, the governments spent $1.5 million on gasoline and diesel and $4.2 million on electricity and natural gas.

Detailed information and the complete energy inventory report is available on the GarfieldCleanEnergy.org website.

The energy inventory research team included Michael Ogburn of CLEER – Clean Energy Economy for the Region, Dan Richardson of Schmueser Gordon Meyer, and Rick Heede of Climate Mitigation Services.

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Garfield County businesses offered tools
to save energy and save money

The Garfield Clean Energy Challenge for Business is starting this month, with free “energy coach” services for all participating businesses in Garfield County. Up to $5,000 in rebate booster funding for select energy efficiency improvements is also being offered on a first-come, first served basis.

“We are ready to help businesses understand their energy use and start saving money on energy costs,” said Energy Challenge Project Manager Erica Sparhawk.

The energy coaches will help businesses track energy use, get an onsite energy evaluation, work up an energy action plan that fits the goals and budget of the business, and carry out priority energy improvements. The coaches will also help businesses connect with contractors and make the most of utility rebates.

Businesses throughout Garfield County can also apply for a Clean Energy Challenge rebate booster of up to $5,000. The booster can be applied toward audits and energy efficiency upgrades, on top of standard rebates offered by energy utilities. Booster funding is limited, so businesses are encouraged to apply now to take advantage of this offer.

To apply, call 704-9200 or visit www.GarfieldCleanEnergy.org.

All businesses that apply will be eligible for energy coach services from a team of certified energy auditors who have experience in construction, energy efficiency upgrades, and better energy management techniques.

Making energy efficiency improvements offers immediate payoffs in terms of lower utility bills and building comfort. Anita Denboske, owner of Active Communications, took advantage of energy efficiency rebates offered in 2009 to make upgrades to her store in the Glenwood Springs Mall.

In the first two months she saved $552 on her electric bills compared to the previous year. Equally important, the store is no longer drafty and is now comfortable for customers and staff.

“This was lifesaver for me,” Denboske said. “It was extremely worthwhile.”

The Garfield Clean Energy Challenge is a project of the Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative, a countywide collaboration of nine local governments. Project management and energy coaching services are provided by CLEER, Clean Energy Economy for the Region.

Rebate booster funding is provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment under an arrangement facilitated by the Governor's Energy Office and Garfield County, and by the U.S. Department of Energy using funds allocated for Garfield County from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

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Clean Energy Collective puts Mid-Valley Solar Farm
on market to Holy Cross customers

On June 14, the Clean Energy Collective started taking reservation for solar photovoltaic panels for its first community-owned solar farm, located on Mid-Valley Metro District property at El Jebel. Any Holy Cross Energy commercial or residential customer is eligible to purchase one or more panels in the 80-kilowatt system.

“Together with our community partners and Holy Cross Energy, we are making history with the first community-owned solar arrays in the nation,” said Lauren Martindale, director of project development for the Clean Energy Collective. The Collective is also developing larger arrays for Holy Cross customers to be installed near Eagle and Rifle.

A groundbreaking event for the Mid-Valley Solar Farm is set for 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 17, at the Mid-Valley Metro District, 73 JW Dr., in El Jebel.

“The starting price is just under $600 for one panel,” said Martindale.

Holy Cross customers can purchase one or more panels, which will feed clean, renewable energy directly into the Holy Cross electrical grid. The utility will credit solar owners at 11 cents per kilowatt hour on their utility bill, based on the number of panels owned and the actual level of solar energy generated over the previous month.

The Clean Energy Collective will retain ownership of the land lease and shared infrastructure for the arrays, with customers having access to these items for the life of the systems.

The Collective will also keep the system cleaned, maintained and upgraded over time so it continues to produce as much power 50 years from now as it will once it’s up and running in a few months, at no additional cost to the customer.

Solar panel owners can transfer their ownership to a new electric service account if they move within Holy Cross Energy territory. If they move outside the Holy Cross service area, the Collective will buy back the panels and resell them to other Holy Cross customers or they can be donated to a non-profit.

The solar farm option is ideal for Holy Cross customers who are renting their home or business property but still pay the electric bill, or for customers whose property does not have ideal solar exposure or space for a solar array.

The net purchase price for panels is $3.15 per watt, about 35 percent less than the going rate for household-sized solar arrays being installed in the region. Purchasers will assign their utility rebate and federal tax credit to the Collective, avoiding the paperwork and the wait for a rebate or tax credit check to arrive. $3.15 is all they pay.

For more information, visit the Clean Energy Collective website at www.easycleanenergy.com, or call (800) 646-0323.

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Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative applauds passage of statewide clean energy financing bill

In a ceremony on Friday in Denver, Gov. Bill Ritter Jr. signed House Bill 1328 and four other clean energy bills.

Passage of House Bill 1328, the New Energy Jobs Creation Act sponsored by state Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village and Rep. Joe Miklosi, D-Denver, is good news for Garfield County and all of Colorado.

The bill sets up the nation’s first statewide Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) district, called the Colorado New Energy Improvement District, to offer clean energy financing to homeowners throughout Colorado.

The bill allows a county to participate in the statewide district. Previously – under groundbreaking state legislation approved in 2008 - a county would have had to create its own separate district. This legislation gives counties the advantage of participating in a larger, more efficient finance program.

The Colorado New Energy Improvement District will ask interested counties to formally opt-in so residential property owners within the county can take advantage of the loan program.

“This new legislation will make it easier for counties in Colorado to set up clean energy financing,” said Shelley Kaup, chair of the Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative Advisory Board. “The Advisory Board would like to see Garfield County to be among the first counties to opt in, so Garfield County homeowners can participate in the statewide loan program.”

Prior to passage of the New Energy Jobs Creation Act, the Garfield NECI Advisory Board actively supported a county-level clean energy financing program to benefit residential and commercial property owners. Advisory Board members hope the new statewide program can be expanded in 2011 to offer financing for commercial properties.

Through the Colorado New Energy Improvement District, homeowners will be able to borrow money for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to their property, and pay the debt back over a period of up to 20 years on their annual property tax bill. Only those homeowners who borrow from the fund will see the added assessment line on their tax bill.

The bill establishes a nine-member governing board and authorizes the district to issue up to $800 million in bonds to capitalize the loan program.

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Holy Cross members elect Glass, Munk to board;
Board increases renewable energy portfolio

Holy Cross Energy members elected incumbent Michael Glass of Edwards and challenger David Munk of Carbondale to the electric co-op’s board of directors during the annual meeting on June 5.

Glass defeated two challengers in a three-way race for the Northern District seat, collecting 1,683 votes over 1,179 votes cast for Erik J. Lundquist of Gypsum and 589 cast for William J. Maxwell of Edwards. Glass is the president of Alpine Bank in Vail and serves as treasurer of the Holy Cross board.

Munk successfully challenged longtime incumbent Robert Starodoj of Aspen for the Southern District board seat , winning in a 2,115-1,292 vote split.

Members also rejected a board proposal to elect board members from within each director district, 1,849-1,709. The bylaw amendment was proposed to counteract the “trend for special interest concerns to dominate the political process of director elections,” according to Holy Cross board president Tom Turnbull.

Prior to the board election, the Holy Cross Board unanimously approved a package of initiatives to increase the utility’s renewable energy portfolio, according to Steve Casey, members services director. The measures include:

• Approval to add up to 11 megawatts of renewable energy power generated within Holy Cross service territory to the current power supply portfolio.
• Endorsement of two requests for proposals to be released in the coming months: one for up to 1 megawatt of solar photovoltaic power and another for up to 10 megawatts of non-solar PV renewable energy, such as biomass or wind.
• Approval to increase the size of systems that qualify for net metering, effective July 1, allowing a per-system solar PV maximum of 500 kW and a non-solar PV maximum of 50 kW.
• Allocation of $250,000 to fund rebates for medium-scale renewable energy systems of at least 25 kW and up to 100 kW.

Projects will still be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis, with funding preference for projects installed on facilities that demonstrate a public purpose or offer charitable, cultural or educational benefits to the community.

The portfolio initiative complements the utility’s overall goal, set in 2004, to reach 20 percent renewable energy by 2015. By the end of 2009, the Holy Cross portfolio included 11 percent renewable energy, according to general manager Del Worley.

“Potential renewable projects that Holy Cross is investigating include larger scale solar, hydro electric, biomass and wind generation,” Worley stated in his manager’s report. “Holy Cross is also working with Public Service Company of Colorado (Xcel Energy), our wholesale power supplier, to increase the amount of renewable energy purchased each year beyond our current contract amount.”

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Back row, left to right: Shanna Olmstead, Beth Douglas, Wanda Terry and Debra Hannasch, JCPenney store staff; Jimmy Serrano, Tavia Teitler, Beth Fawley and Emily Mata, Carbondale Middle School Energy Champions; Shannon Pelland, Roaring Fork School District assistant superintendent, and Michael Logan, Carbondale Middle School teacher. In far back, Tony Haschke, SGM Inc.
Front row, left to right, Mindy Pennington, SGM Inc., Toni Harrig, JCPenney store staff, and Heather Schneider, JCPenney store manager; Petty Crow, ENERGY STAR program manager for EPA Region 8; Carbondale Middle School students Eden Smith, Michael Kashnig, Valerie Loertscher and Fiona Laird; Judy Haptonstall, Roaring Fork School District superintendent.
Photo by Heather McGregor

JC Penney Glenwood store earns ENERGY STAR award

First ENERGY STAR building in Glenwood Springs,
fifth in Garfield County, 100th for JC Penney

On June 1, Patty Crow of the U.S. EPA presented the ENERGY STAR award for building energy efficiency to Heather Schneider and her staff at the JCPenney store in the Glenwood Springs Mall.

The store is the first building within the city of Glenwood Springs, the fifth in Garfield County, and the 100th store in the JCPenney chain to earn the award.

“We are going to put the plaque on the outside of the building,” said Schneider, the store manager. “We are very proud of receiving this award. JCPenney has more than 1,000 stores, so to receive this plaque is a real honor.”

It’s an honor that also represents a lot of hard work and investment. The Glenwood Springs store earned its award with a score of 82, well above the score of 75 needed to qualify on the 1-to-100 ENERGY STAR scale.

“JCPenney’s commitment to energy management is really outstanding, and EPA is really proud of you,” said Patty Crow, ENERGY STAR program manager for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 office in Denver. “JCPenney is setting the standard for corporations and other commercial buildings to follow. Congratulations to you on your 100th ENERGY STAR building.”

The event was enlivened by members of the Carbondale Middle School Energy Champions Team, who have been working with JCPenney and its professional energy efficiency team to learn about building efficiency and emphasize the importance of energy conservation for the future.

The students tagged along when energy efficiency consultant Tony Haschke of Schmueser Gordon Meyer conducted an official site audit in February.

“We learned so much from the store’s energy audit,” said CMS Energy Champion Fiona Laird. “We learned about saving energy and keeping the building cool.”

Tavia Teitler, another Energy Champions Team member, said, “The things we learned from your store and from Tony we are taking to Carbondale Middle School and Crystal River Elementary School to help us win the National Building Competition.”

Crystal River Elementary School in Carbondale and the JCPenney store in Orange, Calif., are competing against each other and 12 other competitors in the EPA National Building Competition. But JCPenney’s energy conservation team is collaborating with the school district so both facilities can reach the highest possible score, said Charley Haupt, president of New Energy Technology and a consultant to JCPenney on energy use.

Judy Haptonstall, superintendent of the Roaring Fork School District, and Shannon Pelland, assistant superintendent for finance, attended the award presentation as well.

“The students have been very excited about being partners with JCPenney,” Haptonstall said. “This is more than study in a classroom. JCPenney is helping take learning beyond the classroom and make it real, and that’s what education is all about.”

Michael Logan, a Carbondale Middle School teacher and the Energy Champions Team coach, said, “Math and science come to life when you have context, and this is as real as it gets. We will continue the work that we have learned here at JCPenney and make it part of the culture of our school building.”

JCPenney plans to build on its energy efficiency achievements at the Glenwood Springs store. Haschke said a lighting upgrade and replacement of the aging HVAC system with a new high-efficiency system and controls would push the store’s rating even higher.

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DOE grants to fund weatherization, efficiency projects

DOE awards $963,000 for weatherization training center in Colorado,
$4.9 million for efficiency and financing projects in Eagle, Pitkin, Gunnison counties

On June 4, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded a $963,000 grant to the Governor’s Energy Office to establish two weatherization training centers in Colorado, with the goal of certifying 460 workers.

And on June 11, DOE awarded a $4.9 million grant to Eagle, Pitkin and Gunnison counties, which have been working together to develop clean energy finance loan programs and a variety of energy efficiency programs.

GEO plans to apply its weatherization training grant towards a $1.2 million project to establish certificate programs at Red Rocks Community College and Pueblo Community College for a combination of online, classroom and field training.

GEO has already been using Recovery Act funds to ramp up weatherization work on homes occupied by low-income families. The added workload has increased the need for well-trained workers to assist GEO’s 11 partner agencies to carry out these jobs, which include attic insulation, air sealing, and replacement of windows, doors and furnaces.

Colorado’s proposal was one of 34 in 27 states to receive a share of $29 million in DOE funding. This funding will help expand eight existing weatherization training centers and create 26 new centers, more than tripling the number of DOE-funded weatherization training centers nationally.

Meanwhile, a team of sustainability collaborators in Eagle, Pitkin and Gunnison counties were thrilled to learn of their grant award on Friday. The $4.9 million award was one of the largest of the 20 grants, totaling $60 million, awarded across the country, and the only one in Colorado.

The three counties will use the Recovery Act funds for residential and commercial energy efficiency retrofits using a financing system - approved by local voters in 2009 - known as the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program.

Kudos to staff at Eagle, Pitkin and Gunnison counties and their nonprofit counterparts, the Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability, the Community Office for Resource Efficiency of Aspen and Carbondale, and the Office for Resource Efficiency of Crested Butte for grant-writing success.

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FERC to ease development of small hydropower projects

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced plans to make its small hydropower licensing program more user-friendly. Starting in August, FERC plans to offer online tools to help small hydropower developers understand the FERC licensing process, help improve coordination with other agencies, and help license applicants complete the process more quickly and efficiently.

"Efforts to reduce carbon emissions and meet the growing number of state renewable energy standards are drawing increased attention to small hydropower project development," FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff said. "These new tools will help provide additional resources to applicants considering developing hydropower."

"Small and micro hydropower has enormous potential, but these projects often cannot be developed under traditional licensing methods," Commissioner Philip Moeller said. "The Commission is now working to ease the regulatory burden of harnessing this clean and renewable form of energy."

The new resources, to be available at www.ferc.gov in August 2010, came out of discussions at FERC's December 2009 technical conference on small, non-federal hydropower projects.

The resources will provide a roadmap that walks applicants through the process of selecting a project site, determining if a project is jurisdictional, selecting a FERC licensing process, consulting with stakeholders, and preparing a license or exemption application. New tools, such as fill-in-the-blank license and exemption application templates and tips on how to expedite the application process, are intended to make it easier for a potential applicant to apply for a license or exemption.

FERC staff also intends to update existing agreements with other federal and state agencies to improve coordination, and will employ a new outreach program to educate potential small hydro developers.

Related news ...

Colorado Water & Power Authority offers grants
and low-interest loans for small hydropower

Colorado Water Resource and Power Development Authority has two programs to help local governments develop their hydropower resources.
 
Grant Program: Applications for up to $15,000 in matching grants for feasibility studies, permitting activities (mainly FERC or Bureau of Reclamation permitting or exemption processes) or final design on a potential hydropower project, accepted on a first-come first-served basis. There is $105,300 still available in the program for this year.
 
Low-Interest Loan Program: This program funds projects of 5 megawatts or less in Colorado. Loans of up to $2 million per governmental agency at 2% interest rates for up to 20 years. Eligible projects include new hydropower facilities (turbines, mechanical, and electrical), pipelines, necessary remodeling or reconfiguration of the building housing the facilities, and transmission lines. 
 
Other requirements and conditions apply. More info: Jeremy Wendt, jwendt@CWRPDA.com

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Smart strips, energy monitors
make for smart energy savings

By Suzie Romig
Clean Energy Economy News

Smart technology is booming from smart boards to smart phones, and saving energy is getting smarter too, from smart grids to smart monitors and now smart strips.

Smart strips are high-tech power strips and surge protectors that can help save energy on such things as computer and entertainment systems. The smart strip senses lower power loads and can switch off secondary devices.

The Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) currently is promoting smart strips by offering $25 rebates each for up to two strips for Roaring Fork Valley residents. More info

Electronic devices with readouts or lights draw power whether they are in use or not, but the smart power strips can eliminate this invisible draw of electricity, called “phantom loads.”

A typical smart strip has one primary outlet, several constant outlets and multiple secondary outlets. The electrical current that runs through the primary outlet is monitored, and when the current to the primary outlet drops, the power to the secondary outlets is cut.

For example, if a TV is plugged into the primary outlet and is turned off with its remote, the smart strip will detect the change in current and shut off all the secondary devices, such as DVD or VHS players. Other power strips, available at various prices, incorporate timers and even motion sensors.

Local energy consultant Dan Richardson is a proponent of energy-saving new technologies that are cost effective and easy to implement. He buys his smart strips from Energy Federation Inc. at www.EFI.org, which has been distributing conservation products since 1982. Richardson said the smart strips that average about $30 will pay for themselves in about two years. However, with a rebate from CORE, the payback drops to almost no time.

Energy Monitor

Another new technology Richardson recommends is an energy monitor for homes or businesses. The electrical monitoring systems let home or business owners see how much energy they are using in real time instead of waiting for monthly bills.

Energy monitoring devices attach at the main electrical panel and transmit the power data to a customized Web page or a stand-alone “dashboard” monitor.

Although an energy monitor will not save energy merely via installation and operation, experts say that real-time observation of energy use often leads to behavior changes that can cut electricity use by 10 to 20 percent.

“The idea is if you can measure it, you can manage it,” said Andy Gillis, owner of Energy Wise energy efficiency consulting firm in Carbondale. “Being able to see in real time your own power consumption instantly makes people more aware of their surroundings and promotes good energy habits. I have some clients who have created a game out of their power consumption – how little electricity can they consume in a given day, week, month, year.”

Gillis explained, “The monitoring devices may reveal that a refrigerator is very inefficient and should be replaced or the settings should be adjusted, the HVAC system is not working properly, or certain lights in the house should be on a motion sensor or a timer.”

One brand of home energy monitoring system that Richardson prefers is The Energy Detective, available at www.TheEnergyDetective.com. Costly systems are available with many bells and whistles, but a basic system starts at about $200.

Gillis sells The Energy Detective, Eguage and Advanced Telemetry energy monitor systems. He said installation is relatively simple, but he recommends hiring an electrician.

Rebates available for energy monitors: Recharge Colorado, the large rebate program offered by the Governor’s Energy Office, is offering rebates up to $50 on energy monitors. A limited number of double rebates – at $100 -- are available for residential or commercial customers of Glenwood Springs Electric through Recharge Colorado. Reserve a rebate for an energy monitor today by visiting www.rechargecolorado.com or calling 800-462-0184.

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TRAININGS

GEO High Performance Building Program

Free Webinar: Evaporative Cooling 201
TODAY: Tuesday, June 15
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Register immediately if you wish to attend
 
Evaporative cooling is a cost-effective, energy-efficient design solution for cooling in Colorado's arid climate. This webinar will educate construction and design professionals on the types, benefits and successful implementation of evaporative cooling, along with fundamental analysis guidelines. This webinar is appropriate for building professionals and owners of all types of commercial buildings.

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GEO High Performance Building Program

Free Webinar: Geoexchange and Ground-Source Systems 201
Tuesday, June 22
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Register in advance

Learn the basics of geoexchange systems, including design theory and applications. The webinar will cover typical ground source HVAC systems and advanced applications, such as radiant heating and cooling, process heating, and comparisons to existing plants.  Understand the benefits, costs, disadvantages, and opportunities of geoexchange systems.

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DOE Building Technologies Program

Free Webinar: Cost-Effective Triple Pane (R-5) and Low-e Storm Windows
Tuesday, June 22
10 to 11:30 a.m.
Register in advance

Windows account for 30 percent of building heating and cooling energy loss, and represent a key opportunity for improving the energy efficiency of buildings. Learn about DOE’s effort to bring affordable triple pane and low-e storm windows to the marketplace. Through the launch of a new DOE-sponsored volume purchase program, builders and distributors can now buy these windows at a competitive price.
More info

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Free workshop: I Want to Be an ENERGY STAR Builder, but What Will It Cost?Thursday, June 24
3 to 5 p.m.
Garfield Re-2 School District Administration Building
839 Whiteriver Ave., Rifle
Register in advance

Using the real-world example of the recently completed Habitat for Humanity home in Rifle, learn what efficiency measures were used to achieve a HERS rating of 40, the added costs needed to achieve the ENERGY STAR qualification, and incentives available to offset costs. The workshop will also include a preview of changes to ENERGY STAR in 2011 and the City of Rifle’s proposed ENERGY STAR building program. More info

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GEO ENERGY STAR NEW HOMES Program

Free Webinar: Appraising ENERGY STAR buildings
Wednesday, June 30
Noon to 1 p.m.
Register in advance

Learn what's different about valuing homes that have earned the ENERGY STAR label, and hear from three different appraisers as they explain how they've been able to appraise ENERGY STAR homes in their local markets.

This session is designed for residential appraisers, builders, lenders, and other residential professionals who are interested in learning about valuing the energy efficiency and quality construction that come standard with ENERGY STAR homes.

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EVENTS

Clean Energy Collective solar array groundbreaking

Thursday, June 17
11 a.m. to noon
Mid-Valley Metro District, 73 JW Dr., El Jebel

Join the Clean Energy Collective in a groundbreaking event for its first community-owned solar farm, an 80-kilowatt solar electric array. Holy Cross Energy customers will be able to purchase solar panels in this or other arrays to be built in coming months within the Holy Cross service territory. More info

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Carbondale Green Drinks

Thursday, June 17
5 to 7 p.m.
Hestia, 348 Main St., Carbondale

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Colorado Renewable Energy Society conference

Friday, June 18 to Sunday, June 20
Montrose Pavilion
Registration: $200 CRES members / $250 non-members
www.cres-energy.org

Speakers include: Vice Admiral Richard Truly on “Climate Energy and Security,” Steve Andrews, co-founder of Association for Study of Peak Oil, Don Marostica, director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development, plus tours, workshops networking and socializing.

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Third Street Center Grand Opening & CLEER Open House
Saturday, June 19
4 to 9 p.m.
Third Street Center, 520 S. Third Street, Carbondale

Celebrate the grand opening of the Third Street Center, Carbondale’s new hub for sustainability, arts and other nonprofit organizations. The event includes a ribbon-cutting ceremony, food and beverages, music and dancing, recognition of sponsors and donors, activities for kids and guided tours of the building.

Please stop by CLEER’s new office in the east classroom wing, meet staff and board members, learn about Garfield Clean Energy programs – including the new Garfield Clean Energy Challenge for Business -- and, while supplies last, get two free energy efficient light bulbs.

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GreenLeaf Run 2010
Saturday, June 26
8 to 11 a.m.
Footrace starting point: Carbondale Recreation Center, 567 Colorado Ave., Carbondale
Registration online in advance or on race day starting at 7 a.m.

Grab your running (or walking) shoes for the GreenLeaf Run (formerly the LobsterCrawl Run), Carbondale's only 5K and 10K footrace. It's a scenic run along the Rio Grande Trail, with an organic pancake breakfast prepared by the Kiwanis Club. Stay around after the race for a Green Farmers Market, plus lots of music and great prizes.

Hosted by The Greensprouts Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports all local Roaring Fork Valley schools to Go Green!

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Grand Opening Carbondale Senior Housing solar installations
Friday, July 9
10 to 11 a.m.
Carbondale Senior Housing, Commons Building No. 4
1250 Hendrick Dr., Carbondale

Celebrate the installation of a 29.5-kilowatt solar electric system and a seven-panel solar hot water system at Carbondale Senior Housing. Outdoor dedication ceremony at 10, followed by indoor reception with iced tea and cookies. Special guest: Tony Hernandez, Director, Colorado Division of Local Government. More info

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Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org, events in Aspen

“Get To Work” Party
Friday, July 9
3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Aspen Center for Environmental Studies,
Hallam Lake Nature Preserve

Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature, Enough, Deep Economy, Eaarth, and founder of 350.org, will present a rallying talk and lead a ‘get to work' party. Bring your cell phone and be prepared to make phone calls or write letters for 30-45 minutes asking local, state and federal government officials for comprehensive climate legislation and clean energy policy. Hosted by CORE, Aspen Center for Environmental Studies and the Aspen Institute

CORE and ACES will also be hosting an evening with Bill McKibben at Toklat, date and time TBA. For information, call CORE at (970) 544-9808.

Bill McKibben presentation at Aspen Ideas Festival
Sunday, July 11
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Contact Devon at Devon.Rodonets@aspeninst.org or 970.544.7931 for more information.

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Clean Energy Bits ‘n Bobs

CLEER has moved to the Third Street Center in Carbondale, the energy-efficient and solar-powered office and arts complex that was formerly Carbondale Elementary. The office is in a remodeled classroom in the east wing, where the CLEER staff enjoys natural light, fresh air and proximity to other community nonprofits. We do miss our pals at SAW, the Land + Shelter folks, but look forward to being near other clean energy groups at Third Street, including CORE, Sol Energy and Solar Energy International.

Please stop by the CLEER office this Saturday, 4 to 9 p.m., when the Third Street Center celebrates its grand opening. Meet CLEER’s staff and board members, learn about Garfield Clean Energy programs – including the new Garfield Clean Energy Challenge for Business -- and, while supplies last, get two free energy efficient light bulbs courtesy of Xcel Energy.

Brad Plantz at Sopris Realty has earned Building Performance Institute (BPI) certification, and will be using his knowledge in home comfort, health and safety, durability and energy efficiency in representing buyers and sellers in the residential market. Contact Brad at (970) 945-7677 or visit www.SoprisRealty.com.
 
Kim Peterson has departed from her position as director of the City of Aspen’s Canary Initiative and joined the staff at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden.

Forbes.com has published a column by Gov. Bill Ritter about how Colorado is leading America toward a new energy future. With or without Washington D.C., Colorado is creating jobs with more green energy, says Ritter.

The City of Aspen won the U.S. EPA’s Clean Air Excellence Award for its ZGreen Program, which certifies businesses, households and events under a variety of environmental standards. Mayor Mick Ireland and Councilman Torre traveled to Washington, D.C. to accept the award. The ZGreen events program has moved from voluntary to mandatory for all events that require a city permit. ZGreen’s portable solar trailer, Sunny the Solar Roller, helps bring clean renewable energy to events all over town. More info.

Photo credit: City of Aspen

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