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Congressman Joe Neguse to Keynote Longmont Sustainability Awards

10/21/2019

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 21, 2019
Media Contact: Abby Driscoll, Sustainable Resilient Longmont 
(720) 491-9065 abby@srlongmont.org

Longmont, CO October 21, 2019--- This Saturday, October 26th, United States Congressman Joe Neguse will speak at the 2019 Longmont Sustainability Awards. ​The event will be held 6:00- 9:00 p.m. at the Oskar Blues Oak Room. Congressman Neguse (Colorado Congressional District 2) will provide an update on climate change and sustainability policy efforts at the state and national level.

"Climate change is an existential threat facing our society. In Colorado, we have already experienced the impacts of the climate crisis on our lands, our farms and in our communities. That's why working on climate change is one of my biggest priorities. The power of the grassroots to bring community voices to the table in the fight against climate change is essential. I applaud Sustainable Resilient Longmont for their work to transition Longmont and the region to 100% renewable energy and I am looking forward to being part of their annual event." said Mr. Neguse. 

Sustainable Resilient Longmont is pleased to announce this year's award recipients in four categories:
  • Volunteers of the Year: Trista Rucks and Aron Arnold
  • Youth Environmental Stewardship: Coral Buchalter
  • Community Sustainability Leadership: Shari Malloy
  • Public Servant of the Year: Mike Foote

State Senator Mike Foote, recipient of the Public Servant of the Year Award (District 17) added “I’m proud of the work we were able to accomplish last year in the legislature to give local communities a voice standing up to the oil and gas industry. Sustainable Resilient Longmont is playing an important role fighting to move us away from fossil fuels and I am honored to accept this award.”


The event, which is Sustainable Resilient Longmont’s annual fundraiser, will feature a silent auction and live music by the Billy Shaddox Band of Lyons. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Tickets can be purchased until Friday at 5:00 p.m. at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-longmont-sustainability-awards-tickets-72841281233

“This is an opportunity for us to come together and celebrate the positive work being done at the local level to make Longmont more sustainable as we grow. It’s essential that we work as hard as possible to transition Longmont to a clean energy economy, reduce waste and educate youth about environmental preservation. I’m excited about the opportunity to honor local leaders working to make Longmont more sustainable now and for future generations ,” said Abby Driscoll, Sustainable Resilient Longmont Board Chair.

Oskar Blues is sponsoring food for the event and Avery Brewing and St. Vrain Cidery are providing beverages. The Green Solution is also an event sponsor. Sustainable Resilient Longmont has more than thirty silent auction sponsors. For the full list of event details, including sponsors, please visit: http://www.srlongmont.org/events.html.
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Sustainable Resilient Longmont Praises Adoption of Climate Emergency Resolution

10/10/2019

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 10, 2019
Media Contact: Karen Dike, Sustainable Resilient Longmont 
(720) 363-7119 karenkdike@gmail.com 

Longmont, CO October 10, 2019--- On Tuesday, the Longmont City Council voted unanimously in favor of a Climate Emergency Resolution. Sustainable Resilient Longmont fully supports the passage of this measure, which recognizes the “impact of global warming and the need to reduce global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions earlier than 2030 to hold atmospheric warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and avoid the most 12 catastrophic impact of climate change” and further “declares a state of climate emergency and that the global climate crisis poses a serious, urgent, and pressing threat to the well-being of Longmont, its inhabitants, economy, and environment.”

“If we are to make a difference, we need to step forward boldly with courageous actions. Longmont did this when passing the renewable energy resolution for electric generation. We can be the leaders again. Realism combined with common sense and vision will drive us toward actions that will drive down our greenhouse gas emissions, putting us on a path, along with other cities, to help avert the worst of climate change,” said Sustainable Resilient Longmont Board Member Karen Dike.
A coalition of community members led the initial push for Longmont to adopt a Climate Emergency measure. “The City Council has demonstrated they are dedicated to moving quickly to address climate change. The Sunrise Movement is looking forward to being involved in the working group that will convene and to working proactively to involve the grassroots,” said the group’s leader, Lynette McClain. 
For the full text of the Resolution please click here.
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Longmont Takes Part in National Drive Electric Week with theLongmont Electric Vehicle Fair

9/8/2019

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For Immediate Release
September 9, 2019
Media Contacts: Abby Driscoll, abby@srlongmont.org, (720) 491-9065
Karen Dike karenkdike@gmail.com, (720) 363-7119

Longmont Takes Part in National Drive Electric Week with the Longmont Electric Vehicle Fair

WHAT:
Sustainable Resilient Longmont is organizing Longmont’s first Electric Vehicle Fair to highlight the clean-air benefits and cost-savings of electric cars, as part of National Drive Electric Week. Four local auto dealerships including Valley Nissan, King GM, Gebhardt BMW and Green-Eyed Motors, will be displaying their latest EV models and offering test drives. Individual EV owners will have their vehicles on display, and be on hand to answer questions. Speakers include: 
  • Joel Levin, Executive Director, Plug In America
  • Shoshana Lew, Director, Colorado Department of Transportation
  • Mike Foote, Colorado State Senate
  • Elise Jones, Boulder County Commissioner
  • Brian Bagley, Longmont Mayor
  • Steve Szabo, EV Owner
This family-friendly event will feature live music, food trucks, and kids activities, including a solar bubble machine and free face painting. Longmont’s event is one of more than 280 across the country celebrating EV ownership.
In addition to the EV Fair, members of Sustainable Resilient Longmont will also be present at Longmont City Council on Tuesday September 10th where Mayor Brian Bagley will be signing a Mayoral Proclamation declaring September 14-22 National Drive Electric Week in Longmont. 

WHEN:
Sunday, September 15, 2019. 11 am - 3 pm.


WHERE:
Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont (North Parking Lot; same location as Saturday Farmers Markets) 


VISUALS:
EV Parade at 11:30 a.m. Speakers at 11:00, 12:15 and 1:30 p.m. Full program schedule can be found at http://www.srlongmont.org/renewable-energy.html More than ten local businesses and nonprofit vendors, and kids activities including a solar bubble machine. Individual owners will have on display Electric Miles Driven. 


WHO:
Sustainable Resilient Longmont is organizing the Longmont Electric Vehicle Fair along with the support of a coalition of local groups, including: Save Our St Vrain Creek, Citizens Climate Lobby-Longmont Chapter, Longmont Public Forum and Longmont Leads with Love. Boulder County Sustainability, EcoMark Solar, Gebhardt BMW, the Platte River Power Authority are local sponsors. Business vendors include Namaste Solar. The City of Longmont Sustainability Program, and Colorado Renewable Energy Society- Boulder County are nonprofit/government vendors. Plug In America, the Sierra Club and the Electric Auto Association are national organizers. The Nissan LEAF® is the exclusive national automotive sponsor.


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

For more information about Longmont Drive Electric Week, visit: http://www.srlongmont.org/renewable-energy.html
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Sustainable Resilient Longmont Hires Program Coordinator

7/17/2019

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 17, 2019
Media Contact: Abby Driscoll, Board Chair
(720) 491-9065 or abby@srlongmont.org

Longmont, CO July 17, 2019--- Sustainable Resilient Longmont is pleased to announce the hiring of Rachel Zelaya for the Program Coordinator position. This is the organization’s first paid staff position. Rachel has been a resident of Longmont for five years. Originally from New Hampshire, she earned a Bachelor’s degree from Brown University and a Masters in Classics and Teaching Latin from the University of Colorado-Boulder. She was also an Agricultural Peace Corps Volunteer in West Africa.


Growing up close to nature instilled a love for the environment in Rachel as a young person, that she has carried into her adult life. She brings experience working with nonprofits and running her own small business in Longmont, and is excited about Longmont’s potential to lead the way towards a sustainable future for the next generation.


“We’re thrilled to be bringing Rachel on board to help propel Sustainable Resilient Longmont into the future,” said Board Chair Abby Driscoll. “Her experience working with nonprofits, and her knowledge and commitment to sustainability are a perfect fit with the Program Coordinator’s role organizing our events and communications activities,” Driscoll added.

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Longmont Museum and Sustainable Resilient Longmont to Co-host Climate Sustainability Roundtable

4/12/2019

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 11, 2019
Media Contacts:
Joan Harrold, Longmont Museum
303-774-4715, joan.harrold@longmontcolorado.gov


Abby Driscoll, Sustainable Resilient Longmont

720- 491-9065, abby@srlongmont.org

Longmont Museum and Sustainable Resilient Longmont to Co-host Climate Sustainability Roundtable


Longmont, CO April 11, 2019--- The Longmont Museum is collaborating with Sustainable Resilient Longmont to bring a robust program to the community on climate change. The Climate Sustainability Roundtable will take place Thursday, April 18 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Longmont Museum’s Stewart Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

This dynamic, interactive event will explore the link between our global climate crisis and local sustainability efforts. Speakers will present about the science of climate change and actions being taken at the state and local level. Guests will be encouraged to find out more about what they can do to promote environmental conservation and sustainability. Speakers include:
  • Dr. James Butler, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Elise Jones, Boulder County Commissioner and Air Quality Control Commission
  • Magnolia Landa-Posas, Just Transitions Collaborative, University of Colorado at Boulder
  • Joan Peck, Longmont City Council
  • Emily Gedeon, Colorado Sierra Club
  • Karen Dike, Sustainable Resilient Longmont
​The event will be moderated by Liz Lane, producer and news host at KGNU Community Radio.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Sustainable Resilient Longmont to present such an important conversation to the people of Longmont and the region. As a center for culture in Northern Colorado, it’s essential that we provide a forum for people to listen and exchange ideas around the key issues we face as community,” said Justin Veach, manager of the Longmont Museum’s Stewart Auditorium.  

“From floods and fires to heat waves and droughts, climate change is something we have felt the very real effects of here in Longmont. I am pleased that Sustainable Resilient Longmont can help bring this conversation to the forefront as we celebrate Earth Day and explore how we can make a positive impact in our community,” added Abby Driscoll, Board Chair of Sustainable Resilient Longmont.

Dr. James Butler is director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Global Monitoring Division, which provides long-term records of all greenhouse gases, stratospheric ozone and ozone-depleting gases, aerosols and radiation at Earth’s surface. At this event, he will present a brief history of the primary greenhouse gas that regulates our climate, identify its link to human civilization, highlight its changes in past years, and underscore the impacts we can anticipate in coming years.

“A major part of NOAA’s mission is ‘to monitor the pulse of the planet’ so that we can know where we are and plan for the future,” said Dr. Butler.

Elise Jones, Boulder County Commissioner and Member of the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission said, “Boulder County’s Sustainability Program is committed to addressing the link between climate and sustainability through several innovative programs and initiatives to reduce pollution, save energy and transition our economy towards a clean energy future.”
​

“I’m committed to supporting local initiatives in Longmont to pave the way towards a more sustainable future for our community,” added Longmont Councilwoman Joan Peck. “That means not only environmental protection, but also affordable housing, reducing pollution from greenhouse gases emitted from automobiles by increasing options for public transit, limiting waste headed to our landfills, and thinking creatively about how we go about planning for the future in a growing City. We can do this but we have to be proactive.”
For more information please visit www.longmontmuseum.org or www.srlongmont.org
###
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

Longmont Museum
The Longmont Museum is a center for culture in Northern Colorado where people of all ages explore history, experience art, and discover new ideas through dynamic programs, exhibitions, and events. Learn more at www.longmontmuseum.org or visit us at 400 Quail Road, Longmont CO 80501.
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Northern Colorado Partners for Clean Energy Applauds Platte River Power Authority for goal of 100 percent non-carbon electricity by 2030

12/6/2018

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For Immediate Release: Thursday December 6, 2018

​Media Contacts:

Gordon MacAlpine, Estes Valley Clean Energy Coalition, ph. 970-342-4668, gmacalpi@trinity.edu
Kevin Cross, Fort Collins Sustainability Group, ph. 970-484-3141, jkevin87@comcast.net
Dick Mallot, Renewables Now Loveland, ph. 970-682-0374, dickmallot@comcast.net
Karen Dike, Sustainable Resilient Longmont, ph. 720-363-7119, karenkdike@gmail.com  

Fort Collins, CO. -  Today, Northern Colorado Partners for Clean Energy (NCP4CE) applauds the Platte River Power Authority (PRPA) Board of Directors’ unanimous vote to commit to a goal of a 100 percent non-carbon resource mix by 2030. The board’s vote represents the culmination of years of advocacy for 100 percent clean, renewable electricity from community members living in PRPA’s four owner municipalities of Fort Collins, Longmont, Estes Park and Loveland.  The goal was adopted as part of the utility’s Resource Diversification Policy and approved by the PRPA Board of Directors.

Earlier this year, the cities of Longmont and Ft. Collins both made commitments to reach 100 percent clean, renewable electricity by 2030. In the past month, the Estes Park Town Board and the Loveland City Council also passed resolutions supporting PRPA’s goal of a 100 percent non-carbon resource mix.

PRPA is the second Colorado utility this week to commit to a carbon reduction goal, following Xcel Energy’s announcement that it will reduce carbon pollution 100 percent by 2050. Colorado is home to nine communities that have committed to clean, renewable electricity. This momentum has pushed the state’s utilities to respond to customer demands for cleaner energy.

“I am thrilled to see the PRPA moving in the right direction. Renewable energy is the path that we must take to reduce the harmful effects of climate change in our communities. The residents of Longmont support this vote by the PRPA and this represents a major step forward to achieving Longmont’s goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2030, set forth by the City Council in January,” said Karen Dike, Vice Chair of Sustainable Resilient Longmont.

“We applaud PRPA for hearing the voices of people from across Northern Colorado who are ready to be powered by 100 percent clean electricity. This statement of values from PRPA is encouraging as the utility starts its long term energy planning, and we will continue to voice our vision throughout that planning process for Northern Colorado to shift away from fossil fuels and embrace clean, renewable electricity,” said Kevin Cross with the Fort Collins Sustainability Group.

“We are enthusiastic about this vote on the heels of the Loveland City Council’s support for the PRPA Resource Diversification Policy. We are confident the conditions will be met to see this goal to fruition, and expect it to happen even sooner than 2030. With the economic forces driving renewables further along, it’s exciting to see PRPA moving in this direction that will also benefit our environment,” said Dick Mallot of Renewables Now Loveland.

“Platte River has been a leader in the past, in the early stages of developing hydro and renewable energy; and now it's fitting that our municipal utility will take advantage of the opportunity to lead again, both economically and environmentally, as Colorado moves toward zero carbon emissions," added Gordon MacAlpine of the Estes Valley Clean Energy Coalition.

The member organizations of the NCP4CE are: 350 Northern Colorado, Colorado Sierra Club, Community for Sustainable Energy, Environment Colorado, the Estes Valley Clean Energy Coalition, the Fort Collins Sustainability Group, the Northern Colorado Renewable Energy Society, Renewables Now Loveland, Sustainable Resilient Longmont, and Transition Fort Collins. https://colivableclimate.org/noco-partners-for-clean-energy/


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Sustainable Resilient Longmont to hold Longmont Renewable Energy Fair

5/15/2018

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2018
Media Contacts: Karen Dike, Board Vice Chair and Renewable Energy Committee Chair (720) 363-7119 karenkdike@gmail.com Abby Driscoll, Board Chair (720) 491-9065 or abby@srlongmont.org

Longmont, CO May 15, 2018--- This Saturday, May 19,
Sustainable Resilient Longmont will hold the Longmont Renewable Energy Fair at the Roosevelt Park Pavilion in downtown Longmont. This free, community event will feature presentations and information from the City of Longmont Sustainability Office, Longmont Power & Communications, the Boulder County Sustainability Office, the Platte River Power Authority, Longmont Mayor Brian Bagley and Council Member Marcia Martin. With food trucks, a beer garden, live music, a kids arts  & crafts table, and booths from local organizations working on renewable energy, this event will celebrate the success of the Ready for 100 campaign’s success in Longmont and look forward to how we accomplish the city’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030.


“It’s encouraging to have the support of city and county leaders as we move forward to implement Longmont’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030,” said SRL Vice Chair and Renewable Energy Committee Chair Karen Dike. “It’s ever more critical that we provide opportunities for individuals, homes and businesses to transition away from fossil fuels that are impeding positive progress to reduce the harmful effects of climate change,” added Dike.


“We must keep the drumbeat going if we want to achieve the city’s goal of 100% renewable by 2030,” SRL Board Chair Abby Driscoll added. “None of this will happen overnight. Market forces are now reducing the cost of battery storage while  price reductions in wind and solar energy are combining to help protect the planet. Now that it’s literally cheaper and more economical to power the grid with renewables, we’re going to start seeing real change occur,” added Driscoll.


WHAT: Longmont Renewable Energy Fair
WHEN: 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. Saturday, May 19
WHERE: Roosevelt Park Pavilion: 700 Longs Peak Ave. Longmont, CO
Program Schedule:
12:10 p.m. Welcome
  • Karen Dike and Abby Driscoll, Sustainable Resilient Longmont
  • Tom Roiniotis, General Manager, Longmont Power & Communications
12:20 Billy Shaddox Band
1:00 p.m Breakout Groups
Track A: Moving Longmont and the Region to 100% Renewable Energy
  • Jason Frisbee, CEO and Alyssa Clemsen Roberts, Chief Strategy Officer, Platte River Power Authority

Track B: Be the Change You Want to See in the World, Boulder County Can Help
  • Brad Smith, Sustainability Outreach Specialist, Boulder County
1:30 p.m. Billy Shaddox Band
2:10 p.m. Breakout Groups
Track A: What Businesses Can Do to Reduce their Reliance on Fossil Fuels
  • Matthew Hannon, Business Sustainability Advisor, Partners for a Clean Environment, Boulder County


Track B: Creating a home free from fossil fuels: create abundance while honoring planetary limitations.
  • Dave Takahashi, Boulder Resident
2:40 p.m. Billy Shaddox Band
3:20 p.m. Breakout Groups
Track A: 100% by 2030: Longmont’s Plans to Transition to Renewable Energy

  • Brian Bagley, Longmont Mayor and Marcia Martin, Longmont City Council
Track B: Is there an Electric Vehicle in Your Future?
  • Bartley Meade, Certified-Nissan Sales Consultant and Electric Vehicle Ambassador, Valley Nissan
3:50 p.m. Closing Remarks
  • Karen Dike and Abby Driscoll, Sustainable Resilient Longmont
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Sustainable Resilient Longmont Presents 4th Annual Longmont Earth Day Celebration

4/16/2018

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 16, 2018
Media Contact: Abby Driscoll, Chair of the Board of Directors
(720) 491-9065 or abby@srlongmont.org

Longmont, CO April 16, 2018--- This Saturday, April 21, Sustainable Resilient Longmont will host the 4th annual Longmont Earth Day Celebration. This free, community event will feature an environmental education expo and programming for children and families throughout the day, including storytime, climate science films, music, and even magic! This family-friendly event will have a hands-on arts & crafts room with recycled materials, led by a local children’s art teacher. Samples Bistro, High Point Creamery and Sol Coffee will provide food and beverages outside.

Longmont Mayor Brian Bagley will kick off the event with a welcome message at 10:15 a.m. Other public officials attending include: Longmont City Council members Polly Christensen, Marcia Martin and Aren Rodriguez, State Representatives Jonathan Singer and Mike Foote, State Senator Matt Jones and Boulder County Commissioner Deb Gardner. The full program and list of sponsors is below.

WHAT: Longmont Earth Day Celebration
WHEN: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 21
WHERE: Longmont Museum & Cultural Center 400 Quail Rd. Longmont, CO 80501

10:15 a.m.       Welcome    
Abby Driscoll and Kate Collardson, Earth Day Planning Committee Co-Chairs
Brian Bagley, Mayor of Longmont
Polly Christensen, Marcia Martin and Aren Rodriguez, Longmont City Council
Deb Gardner, Boulder County Commissioner
State Representative Jonathan Singer
State Representative Mike Foote
State Senator Matt Jones

10:30 a.m.    Earth & Nature Storytime
Children's Librarian Amy Fontenot
Amy will lead a storytime featuring books for children of all ages.

11:00 a.m.    Carbon Dioxide, Climate Change, and Civilization
Jim Butler, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
A leading climate scientist will provide a historical perspective of the alarming warming patterns we’re experiencing today. His talk will feature video, imagery and props to educate youth about the human impact of climate change.

11:30 a.m.    Songs for the Earth
Hygiene Elementary Choir
The Hygiene Elementary Choir will lead us through songs inspired by the Earth.

12:00 p.m.    Our Climate Our Future
Alliance for Climate Education
Join us to learn the facts about climate change and climate justice, hear from peers facing climate impacts, and become directly connected with opportunities to take action.

12:45 p.m.    Magic Show
Erica Sodos Magical Enchantress
Erica will emerge as a nature elf from the depths of the forest to share her magical secrets, stories and messages. This show will feature informative and inspiring stories about respecting and honoring Earth, water and animals.

1:30 p.m.    Concert
Jeff & Paige
Their exciting fun-filled concerts and CDs are filled with love of the outdoors and ecology, bringing concepts like insect anatomy, energy conservation and plate tectonics to the whole family. Through their live shows and five albums, Jeff and Paige have reached thousands of children with their joyful spirit of play and passion for ecological awareness.

Environmental Education Booths
Alliance for Climate Education
Boulder County Parks & Open Space
Boulder County Sustainability
Citizens Climate Lobby/Citizens Climate Education
City of Longmont - Composting, Recycling & Waste Services

City of Longmont- Sustainability
Colorado Native Bird Care & Conservation
Colorado Ocean Coalition
Colorado Renewable Energy Society
Eco-Cycle
Growing Gardens
Hygiene Elementary
Longmont Food Rescue
Ocean First Institute
Ollin Farms
People and Pollinators Action Network
Rocky Mountain Conservancy

Sierra Club/Boulder Valley ICO
Southard Solar & Construction
Stand With Our St. Vrain Creek

United States Environmental Protection Agency
UpRoot Colorado
Wild Bear Nature Center

Event Sponsors:

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Northern Colorado Partners for Clean Energy Releases Second Review of Platte River Power Authority’s “Zero Net Carbon” Analysis

4/3/2018

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Northern Colorado Partners for Clean Energy Releases Second Review of Platte River Power Authority’s “Zero Net Carbon” Analysis
Review Highlights Opportunities for PRPA to Transition to a Renewable Energy Future
 
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 3rd, 2018
 
Media Contacts:
Gordon MacAlpine, Estes Valley Clean Energy Coalition, ph. 970-342-4668, gmacalpi@trinity.edu
Kevin Cross, Fort Collins Sustainability Group, ph. 970-484-3141, jkevin87@comcast.net
Dick Mallot, Renewables Now Loveland, ph. 970-682-0374, dickmallot@comcast.net
Abby Driscoll, Sustainable Resilient Longmont, ph. 720-491-9065, abby@srlongmont.org
 
Longmont, CO. Today, Northern Colorado Partners for Clean Energy (NCP4CE) released a second, more detailed review of the Zero Net Carbon (ZNC) analysis that Platte River Power Authority (PRPA) finalized in December of 2017. The new critique, which was prepared by the Salt Lake City-based consulting firm Energy Strategies, clearly demonstrates that the ZNC analysis underestimates opportunities in the rapidly evolving energy marketplace that make transitioning to 100% renewable energy sources achievable by 2030. “In addition to identifying missed opportunities in the ZNC report, the Energy Strategies study will help to inform a path forward for Longmont, Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2030,” said Abby Driscoll, Chair of the Board of Directors for Sustainable Resilient Longmont.
 
PRPA released its ZNC analysis after stakeholders from its four owner communities expressed interest in reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with their electric power. The analysis found that PRPA could achieve a ZNC electricity profile by 2030 with costs that are only 8% higher than “business as usual” on a net present value basis- a surprisingly small difference, particularly given the value of the public health and environmental benefits from the carbon reductions.
 
“The ZNC Analysis went a long way towards making the economic case for Platte River to begin to transition to a zero carbon or 100% renewable resource portfolio,” said Zach Pierce of the Sierra Club, a member of NCP4CE.  “The use of more reasonable and current cost assumptions for renewable energy and battery storage could easily have resulted in the ZNC portfolio actually being the ‘least cost’ portfolio.”
 
While the ZNC study presents a positive path forward for Platte River’s transition to renewables, the Energy Strategies analysis points out several areas where the report underestimated this opportunity. Energy Strategies calls attention to the following issues in the ZNC report:
  1. Overly conservative estimate of declining costs of renewable energy technologies and battery storage technologies;
  2. Exclusion of storage technologies such as batteries from the model;
  3. Inadequate modeling of demand side resources (efficiency, demand response, and distributed generation); and
  4. Overly conservative future pricing of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
 
The Energy Strategies review also highlights that ZNC accounting is “an unreliable measure of actual carbon dioxide emission reductions” that has not “been adopted by any existing or proposed regulatory framework.” It goes on to call on the PRPA to abandon this accounting scheme and instead work with its owner municipalities and stakeholders to “establish CO2 reduction goals…that would be achieved within a specified time period.”
 
Following Energy Strategies’ recommendation, NCP4CE is calling for the inclusion of a robust stakeholder engagement process in the development of the PRPA’s next Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which will likely commence later this year. That IRP, which will be in effect through 2025, should set the stage for the achievement of 100% renewable electricity by 2030. The member organizations of the NCP4CE look forward to contributing to that development effort.
 
The Energy Strategies critique of the PRPA’s ZNC analysis is attached to this news release.
 
The NCP4CE’s first review of the PRPA’s ZNC analysis, which was prepared by the Catalyst Coop and released on December 18th, 2017, is available here.

 
The member organizations of the NCP4CE are: 350 Northern Colorado, Colorado Sierra Club, Community for Sustainable Energy, Environment Colorado, the Estes Valley Clean Energy Coalition, the Fort Collins Sustainability Group, the Northern Colorado Renewable Energy Society, Renewables Now Loveland, Sustainable Resilient Longmont, and Transition Fort Collins.
prpa_znc_critique_executive_summary_180403.pdf
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prpa_znc_critique_180331_final.pdf
File Size: 508 kb
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Sustainable Resilient Longmont, Eco-Cycle and the Longmont Observer team up to host Sustainability Issues Candidate Forum

2/2/2018

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MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 2, 2018

Media Contacts:
Abby Driscoll, Chair of the Board of Directors, Sustainable Resilient Longmont
(720) 491-9065 or abby@srlongmont.org
Kathleen Thurmes, East County Zero Waste Coordinator, Eco-Cycle
303-444-6634 x120 or kathleen@ecocyle.org

WHAT: Sustainability Issues Candidate Forum
WHEN: Thursday, February 8th 6:30-8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Front Range Community College, Community Rooms: 2190 Miller Drive Longmont, CO

Sustainable Resilient Longmont, Eco-Cycle and the Longmont Observer are teaming up to host a Sustainability Issues Candidate Forum. Two of the three candidates for the Ward 1 City Council Seat will be attending: Tim Waters and Josh Goldberg. The forum will be moderated by Liz Lane, host and producer at KGNU.

Topics will include: energy, waste, water, land use, food systems and sustainable development.

FOR SPANISH SPEAKERS: The event will include live Spanish interpretation.
This event will also be live-streamed on the Longmont Observer Facebook page.

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.

Eco-Cycle is one of the oldest and largest nonprofit recyclers in the United States. We educate people in every sector of the community—schools, businesses, local governments, neighborhoods, and public events—about Zero Waste ethics and practices. Working in partnership, we help communities achieve their Zero Waste goals, the benefits of which include conserving natural resources and wildlife, reducing pollution, combating climate change, and creating jobs and new business opportunities.

The Longmont Observer is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan, community-driven, Longmont-focused news and media organization. Launched in 2017, Longmont Observer is the first digital, nonprofit news organization to serve the community of Longmont, CO.
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