<![CDATA[SUSTAINABLE RESILIENT LONGMONT - NEWS]]>Wed, 27 May 2026 23:26:44 -0600Weebly<![CDATA[EV News for the New Year]]>Mon, 15 Jan 2024 21:56:04 GMThttps://www.srlongmont.org/news/ev-news-for-the-new-yearThinking about purchasing an electric vehicle?
New Programs, New Rules and New Facts to Ponder
by Heather Gerber, SRL Board Member
Perhaps you’ve heard of the many compelling environmental reasons to do so.  Transportation is the source of 29% of all US Green House Gas emissions, and light duty vehicles are responsible for 58% of all transportation emissions, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.  So, each time we choose not to drive a fossil gas powered vehicle we take a chunk out of Colorado’s greenhouse gas emissions, and (as an added bonus) we help keep our local air clean. 

You would also be part of a growing movement.  Last year, 11.91% of original vehicle registrations in Colorado were EVs, and in the 3rd quarter, that percentage was 13.28%, according to EValuateCO, a new dashboard set up to monitor the adoption of electric vehicles in Colorado.  Globally, the numbers are even more impressive:  a full 18% of new vehicle sales were EVs in August 2023, with 13% being battery electric vehicles rather than plug-in hybrids.  These are amazing numbers.  As a matter of fact, according to the World Resource Institute State of Climate Action 2023 report, we’re on track to hit our 2030 target for new EV adoption among light duty vehicles.

What you may not be so familiar with are the economic arguments for purchasing an EV.  According to Consumer Reports, an electric vehicle will save you between $6,000 and $10,000 over the life of the vehicle compared with similar fossil gas-powered vehicles. 

Where do these savings come from?  Much of it is due to the fact that electric vehicles don’t need gasoline.  Consumer Reports calculates that EV owners spend 60% less to fuel their cars every year than do owners of equivalent fossil gas vehicles.

This isn’t surprising due to the fact that EVs are just better at turning energy into motion.  The National Renewable Energy Laboratory recently published a report in which they calculated something they called the electric vehicle efficiency ratio, which was essentially how far a given amount of energy would take an EV divided by the distance that amount of energy would take a fossil gas car.  They found that the average electric vehicle in the U.S. can travel 4.4 times further on a given amount of energy than a gas powered car can.  In city driving where an EV’s regenerative braking systems are more frequently engaged this ratio jumps to 5.1 while highway driving pushes the ratio down to 3.6. 

But, fueling costs are not the only source of savings for EV owners.  EVs also cost less to keep running. In fact, Consumer Reports found that EVs typically cost half as much to maintain as do equivalent gas vehicles.  Without all of the moving parts of an internal combustion engine, EVs don’t need oil or transmission fluid changes, let alone spark plug or timing belt replacements. 

Plus, there are financial incentives at both the state and federal level to make the switch to an electric vehicle.  

At the federal level, the Inflation Reduction Act renewed and modified the Clean Vehicle tax credits that had been in effect before 2023.  The new incentive offers up to $7,500 tax credit for the purchase of new, clean vehicles, and 30% of the purchase price of a used clean vehicle, up to $4,000. 

It’s important to note that both of these credits have income and vehicle qualifications attached to them. To qualify for the new vehicle tax credit, you need an adjusted gross income of $300,000 or less for married couples filing jointly, $225,000 or less for heads of household, and $150,000 or less for all other filers. To qualify for the used vehicle tax credit, you need an adjusted gross income of $150,000 or less for married filing jointly or surviving spouse, $112,500 or less for heads of household or $75,000 or less for all other filers.    
Once you’ve established your qualification for the tax credit, you need to be sure that the vehicle you want to purchase qualifies, too.  

For used vehicles, this is more straightforward.  There are restrictions on the gross vehicle weight and the minimum battery capacity, but there are three restrictions that people should know right off the bat.  To qualify, the used vehicle must be at least two years old, it must be purchased from a qualifying dealership, and it has to have a sale price of $25,000 or less (including all dealership fees).  Details about income qualifications, vehicle qualifications and how to claim the Used Clean Vehicle Credit can be found at this IRS’ webpage.  

Understanding which vehicles qualify for the New Clean Vehicle Credit is more complicated.  Starting on April 18, 2023, new rules regarding the origin of both the critical minerals and the components of vehicle batteries came into play.  These were added to the other requirements that had already been in effect. Now, to get the full $7,500 credit, the vehicle you purchase must undergo final assembly in the U.S., meet both the battery component and the mineral criteria, and have an MSRP at or below the cap for the category of vehicle.  Vehicles that meet the original 2023 requirements and only a portion of the new requirements (in other words, either the battery component or the critical mineral requirement, but not both), can be eligible for half of the tax credit.  Details on the New Clean Vehicle Credit can be found at this IRS webpage.

The good news is that the government is trying to make it easier for consumers to navigate the process of finding a qualified new vehicle and taking advantage of the tax credit.  On Fueleconomy.gov, there’s a search tool that will tell you which electric vehicles qualify for some or all of the credit and how much of a credit they qualify for. 
In addition, you can now use your tax credit to reduce the cost of an EV at the time of purchase, if you choose.  To do this, you first need to verify that the dealership you have in mind has registered for this program with the IRS.  When you are making your purchase, the dealership will provide you with a time of sale report that details the tax credit eligibility of the vehicle you’re buying.  You can decide to transfer the tax credit you’re eligible for to the dealership as a down payment or a partial payment for the car.  Details can be found in this IRS document.   

Since July of 2023, the state of Colorado has begun offering tax credits for the purchase or lease of new EVs. For vehicles with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) up to $80,000, taxpayers can get a $5,000 tax credit.  And, for EVs with an MSRP of $35,000 or less, Coloradans can get an additional $2,500 tax credit, meaning they are eligible for a $7,500 state tax credit. 

Even with these tax credits, electric vehicles can still be out of reach for many Coloradans.  Recognizing that this is an equity issue, the state developed a program called Vehicle Exchange Colorado aimed at helping lower income Coloradans replace old or polluting vehicles with EVs. 

To participate, you have to meet the income requirements for the program, 80% of Median Area Income for your area, and the vehicle to be replaced has to be at least 12 years old or has to have failed a Colorado emissions test.  There are also additional requirements that the replaced vehicle must meet to qualify.  

Where both vehicle and owner meet the program qualifications, the state offers $6,000 rebates toward the purchase or lease of new electric vehicles and $4,000 rebates toward the purchase or lease of a used EV.  And, these rebates can be combined with other incentives, including utility rebates and state and federal tax credits.   

Interested in electric vehicles but wary of taking the plunge?  Many people who might consider an EV hesitate because EVs are still unfamiliar, new.  The Colorado Energy Office, in partnership with the Colorado Department of Transportation, has launched a program called EVCO to help assuage Coloradans’ worries about making the shift to an EV.  In addition to offering articles on EV ownership, the EVCO website has tools to help Coloradans find EVs, understand both Colorado and federal tax incentives, and learn about the growing network of charging stations available in our state.  If you need even more help, EVCO offers ReCharge Coaches who are there to “help consumers, local governments, workplaces and multiunit housing developments identify monetary savings, grant opportunities and other advantages related to deploying EVs and charging infrastructure.”
Though electric vehicles have just begun to permeate the American vehicle landscape, they are the future for transportation in a liveable climate.  In its World Energy Outlook 2023, the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that EVs will make up 30% of global vehicle sales by 2030 just based on current policies in place.  But, current global policies don’t fully represent pathways to fulfill our pledges to keep warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.  To make good on those pledges, 27% of transportation needs to be electrified by 2050.  If we want to aim for a net zero emissions target instead, 51% of all transport needs to be electrified by 2050.  As amazing as our EV adoption rates in Colorado were last year, all of the electric vehicles sold in Colorado so far only bring the share of EVs to 1.36% of total light duty vehicles.  We have a long way to go.

So, are you thinking about buying an electric vehicle?

]]><![CDATA[​U.S. Congressman Joe Neguse to Keynote Longmont Sustainability Awards Event to Honor Local Environmental Champions]]>Tue, 02 Nov 2021 15:47:06 GMThttps://www.srlongmont.org/news/us-congressman-joe-neguse-to-keynote-longmont-sustainability-awards-event-to-honor-local-environmental-champions
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
]]><![CDATA[Video Recording of Oct. 13th Longmont Sustainability Issues Candidate Forum is Now Available]]>Tue, 12 Oct 2021 22:19:29 GMThttps://www.srlongmont.org/news/the-longmont-sustainability-issues-candidate-forum-is-wednesday-october-13th-at-630pm
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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.
]]><![CDATA[The Longmont EV Fair is October 3rd at the Boulder County Fairgrounds]]>Mon, 27 Sep 2021 20:36:26 GMThttps://www.srlongmont.org/news/the-longmont-ev-fair-is-october-3rd-at-the-boulder-county-fairgrounds
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​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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]]><![CDATA[Sustainable Resilient Longmont Announces Ryan Schutz as Executive Director]]>Thu, 26 Aug 2021 17:05:15 GMThttps://www.srlongmont.org/news/sustainable-resilient-longmont-announces-ryan-schutz-as-executive-directorFOR 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.]]><![CDATA[Sustainable Resilient Longmont to hold 7th annual Longmont Earth Day]]>Wed, 21 Apr 2021 16:46:25 GMThttps://www.srlongmont.org/news/sustainable-resilient-longmont-to-hold-7th-annual-longmont-earth-day
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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


For a full list of event sponsors please visit: http://www.srlongmont.org/earth-day.html 
]]><![CDATA[ACTION ALERT: Support the Boulder County Compost Facility]]>Sun, 14 Feb 2021 02:20:31 GMThttps://www.srlongmont.org/news/action-alert-support-the-boulder-county-compost-facilityACTION 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: 
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
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For more information please visit https://www.localcompostclimateaction.org/
]]><![CDATA[Rep. Joe Salazar to Keynote Longmont Sustainability Awards]]>Mon, 12 Oct 2020 19:38:23 GMThttps://www.srlongmont.org/news/rep-joe-salazar-to-keynote-longmont-sustainability-awardsFOR 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 ]]><![CDATA[Sustainable Resilient Longmont Celebrates National Drive Electric Week]]>Fri, 18 Sep 2020 19:09:19 GMThttps://www.srlongmont.org/news/sustainable-resilient-longmont-celebrates-national-drive-electric-weekFOR 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.]]><![CDATA[Sustainable Resilient Longmont Applauds PRPA Plan to Close the Rawhide Coal Plant]]>Thu, 18 Jun 2020 00:16:45 GMThttps://www.srlongmont.org/news/sustainable-resilient-longmont-applauds-prpa-plan-to-close-the-rawhide-coal-plantJune 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.
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