Development of the Chaffee County Renewable Energy Plan got underway today at the SteamPlant. About forty people registered and attended the mornings roundtable where Director of the Colorado Economic Development and International Trade, Don Marostica, spoke, and entertained questions for ninety-minutes. State Senator Gail Schwartz also spoke, and agreed with Mr. Marostica that Colorado’s economic conservativism will help see us through these rough times. Both speakers encouraged Chaffee County residents to come up with ideas that would generate five or more jobs, and contact their office to discuss funding. You are encouraged to get involved in the coming days and weeks ahead.
We’ve asked Kathryn Wadsworth, program coordinator, to comment on the event after she collects herself from this highly successful and busy day at the Steamplant. Look for this post soon.
From their web site: The locally based project management firm, INCITE Consulting has been selected to administer the Chaffee County Renewable Energy Plan. The work will be performed through a contract with Chaffee County funded by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Colorado Governors Energy Office, Chaffee County, Buena Vista, Poncha Springs and Salida.
The purpose of the Renewable Energy planning initiative is to be prepared to participate in and take full advantage of the clean energy economy – to encourage and implement conservation efforts and the use of sustainable energy as a way to power Chaffee County – Clean energy production, conservation, energy cost savings and jobs!
Chaffee County is one of many rural areas in Colorado that are facing extreme economic challenges while at the same time endowed with a diversity of natural, business and civic resources. Geographic and weather patterns, extensive public lands, and a strong and growing consensus among residents, local governments and businesses in favor of using our resources to produce energy while putting into action sensible solutions to conserve and reduce energy consumption and bolster energy production and conservation jobs.
The renewable energy planning effort, managed by INCITE Consulting principal, Kathryn Wadsworth is being overseen by a steering committee made up of one elected official and one staff member from the local branches of government. Buena Vista Town Trustee Robert Flint and Administrator Sue Boyd; Poncha Springs Trustee Aaron Kroschel and Public Works Director Greg Smith; Salida City Councilman Scott Dammann and Administrator Jack Lewis, and Chaffee County Commissioner Dennis Giese, Administrator Bob Christiansen and Finance Director Dan Short.
The renewable energy plan with oversight from the Steering Committee will include an energy use analysis of buildings, transportation and waste, review of renewable resources, economic development opportunities and community input towards energy efficiency and production.
A large component of the planning process is to gather citizen input on the direction Chaffee County and its municipal governments should be taking in regards to renewable energy development and conservation efforts. Public involvement meetings are being planned and citizens are encouraged to post comments and ideas on the website.
Bill,
Thanks for keeping everyone posted on the Renewable Energy Plan and a big thanks to everyone who attend the forum. By the first of the year, Chaffee County will have a solid plan in place to broaden the New Energy Economy throughout out communities.
posted for Kathryn Wadsworth:
The October 15, 2009 Summit “Economic Development focused on Renewable Energy” was very well attended indicating that the Citizens of Chaffee County are engaged in the New Energy Economy! Conservation and efficient use of energy and our resources was the underlying message of the day.
“Chaffee County’s ability to create energy is fully dependent on using less energy – Conservation and Efficiency.” Focusing on the resources that we have Chaffee County is ripe for the expansion of “micro-production.” The development of multiple technologies and actions at residences, businesses and public facilities.
Fortuitously, Colorado’s New Energy Economy conference was held just five days after Chaffee County’s Summit. Colorado Governor, Bill Ritter, Jr. provided the key note address offering the same message that we learned on October 15 from our own citizens. The importance of access to information, access to resources and access to dollars so that everyone can benefit from a better energy infrastructure, weatherization and efficiency, rebates, high performance buildings and new business opportunities.
http://www.chaffeecounty-energyplan.com is the access point for information from the October 15, 2009 Chaffee County Summit and the energy planning initiative. The visual presentations from the day along with the findings from the Sustainable Round Table session will be available on the website. The website also allows access for comment and suggestions toward efficiency and conservation efforts.
Thank you,
Kathryn Wadsworth
INCITE Consulting LLC
PO Box 1504
123 G Street
Salida, CO 81201
t: 719-239-2006
m: 719-207-1194