SUSTAINABLE RESILIENT LONGMONT

U.S. Congressman Joe Neguse to Keynote Longmont Sustainability Awards Event to Honor Local Environmental Champions

11/2/2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 2, 2021
Media Contact:
Ryan Schutz, Executive Director (720) 893-2458 ryan@srlongmont.org

U.S. Congressman Joe Neguse to Keynote Longmont Sustainability Awards Event to Honor Local Environmental Champions

November 2, 2021 - This Saturday, Sustainable Resilient Longmont (SRL) will host the 4th annual Longmont Sustainability Awards event, to honor local environmental champions. U.S. Congressman Joe Neguse will keynote the event, which will be held virtually via Zoom. Congressman Neguse will provide an update on climate change and sustainability policy efforts at the state and national level. We are delighted to announce this year's award recipients:

Volunteer of the Year: Mary Headley
Youth Environmental Stewardship: Rakhi Kataria
Sustainability Innovator: Byron Kominek
Public Servant of the Year: Senator Faith Winter
Community Sustainability Leadership: Sara Loflin

“I’m honored to be part of Sustainable Resilient Longmont’s annual event and in particular, to help honor the work of local and regional leaders working to protect our environment now and for future generations. As the recent wildfires, dramatic heat, poor air quality, and drought have shown us, it’s more important than ever to come together in the fight against climate change. I’m pleased to be supporting these awardees, and SRL’s efforts for local action,” said U.S. Congressman Joe Neguse.
The awards event is also SRL’s annual fundraiser, and 100% of the proceeds will go towards SRL’s mission of local sustainability and three focus areas of Renewable Energy, Zero Waste, and Earth Day.

The event will be emceed by SRL’s new Executive Director, Ryan Schutz. “I’ve seen first-hand the power of local grassroots activism to make a real impact. That’s why I am so excited to recognize local heroes that are working so hard to drive and inspire positive community action,” Ryan said.
“The work that SRL is doing to move local and regional action on climate change is paramount to our ability to continue a high quality of life here on the Front Range and beyond. Through their work on renewable energy, zero waste, and Earth Day, SRL is a local leader on environmental issues. I’m honored to receive this award,” said Progress Now Colorado Executive Director and Erie Board of Trustee Sara Loflin.
For more information on the event, including program, tickets and silent auction, please visit http://www.srlongmont.org/2021-sustainability-awards.html. Virtual event tickets are still available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2021-longmont-sustainability-awards-tickets-183047498997. More than forty local businesses have donated items to the online silent auction.

Longmont Sustainability Awards
November 6th, 2021
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Virtual Event via Zoom
Event Program
Emcee: Ryan Schutz
Awards Presentation:

Volunteer of the Year: Mary Headley, Zero Waste Committee Member and Local Environmental Activist
- Presented by: Shari Malloy
Youth Environmental Stewardship: Rakhi Kataria, St Vrain Valley School District Student
- Presented by: Naomi Curland
Public Servant of the Year: Faith Winter, State Senator
- Presented by: Janet Rose
Sustainability Innovator: Byron Kominek, Owner, Jack’s Solar Garden
- Presented by: Ryan Schutz
Community Sustainability Leadership: Sara Loflin, Executive Director, ProgressNow Colorado, Erie Board of Trustees
- Presented by: Mike Foote

Live Auction Host: Representative Jonathan Singer

Keynote Speaker: U.S. Congressman Joe Neguse

Live Music by: Monica Marie of Lyons https://www.monicamariemusic.com/

Food provided by: La Vita Bella https://www.longmontcocktails.com/

For a full list of event sponsors please visit:
http://www.srlongmont.org/2021-sustainability-awards.html

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Sustainable Resilient Longmont Sustainable Resilient Longmont collaborates with the Longmont community to cultivate a sustainable and thriving city. As the hub for education, advocacy and action, we support the three pillars of sustainability: environmental protection, responsible economic growth and social equity. www.srlongmont.org

Video Recording of Oct. 13th Longmont Sustainability Issues Candidate Forum is Now Available

10/12/2021

Watch the Recording on our YouTube Channel

Longmont Sustainability Issues Candidate Forum
Wednesday, October 13th
6:30-8:30 p.m.

The Longmont Sustainability Issues Candidate Forum co-sponsored by Sustainable Resilient Longmont, Eco-Cycle and the East County Housing Opportunity Coalition, featured nine out of ten candidates running for Longmont Mayor and City Council, this event focused on environment and sustainability issues. Topics included: Renewable Energy, Zero Waste, Transportation, Affordable Housing/Smart Growth, Fracking, Climate Change, Air Pollution, Water Conservation and Quality, and Food Systems/Sustainable Agriculture.

Liz Lane, news and public affairs anchor, host, and producer on KGNU Radio, moderated the forum.

Watch the Recording on our YouTube Channel

Longmont Sustainability Forum
October 13th, 2021
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Via Zoom

Co-sponsored by: Sustainable Resilient Longmont, Eco-Cycle and ECHO

Moderator: Liz Lane (KGNU)

Live Spanish Interpreter: Rosabelle White Aguirre

Topics:

Renewable Energy
Zero Waste
Transportation
Affordable Housing/Smart Growth
Fracking
Climate Change
Air Pollution

Water Conservation and Quality
Food Systems/Sustainable Agriculture

Participants:
Mayor: Gregory Harris, Joan Peck, Tim Waters

At-Large: Diane Crist, Jeremy Dejuan Johnson, Aren Rodriguez, Tallis Salamatian, Shiquita Yarbrough

Ward 2: Marcia Martin

Given the recent surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, this event will be held virtually via Zoom.

The Longmont EV Fair is October 3rd at the Boulder County Fairgrounds

9/27/2021

Sustainable Resilient Longmont

For Immediate Release
September 27, 2021

Media Contact: Ryan Schutz, ryan@srlongmont.org, 720-893-2458

Electric Technology is Ready for YOU at the Longmont Electric Vehicle Fair

Presented by Colorado Renewable Energy Society
Gebhardt BMW
Boulder Hybrids
Sunday, October 3rd, 11am until 3pm
Boulder County Fairgrounds, Longmont, Colorado

The eleventh annual National Drive Electric Week, a coast-to-coast celebration of electric vehicles (EVs), is being held September 25–October 3.

Locally, the Longmont Electric Vehicle Fair will help raise the awareness, benefits and availability of plug-in vehicles. Over 40 electric car owners will be sharing their cars and experience alongside used EV dealers, new EV dealers, and experts that can demystify the electric car ownership experience.

This fun event will include opportunities for test drives and rides, discussion panels with EV owners and experts, electric bike demos, a variety of vendors , food trucks, music, and door prizes.

“Electric vehicles have improved enormously over the last five years, these cars can be fun, efficient and surprisingly convenient to drive,” said Ryan Schutz, Executive Director of Sustainable Resilient Longmont. “The Longmont Electric Vehicle Fair is an opportunity to learn how electric vehicle technology is ready for you.”

There are now more than 1.5 million EVs on the road in the United States, and a recent survey by Consumer Reports and the Union of Concerned Scientists showed that more than 60% of prospective car buyers in the U.S. are interested in electric vehicles. There are now more than 40 models available in the U.S., with many of the newer models having a range of 200-300 miles or more.

Electric Vehicle Dealers at the EV Fair include:
Gebhardt BMW
Foundation Hyundai
Valley Nissan
Green Eyed Motors
Boulder Hybrids
Lightning eMotors
Small Planet eBikes
Freedom Folding Electric Bike

For more information about Longmont’s Electric Vehicle Fair visit: www.srlongmont.org/events

For a complete list of National Drive Electric Week events, visit: DriveElectricWeek.org

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Sustainable Resilient Longmont Announces Ryan Schutz as Executive Director

8/26/2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 26, 2021
Media Contacts:
Ryan Schutz, Executive Director (720) 893-2458 ryan@srlongmont.org
Abby Driscoll, Chair, Board of Directors (720) 491-9065 abby@srlongmont.org

Longmont, CO August 26, 2021--- Sustainable Resilient Longmont, a nonprofit based in Longmont, CO, announced today they have hired the organization’s first Executive Director, Ryan Schutz. Mr. Schutz brings more than two decades of experience as a nonprofit consultant and leader of volunteer-driven nonprofit organizations to this role, having worked at the intersection of social justice, transportation, and public lands access. Ryan previously served as the Executive Director of Bikes Together, a network of recyclery-style nonprofit bike shops in Denver, and oversaw building a national network of local grassroots organizations for the International Mountain Bicycling Association.

“I’m excited to bring my experience in nonprofit leadership to help Sustainable Resilient Longmont grow and build on its past successes. Longmont, like many communities across the country, is at a crossroads. We must embrace the challenge of the climate crisis with a sense of urgency. We must continue to fight for a future free from fossil fuels. We must do better when it comes to reducing waste and with it, harmful methane pollution. And we must continue to educate and engage local youth so they can become part of the movement to build a better, cleaner future. For these reasons and more, I’m enthusiastic about what we can accomplish working together,” said SRL Executive Director Ryan Schutz.

"We’re thrilled to have Ryan joining Sustainable Resilient Longmont and leading the organization to its next level of growth," said Board Chair Abby Driscoll. “As a small, local nonprofit, we’ve made the strategic decision that it was the right time to invest in an Executive Director to provide leadership on organizational fundraising, communications, as well as events and community engagement. With the growing threat of climate change affecting local air quality and threatening our community, it’s even more critical for Longmont to have an organization working at the local level on these issues,” Driscoll added.

For more information, including Ryan’s full bio, please visit SRL’s website at: http://www.srlongmont.org.

Sustainable Resilient Longmont to hold 7th annual Longmont Earth Day

4/21/2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 21, 2021
Media Contacts:

Naomi Curland (612) 325-9192 naomi@srlongmont.org
Abby Driscoll (720) 491-9065 abby@srlongmont.org

April 21, 2021- This Saturday, Sustainable Resilient Longmont (SRL) will host the 7th annual Longmont Earth Day, featuring a full day of programming for youth, families, and adults of all ages. The daytime programming will consist of two online sessions: the first session for elementary-aged youth and the second for students in middle through high school. The morning session for younger participants will feature an interactive presentation with the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center followed by a bilingually presented recycled arts and crafts activity. The events for our older students will kick off at 1:00 p.m. with conversation and advice on how to start an environmental club. Then, we will begin our Youth Visions for the Future Film Festival, viewing and discussing submissions from our local student filmmakers.

In the evening, we will co-host with the Longmont Museum a bilingual, interactive program about what Longmont is doing to promote economic and racial justice and equity while mitigating climate change. This event, We're In This Together: Equitable Climate Action in Longmont, will feature a live panel with members of the City’s Equitable Climate Action Team. This is a bilingual event, and Spanish and English interpretation will be provided.
“I’m excited to be organizing our 7th annual Earth Day celebration,” said Naomi Curland, Vice Chair of the Sustainable Resilient Longmont Board of Directors. “We have an excellent lineup of fun, interactive and educational online events, as well as a community cleanup on Sunday.”

“It has been an absolute honor to be involved in the planning of the Earth Day celebration for the second year in a row. It is a joy to see the resilience of our program as we overcome the challenges of the pandemic with the help of online services and our incredible friends at the Longmont Museum. Our event has grown not only in size from the previous year, but in inclusivity, as well, blossoming to mirror the true diversity of our amazing community. With programming suitable for everyone from young children to adults, as well as multiple bilingual opportunities and a showcasing of the city’s Equitable Climate Action Team, this Earth Day is sure to be as beautifully diverse as the environment of the state we all call home.” said Allie Hummer, Silver Creek High School Senior.

“Wonderful things can be achieved when there is teamwork and collaboration. I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences on the Equitable Climate Action panel as part of Longmont Earth Day this year.” added Iris J. Prieto - Cultural Broker, Promotora, and Founder of HOLA.

The full program is below and more information can be found at http://www.srlongmont.org/earth-day.html

Longmont Earth Day
April 24, 2021
Virtual Event

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Longmont Wildlife Rescue

Join us to learn how local nonprofit Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center takes care of abandoned and injured wildlife! During this interactive presentation, participants will discover new local species and find out how to help orphaned wild animals.
Presenter: Claudia Laprise, Volunteer & Outreach Manager with Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Recycled Environmental Art Activities

These bilingually presented art activities will guide participants through creating their own artwork using materials found at home! Materials needed include: cardboard, two cardboard tubes, nature pictures, yarn or string, glue, markers, paint and/or paint pens.
Presenters: Mary Claire Collins, Kindergarten teacher, La escuela bilingue Pioneer, BVSD, Stephanie Potter, 3rd Grade Teacher, Eagle Crest Elementary School, SVVSD

1:00- 2:00 p.m. Environmental Club Student Panel

Join local high school students for a panel discussion about running an environmental club, and tips for event and campaign planning.
Panelists: Ana Greer, Longmont High School, Rakhi Kataria, Silver Creek High School, Earth Guardians, Youth Sustainability Board
Moderator: Maya Beauvineau, Niwot High School

2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Youth Visions for the Future Film Festival

Enjoy a collection of short environmentally-focused films made by local youth filmmakers.
Hosted by: Allie Hummer, Silver Creek High School, Jorge Arroyo, Longmont High School

Register for the day program to join via Zoom, or stream on SRL’s Facebook page: http://facebook.com/SustainableResilientLongmont

6:30 - 8:30 p.m. We're In This Together: Equitable Climate Action in Longmont (co-presented with the Longmont Museum)

Climate change affects everyone, and everyone can do something about it. As part of SRL's virtual Earth Day Celebration at the Longmont Museum, join the Equitable Climate Action Team (ECAT) on Saturday, April 24 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. to learn about what Longmont is doing to promote economic and racial justice and equity while mitigating climate change. The evening will include a live panel with members of ECAT, as well as an opportunity for the public to ask questions and find out how to get involved. This is a bilingual event, and Spanish and English interpretation will be provided. The panel will be moderated by Katie Doyle Myers, Executive Director of Philanthropiece Foundation. We are excited to welcome our community panelists to this year’s Earth Day celebration!
- Garrett Chappell - Local Artist and Climate Advocate
- Osbaldo Jane Gomez - Longmont Senior Center Latino Chorus
- Iris J. Prieto - Cultural Broker, Promotora, and Founder of HOLA
- Rachel Zelaya - Small Business Owner and Neighborhood Organizer

Ways to Watch:
- Longmont Museum's Facebook LIVE https://www.facebook.com/longmontmuseum
- Longmont Museum's Live Stream Webpage https://www.longmontcolorado.gov/departments/departments-e-m/museum/watch-events-online
- https://longmontpublicmedia.org/
- Local Comcast Channel 8/880
- Longmont Public Media's Roku App
- Watch in Spanish: https://bit.ly/LongmontYoutubeLive

For a full list of event sponsors please visit: http://www.srlongmont.org/earth-day.html

ACTION ALERT: Support the Boulder County Compost Facility

2/13/2021

ACTION ALERT
February 13, 2021

Support the Boulder County Compost Facility

Background:
Boulder County is building a new compost facility and your voice is needed. Currently, compostable material (food and yard debris, etc.) collected within the county must be taken to a processing facility that is 50 miles away from the Western Disposal transfer station--a 100-mile roundtrip for large, exhaust-pumping trucks. Locating a facility within the county significantly reduces the amount of miles traveled by haulers from Longmont, Lafayette, Boulder and all the cities in Boulder County and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions. According to an analysis done as part of the county's evaluation process, the proximity of this site and the expected resulting cost savings for generators and haulers will attract an additional 18,500 tons of organic waste that is currently going to the landfill. This represents a 44% increase over the 42,000 tons collected today. More information can be found at https://www.localcompostclimateaction.org/

Call to Action:
The Boulder County Commissioners will meet next week to discuss next steps on moving the compost facility forward. Unfortunately, local opposition to the plan has resulted in a lawsuit. We need to add community voices to contact the 3 Boulder County Commissioners ASAP to tell them you support this project.

Talking Points:

The Boulder County compost facility will increase the amount of trash we can divert from local landfills, while decreasing pollution from fossil fuels currently being used to transport local compost to a site that is 50 miles away.
The site chosen is the old Rainbow Nursery site on Highway 287, just south of its intersection with Highway 52. The site is zoned for agricultural uses (which can include compost facilities). The site does not have a conservation easement, and was never intended for public recreation or officially designated open space.
In the fight for a balanced climate, there are important and significant actions communities can and must take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One of the best ways to immediately reduce methane, one of the most powerful of greenhouse gases, is by creating infrastructure to keep organic discards out of the landfill and turn them into compost.

Boulder County Commissioners:

Matt Jones: Mjones@bouldercounty.org
Claire Levy: Clevy@bouldercounty.org
Marta Loachamin: MLoachamin@bouldercounty.org

Sample Email:

Subject: Support the Compost Facility in Boulder County at the Current Proposed Site

Dear Commissioner [Jones],
I'm writing in support of the proposed Boulder County Compost Facility as key infrastructure necessary for the County to move toward its stated Zero Waste goals. While communities in the county are doing a great job diverting organic waste through the collection programs and ordinances that are in place, we need a local compost facility to actually "close the loop" and make the best use of compost as a soil-building resource.

Specifically, I am writing to express my 100% support of the current proposed location. This east location is ideal for the whole county, as it is centrally located off Hwy. 287 & close to Hwy. 52. A local compost facility would also benefit Longmont, to help build capacity for residents to increase participation in the compost program.

The time is now to take local action to avert a climate crisis. The local compost facility makes sense for many reasons, including carbon sequestration, and local incentives to help our farmers and land stewards use compost to maintain healthy soils and restore degraded rangeland. Boulder County has always been an environmental leader. Please help us create a model that other communities can follow.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Coalition Partners & Supporters

For more information please visit https://www.localcompostclimateaction.org/

Rep. Joe Salazar to Keynote Longmont Sustainability Awards

10/12/2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 12, 2020
Media Contacts:
Abby Driscoll (720) 491-9065 abby@srlongmont.org
Rachel Zelaya (720) 252- 3962 rachel@srlongmont.org

October 12, 2020- This Saturday, Sustainable Resilient Longmont (SRL) will host the 3rd annual Longmont Sustainability Awards event, to honor local environmental champions. Representative Joe Salazar will keynote the event, which will be held virtually via Zoom. Representative Salazar served in the Colorado State House from 2013- 2019. A civil rights and environmental law attorney, Representative Salazar is currently the Executive Director of Colorado Rising. He will be talking about climate change and the importance of grassroots activism to make a difference, and will offer insights into the looming court decision when Colorado Rising sued to reinstate Longmont’s fracking ban.

“We must take on the fight against climate change on multiple fronts. The work that Sustainable Resilient Longmont is doing at the local level truly makes a difference. Public education, awareness and community building is essential to make an impact on policy, regulation, and moving away from fossil fuels to a clean energy future,” said Salazar.
We are delighted to announce this year's award recipients:

Volunteer of the Year: Jenny Kim
Youth Environmental Stewardship: Allison Hummer
Public Servant of the Year: Susie Hidalgo-Fahring
Carbon Free Crusader: Steve Szabo

“SRL’s 2020 Sustainability Awards are a beautiful opportunity to connect this community under our shared passions for environmentalism during this time of distance. I am so honored to be recognized at this event and I cannot wait to celebrate and learn from the diverse and amazing work of my fellow recipients,” said Allie Hummer, Senior at Silver Creek High school.
The event will be emceed by Longmont community activist Angel Sanchez. “Protecting our environment is a passion of mine and that’s why I’m honored to be part of the Longmont Sustainability Awards this year and recognize the important work being done in the community to help us move forward to combat climate change at the local level,” said Mr. Sanchez.

The full program is below and event tickets are available this week at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2020-longmont-sustainability-awards-tickets-119676809559. More than forty local businesses have donated items to the online silent auction. More information on the event can be found at http://www.srlongmont.org/2020-sustainability-awards.html.
Longmont Sustainability Awards
October 17th
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Virtual Event via Zoom
Event Program
Emcee: Angel Sanchez
Award Presentation:

Volunteer of the Year: Jenny Kim
- Presented by: Rachel Zelaya
Youth Environmental Stewardship: Allison Hummer
- Presented by: Barbara Keith
Public Servant of the Year: Susie Hidalgo-Fahring
- Presented by: Jake Marsing
Carbon Free Crusader: Steve Szabo
- Presented by: Eric Frankowski

Live Auction Host: Representative Jonathan Singer
Keynote Speaker: Representative Joe Salazar
Live Music by: Monica Marie of Lyons https://www.monicamariemusic.com/
Food provided by: Longmont Public House http://www.longmontpublichouse.com/
For a full list of event sponsors please visit: http://www.srlongmont.org/2020-sustainability-awards.html

Sustainable Resilient Longmont Celebrates National Drive Electric Week

9/18/2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 18, 2020
Media Contacts:
Abby Driscoll (720) 491-9065 abby@srlongmont.org
Luc Nadeau (720) 373-7613 luc@srlongmont.org

September 18, 2020- Next week Sustainable Resilient Longmont (SRL) will celebrate National Drive Electric Week, as part of a nationwide event. Electric vehicle drivers and enthusiasts will participate in a vehicle motorcade down Main Street, and state and local leaders will speak at a webinar to highlight the clean-air benefits and cost-savings of electric cars. We are excited to announce the following events:

The EV Solution:
How Electric Vehicles combat climate change while promoting affordability and equity
September 24th
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Via Zoom Webinar. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zFmSurz3TiCfSSTWM5aW1w

Presentations by:
- Christine Berg, Colorado Energy Office
- Elise Jones, Boulder County Commissioner and Air Quality Control Commission
- Francie Jaffe, City of Longmont
Longmont EV Owners Panel: Learn about affordability, environmental benefits, performance, and more from actual owners
Virtual EV Tour and Test Drive (Tesla Model 3, Fiat 500e, Harley Livewire)

Join us for an educational webinar with the latest updates on how Colorado is leading the way on electric vehicles at the state and local level. Following presentations by state and local leaders, we will host a panel discussion with local EV owners about the affordability, benefits, and incentives for EVs in Colorado. In addition, this event will feature a virtual tour and test drive of two EVs and an electric motorcycle!

EV Motorcade
Saturday, September 26th
5:00-6:00 p.m.

Begins at: Roosevelt Park SE Parking Lot at 5:00 p.m.
Route: From Roosevelt Park the motorcade will head South on Main St, then U-turn at 3rd Ave, back North on Main St.
To participate in the motorcade and for more information: http://www.srlongmont.org/events.html

In addition to these events, Sustainable Resilient Longmont is advocating for the Longmont City Council to pass a GoEV Cities Resolution. Carbon pollution from transportation makes up more than one third of total emissions and is the single largest contribution to pollution in Colorado. This resolution would declare Longmont a GoEV City and pledge to develop a Transportation Electrification Plan with implementation strategies.

Sustainable Resilient Longmont Applauds PRPA Plan to Close the Rawhide Coal Plant

6/17/2020

June 17, 2020- Today, Sustainable Resilient Longmont (SRL) applauds the Platte River Power Authority’s recent announcement of their plan to close the Rawhide coal plant by 2030. According to the announcement, this will mean closing the plant 16 years ahead of schedule. This is good news for the region, which continues to suffer from poor air pollution. The EPA has deemed the Northern Front Range an ozone non-compliance area. Nitrous oxides are one of the main precursors for the formation of ground-source ozone, and PRPA’s Rawhide coal-fired power plant is the largest single point emitter of nitrous oxides in Larimer County.
“After working on this issue for more than three years, it’s gratifying to see PRPA make this huge step forward to transition away from fossil fuels to a clean energy future,” said SRL Board Chair Abby Driscoll.
“In 2017, SRL started a campaign to move Longmont to 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. In 2018, the City Council voted to support this goal. It is very exciting to hear that PRPA is now moving closer to this goal by closing Rawhide. Longmont’s future and the health of future generations are at stake. We must continue to transition away from fossil fuels to protect our air, our health and our environment,” said SRL Board Member Karen Dike.
“PRPA’s announcement that they will retire the Rawhide coal plant by 2030 honors the will of their stakeholders to move toward 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. It’s encouraging to see our regional utility moving in this direction - I’m hopeful that PRPA will continue to push for forward-thinking and innovative solutions to achieve our goal,” - said SRL Board Member Luc Nadeau.

Northern Colorado Partners for Clean Energy Calls on PRPA to Implement 100% Renewable Energy in the Integrated Resource Plan

6/9/2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 9, 2020
Media Contacts:
Abby Driscoll, Sustainable Resilient Longmont (720) 491-9065 abby@srlongmont.org
Kevin Cross, Fort Collins Sustainability Group (970) 443-1560 jkevin87@comcast.net
Nick Francis, Fort Collins Partners in Climate Action (970) 426-6359 nickfrancis1896@yahoo.com
Gordon MacAlpine, Estes Valley Clean Energy Coalition (970) 342-4668 gmacalpi@trinity.edu
Dick Mallot, Renewables Now Loveland (970) 682-0374 dickmallot@comcast.net
Sarah Snead, Sierra Club Beyond Coal (443) 974-6291, sarah.snead@sierraclub.org

June 9, 2020- Today, Northern Colorado Partners for Clean Energy released the attached white paper calling on the Platte River Power Authority (PRPA) to Implement 100% renewable energy in the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). This document outlines compelling data points and central arguments for strengthening PRPA’s commitment to renewable energy in the IRP.

"2030 is a long ways away. That's still a decade longer of fossil fuel pollution in our communities. PRPA should be doing everything it can to transition off of coal and gas in a way that either meets or exceeds city commitments to 100% clean energy by 2030." said Sarah Snead, Organizing Representative, Sierra Club Beyond Coal.

“We cannot wait another five years for PRPA to aggressively pursue a transition away from fossil fuels. The time is now to get serious about how local communities can move towards a future where households, cities and towns are powered by clean energy. It’s what is best for our economy, our environment, and the health and prosperity of future generations. The point is that PRPA can do better when it comes to strategic planning with the planet in mind,” said Abby Driscoll of Sustainable Resilient Longmont.

“In late 2018, the PRPA board set a goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2030. In early 2020, PRPA staff seems to have concluded that achieving 100% renewable electricity cannot be done reliably or cost effectively, using a combination of incomplete and faulty assumptions in its IRP analysis. Given that we’re facing a climate emergency, this is unacceptable. PRPA staff needs to try harder to achieve the goal set by its board and owner communities,” said Kevin Cross with the Fort Collins Sustainability Group.

Northern Colorado Partners for Clean Energy (NCP4CE) is a coalition of organizations in the four municipalities that own the Platte River Power Authority (PRPA). We have a shared goal of transitioning PRPA to 100% renewable electricity by 2030. NCP4CE is a committee of the Colorado Coalition for a Livable Climate, but retains autonomy with regard to its work with the PRPA and all local initiatives. The member organizations of the NCP4CE are: 350 Northern Colorado, Colorado Renewable Energy Society, Colorado Sierra Club, Community for Sustainable Energy, EnergyShouldBe.org, Environment Colorado, Estes Valley Clean Energy Coalition, Fort Collins Sustainability Group, Renewables Now Loveland, Sustainable Resilient Longmont, Transition Fort Collins. For more information please visit https://colivableclimate.org/about-2/

Read the White Paper here

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