| 11/23/2009 11:06:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | Public provides renewables input
Audrey Gilpin - Mail Staff Writer
About 50 residents of Buena Vista and Salida participated in public meetings Wednesday and Thursday generating ideas for the Chaffee County Renewable Energy Plan.
Kathryn Wadsworth of Incite Consulting, a project management firm, said a draft plan is scheduled for completion Jan. 4.
The purpose of the plan is to "participate in and take full advantage of the clean energy economy, including clean energy production, conservation, energy cost savings and jobs," Wadsworth said.
Several steps have been taken to produce feedback about clean energy opportunities in Chaffee County.
A sustainability summit was held Oct. 15, Colorado University-Denver is conducting a greenhouse gas emissions inventory for the county and public meetings are being held to gather information.
Wadsworth said there are three data sets to compare information - from the summit and two public meetings - and she's finding conservation, efficiency and education are main focuses of those discussions.
Yvonne Barnes of Mountain Mapping in Salida screened a computer mapping to an audience of about 21 Salida residents during the public meeting Thursday.
By collecting data in the county, she formulated maps showing known and possible solar sources, wind, geothermal and biomass opportunities in the county.
Barnes emphasized the maps are in beginning stages Continued from FRONT page.
and asked residents for input about other resources.
With a couple mouse clicks, Barnes is able to separate private land from public land, display where higher concentrations of solar energy are available and how county biomass opportunities compare to national opportunities.
"We can build more and more layers to the maps and display future scenarios for growth," Barnes explained.
Kurt Jones, Colorado State University Chaffee County extension director, led an audience participation segment by asking general questions regarding energy planning and policy.
Audience members used a clicker to answer questions. Data collected will be available at http://www.chaffeecounty-energyplan.com/ at a later date, Wadsworth said.
During open comment time, participants commented regarding the question, "As a citizen of Chaffee County, what would you like as a benefit from having an energy efficiency and conservation plan?"
At the Buena Vista meeting, 26 residents attended and some responses include:
• Dark sky lighting.
• More bicycle and walking trails.
• County solar and/or wind farms.
• Support for home owners to switch from propane to natural gas.
• Weatherization program.
• Green jobs.
• Support for agriculture.
• Education about technology, services and resources.
At the Salida meeting, 21 residents attended including Chaffee County Commissioner Dennis Geise, county administrator Bob Christiansen and county finance director Dan Short. Some responses include:
• Job creation and training.
• Woody biomass - benefit analysis of biomass heating.
• Weatherization for homes and businesses.
• Education - add clean energy and conservation to school curriculums.
• Education and inclusion for all regardless of income level.
• Geothermal education.
• Green building standards.
• Balanced input into the planning process.
Education has been an emphasis, Wadsworth said, during community discussions.
Wadsworth encouraged County residents to visit http://www.chaffeecounty-energyplan.com/ to offer feedback and receive information and updates regarding the plan.
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