We began working on this campaign because Loveland Water & Power (LWP) is having success with their home efficiency program and they want to pursue more options, but they need goals and a road map to direct their efforts.  This direction needs to come from council, and council needs direction from the citizenry.  That's where we come in.  We raise public awareness of this possibility and present public support to council so that they are informed of the desires of the community.  Once council decides to get to work on this, Loveland Water & Power can work out the details and work with council and the citizens to craft and adopt the best policy options.

In general, we want a policy that sets a goal to reduce purchased power by "X" amount, by "X" date and instructs LWP to pursue programs that help residents become more energy efficient and support the growth of renewable energy production within the city.  Examples of these programs might include financing for energy improvements to your property through your electric bill (Fort Collins just adopted this), and development of a Community Solar Garden (Colorado Springs and Poudre Valley REA recently started these).

There are many reasons to pursue such a policy.  Economically it makes sense to reduce waste at home and thus reduce monthly bills.  It makes sense to reduce waste as a community and reduce the need for expensive capital projects like transmission lines and power plants (next one now scheduled for 2020 at the cost of $80 million).  This policy can also stimulate job growth in the local building retrofitting, and renewable energy, industries.

If that is something that you support, please contribute to the cause using the "Give Online" button, and write to the city council asking them to "adopt an energy policy that promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy to reduce the amount of power that Loveland must purchase".

ccouncil@ci.loveland.co.us

He has a long way to go to get my support!

Dear fred:

Thank you for writing regarding the GEO. The new Colorado Energy Office will promote all types of energy that protect the environment, lower long-term consumer costs, and increase energy security.

HB12-1315 will create the type of  “all of the above” energy office that the President has been championing. Colorado will not only build on our national brand as a leader in energy conservation and renewable clean energy, we will also cement our reputation for energy innovation.

Our state has a long history of creating and deploying technology that allow us to access new energy resources and improve upon the efficiency of existing ones. The State of Colorado is committed to promoting any innovative energy technology, no matter if the fuel source is wind, gas, or coal, as long as that energy can benefit the environment and save consumers money.

Once again, thank you for writing to the Governor's Office. We appreciate your concerns and will keep your thoughts in mind as we move forward.


Sincerely,

Governor's Office of Correspondence

What we need, all over CO, is a sustainable financing mechanism for energy efficiency upgrades.  Kansas has it, Kentucky has it, New York, California, Michigan... 22 states have On-Bill Financing which pays for energy efficiency upgrades using the savings generated on energy bills.  It is a revolving fund, when the money is paid back, the rural t associations loan it out again.  PVREA and Tri-State could be providing this service to us, but they say it's too hard :-(  

Midwest Energy in Kansas has helped other REA's to set up this program and they are willing to help PVREA and Tri-State.  PVREA members need to remind the board who they work for.  Write to PVREA and tell them to work with Midwest Energy on bringing an On-Bill Financing mechanism to Colorado REAs.

The annual meeting is this Saturday (March 31st).  You can go and vote for board members, or you can mail a ballot in by Wednesday.  For more info: www.pvrea.com

We like Steve Szabo and Roger Alexander in this election.

On the plus side, PVREA has started a solar garden option, so check that out too!

The good news is that citizens and environmental groups are not falling for it.  Independant investigation finds that the state's own records show that current pollution is massive and should not be accepted, but the state does little about it.  That's why citizens in Erie, Longmont, Aurora, Colorado Springs, Boulder County, and Commerce City have gone to their local government for action, passing moratoriums and standards that take steps towards protecting public health.  

This action has pressured the Governor into addressing the situation and convening a task force to deal with the problem.  We must remain vigilant to make sure the Governor is not simply trying to placate citizens' concerns, but that real action is taken to prevent pollution.  Northern Colorado does not currently meet federal air quality standards.  What will happen if we add 100,000 new oil and gas wells to the region without implementing better pollution controls?  

And the wacky thing is that industry could actually make more money by using these controls to capture escaping hydrocarbons for sale.  They don't do that now because they don't feel that it is worth their time and effort.  The health of the local population is not worth their time and effort.  That is why we have government.

To date CforSE has generated over 390 letters to the Governor asking him to reduce the pollution for oil and gas operations. 

Encana, an oil drilling company (with the distinction of having the largest fine in CO history), is planning on drilling and fracing 8 wells on a pad 350 feet from Erie Elementary School.

It's time to stop sacrificing our health and environment for the profit margin of the most profitable industry in history!  For a fraction more in financial expense the industry could operate in a safe and trusted manner.

For more info check out: http://gcmonitor.org/article.php?id=1339

For more about Erie specifics and getting involved:  www.erierising.com

Routt County has been dealing with their own oil & gas issues and there will be a public forum with county commissioners and State officials on Feb. 21st at 5:30.