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| 11/24/2009 4:03:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | Locals participate in energy-plan meetings
By Kay Doan - Times Correspondent
More than 50 people attended two public meetings on Nov. 18 and 19 regarding the Chaffee County Energy Plan, allowing local officials to gauge the interest of residents of Chaffee County in participating in an energy conservation process.
The meetings were Nov. 18 at the Buena Vista Community Center and Nov. 19 at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds.
Kathryn Wadsworth, principal of INCITE Consulting, led the meetings and gave a brief overview of the Chaffee County Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy. The initiative was formed to take advantage of a current "energy economy" to bring forth local options for sustainable energy, conservation and economic benefits such as cost savings and job growth.
Chaffee County hired INCITE to administer an energy plan earlier in the year, and the planning is now at the stage of public comment.
"We need some type of vision, the direction that our citizens would like to see Chaffee County taking in our energy efficiency and conservation strategy," said Wadsworth at the beginning of the meeting.
Wadsworth explained that the process includes upcoming analysis of how the county uses energy, and an inventory of current usage and emissions, as well as an inventory of renewable resources available, economic development potential and finally, a plan for the future.
Wadsworth expects to release a draft plan by Jan. 4.
At each meeting, cartographer Yvonne Barnes of Mountain Mapping presented maps of geothermal, wind and solar presence both regionally and nationally.
While solar and geothermal potential appeared to be strong, wind presence was not.
"The wind in this area is moderate, despite what a lot of people think," Barnes said, adding that the nearby peaks offer much stronger, more sustained winds.
Barnes also mapped an inventory of solar meters countywide, estimating that approximately 95 homes generate some of their own electricity.
While there are three geothermal hot spots in the county with really good potential, according to Barnes, they need transportation and substations to make energy available.
Also discussed was the possibility of countywide initiatives to support local businesses and homeowners in weatherization and individual energy conservation.
Both meetings added an important component of public input, Wadsworth said.
Kurt Jones, County Extension director with the Colorado State University Extension Office, ran an informal audience participation study, using an advanced response system to poll attendees anonymously. Results generally showed a majority of attendees in favor of renewable energy and potential for economic assistance and development.
"We're here to gather information ... we could go into hours of discussion [over one little thing] and that is yet to come - in the process, in the initiative and in the implementation," said Wadsworth, explaining that this was not meant to be a definitive poll.
Wadsworth and Jones asked the audience, "As a citizen, what would you like to see? How would you like to be benefited from this plan?"
Ideas ranged from job creation to wind or solar farms, better walking routes to schools, and an improved transit system. All ideas were recorded at each meeting, to be considered as part of the process in building the plan.
Wadsworth summed up the two meetings later.
"We certainly got a loud and clear message that our citizenry is interested, and that education continues to be a priority ... the county clearly wants to move forward with conservation and energy efficiency," she said.
The Colorado Department of Local Affairs, the Colorado Governor's Energy Office, Chaffee County, Buena Vista, Poncha Springs and Salida are funding the project.
A steering committee of one elected official and one staff member from each municipality is overseeing the project while contributing toward the analysis of current and potential conditions.
For more information, people may visit www.chaffeecounty-energyplan.com.
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