Mountain Village: Energy-saving Forum

07 Jul Mountain Village: Energy-saving Forum

Speakers at energy-savings forum to showcase regional energy programs

There is a vast and varied number of energy-saving programs available to residents, businesses and municipalities in San Miguel County. To gain first-hand knowledge of what options exist, the Town of Mountain Village is hosting San Juan Energy Talks: Green Living Forum Thursday, July 10. Sponsored by the local utility companies, San Miguel Power Association (SMPA) and SourceGas, this informative and educational event provides community members the opportunity to meet with the experts who can help them reduce their energy use and save them money. The eight talks include a question and answer period and cover the following topics: rebate programs and grants; renewable energy incentives and financing options; immediate benefits of efficient energy usage and renewable generation; Telluride Renewed Challenge; and Colorado Climate Action Plan.

“This is an exciting time for our region as together we are building momentum to reduce our collective energy use and achieve our greenhouse gas reduction goals,” said Mountain Village’s Environmental Services Director Deanna Drew. “The sooner you start saving energy or switching to renewables, the sooner you will start saving money and helping the environment, not to mention increasing the value of your home or improving the bottom line of your business.”

The five-hour event begins at 1 p.m. at Mountain Village Town Hall with each talk lasting approximately 30 minutes. For those who can’t attend a specific talk, all of the speakers will be available throughout the event and from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. for one-on-one discussions and project consultation. In addition, the event will stream live at townofmountainvillage.com/greenforum

SCHEDULE:

1 p.m. DEANNA DREW, TOWN OF MOUNTAIN VILLAGE

Opening Remarks and Overview of Regional Energy Goals 

1:05 p.m., BRAD ZAPORSKI, SAN MIGUEL POWER ASSOCIATION

Current State of the Telluride Renewed Challenge

In 2009, Telluride Mayor Stu Fraser and then-Mountain Village Mayor Bob Delves issued the Telluride Renewed Challenge, a call-to-action for each town to run solely off renewable energy sources

1:30 p.m., LORETTA POKORNY, MESA POINT ENERGY

SourceGas Distribution’s Custom Energy-Efficiency Program

The Custom Energy-Efficiency Program offers financial incentives to promote the installation of energy-efficiency measures for SourceGas Distribution customers. Eligible participants include multifamily customers, municipal facilities, large commercial and industrial customers, and customers with unique equipment needs or applications. Loretta Pokorny will discuss the Custom Energy-Efficiency Program, which offers two financial incentives: Technical Study financial incentives and/or Implementation Installation financial incentives. Eligibility for Technical Study and/or Implementation Installation financial incentives will be identified via an Eligibility Assessment. Note: this presentation is geared toward large commercial customers.

2 p.m., ROB FOLEY, ICAST

Affordable Green Rehab from ResourceSmart

ICAST, a Colorado-based nonprofit, has created an innovative and successful approach to green property rehab with its ResourceSmart program. Rob Foley, an ICAST trainer, auditor and inspector, will talk about their one-stop-shop approach to manage the entire improvement process from beginning to end, making it easy for property owners and managers to achieve their energy reduction goals in a cost-effective manner. In addition, he will discuss ResourceSmart innovative funding solutions through a combination of utility rebates, grants and low-interest loans in partnership with organizations such as the Telluride Foundation, Alpine Bank and the Gates Family Foundation.

2:30 p.m., KRISTIN KUHLMAN, CLEAN ENERGY COLLECTIVE

SMPA Community Solar Array in Paradox Valley

Clean Energy Collective, in conjunction with SMPA, has brought local renewable solar energy to local communities via the largest community-owned solar array in the country. Solar Specialist Kristin Kuhlman will provide an overview of what a community solar array is and how it makes renewable energy easy, accessible and affordable for everyone – homeowners, renters, businesses and tax-exempt entities – while contributing to the preservation of the environment. Kristin also will answer questions and create customized proposals illustrating how participation in the program can reduce or eliminate your monthly electricity bill, your long-term exposure to rising electricity costs, and your carbon footprint. For a customized proposal, bring a copy of a recent SMPA bill for Kristin to review. You can also email Kristin in advance at kristin.kuhlman@easycleanenergy.com.

3 p.m., HEATHER ROMMEL & KIM WHEELS, ECOACTION PARTNERS

Green Business Certification Program and Green Project Grant Program

Heather Rommel and Kim Wheels will present EcoAction’s new Green Business Certification Program, an opportunity for local businesses to become more energy efficient and reduce utility bills, reduce environmental impact, and increase marketability throughout the region.

In addition, they will delve into the details surrounding the Green Project Grant Program, which is funded through the San Miguel County Building Department energy mitigation funds. They also will provide an u

3:30 p.m., TYLER MIZE, ALTERNATIVE POWER ENTERPRISES

Solar: Simple, Reliable and Economical

Tyler Mize of Alternative Power Enterprises will speak on the ins and outs of the solar market and what it can do for you. With 60 percent reductions in equipment costs, rebate programs covering 50 percent of the project, and no-interest no-payment loan options, you can’t ask for a better time to make the switch to clean energy. Also, don’t miss the later part of this presentation with questions and prizes on “What valuable resources are consumed in power production in Colorado and what that means for us?”

4 p.m., KIRK MCKNIGHT, COOPERATIVE BUSINESS LIGHTING PARTNERS

LED Lighting and Relight Mountain Village 

Kirk McKnight, co-owner of Cooperative Business Lighting Partners, will highlight the latest in LED lighting technology, including the special LED lighting rebates available to large commercial accounts in the region. Also, he will introduce the newly launched Relight Mountain Village program in which Mountain Village residents and business owners can purchase quality LED light bulbs online with the Town of Mountain Village and SMPA covering up to 75 percent of the cost through rebate offers. Orders for LED bulbs through the Relight Mountain Village program can be placed with Kirk at the event, so start counting your bulbs.

4:30 p.m., DANNY CRAFT, ALPINE BANK

Alpine Bank Loan Program

EcoAction Partners has joined forces with Alpine Bank to provide low-interest loans for anyone wishing to make energy efficient improvements to their home or business. The loan program provides up to $8,000 in unsecured loans (higher amounts with collateral), and can be structured such that the utility savings is greater than the loan payment to create positive cash flow. Danny Craft, senior vice president of Alpine Bank, will provide more information on this loan program.

REPRESENTATIVES, SMPA AND SOURCEGAS

Energy-Efficiency Rebate Programs

SMPA and SourceGas offer numerous rebates to those who make energy efficient improvements. Rebates can be applied to the purchase of LED lights, electric and gas appliances, energy audits and weatherization improvements, to name a few. Representatives will explain what is available and how to apply.

5 p.m. – 6 p.m., TOWN OF MOUNTAIN VILLAGE

Social Hour 

To wrap up the event, all speakers will be available to meet, mingle and discuss your personal energy efficiency or renewable energy projects in more detail. Appetizers and beverages will be sponsored by SMPA and SourceGas.

For more information about San Juan Energy Talks, contact EcoAction Partners Executive Director Heather Rommel at heather@ecoactionpartners.org

ABOUT MOUNTAIN VILLAGE

Mountain Village, situated in the heart of the breathtaking San Juan Mountains, was incorporated in 1995 as a home rule municipality.  Its founders envisioned a European-style ski-in/ski-out, pedestrian-friendly destination resort that would complement the historic mining town of Telluride. A three-stage gondola transportation system connects the Town of Mountain Village with the Town of Telluride. Situated at 9,500 feet, Mountain Village is comparably a world apart from other resorts: it is innately spectacular, beautifully orchestrated and planned, and overflowing with style, charm and sophistication. For more information, please visit us on the Web at townofmountainvillage.com.