The Smart Energy Committee is a current program of SASCO.
The committee meets every first Thursday from 5:30 - 7 PM every month usually at Durango Coffee Company.
The goals of the Smart Energy Committee are: to promote healthy communities through cleaner, more efficient energy options; to influence and engage utilities, the local private sector, and political entities toward this mission; to continue a cooperative working relationship with the local utilities; to continue advocacy for various initiatives, including accessibility to and marketing of green power programs; to act as a forum and agent for implementing government, utility, and private-sector renewable power and energy efficiency initiatives; to continue advocacy for a sustainable alternative to coal-fired electric power plants in the Four Corners region; and to assist the Governor’s Energy Office in meeting or beating the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Colorado by 20 percent by 2020.
Current activities include: providing education on energy alternatives through public presentations; supporting the local efforts of the CLEAN campaign.
For more information or to participate in our activities, please contact Harry Riegle or call (970) 759-5259.
Past activities have included: working with La Plata Electric Association, the City of Durango, and La Plata County to develop the Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE) (2007); providing education and collaboration with the City of Durango and La Plata County in LEED-certified construction standards for municipal buildings; organizing and supporting the annual La Plata County Solar Tour and arranging for free educational talks on passive solar design and photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies (2004–2007); encouraging the Durango City Council and La Plata County Commissioners to unanimously adopt the U.S. Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement (2006); providing community education and successful campaigning toward the passage of Amendment 37 (2004); and working with La Plata County in 2004 and the City of Durango in 2005 to adopt the International Energy Conservation Code.
Up until late 2007, the Smart Energy Committee was known as the Southwest Colorado Renewable Energy Society (SWCRES). SWCRES grew out of the Southwest Colorado Smart Energy Alliance, which became a regional group of the Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES) in 2004. In November 2007, the SWCRES membership affirmed a resolution to dissolve SWCRES and form the Smart Energy Committee of the Sustainability Alliance. It was decided that by combining the vital functions of SWCRES with the Sustainability Alliance, the committed corps of community volunteers would be able to work more effectively and efficiently toward mutual goals.
Resource Links
Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency
La Plata Electric Association Green Power Program
Colorado Governor’s Energy Office
Colorado Renewable Energy Society
American Solar Energy Society