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Tony's Newsletter

Tracking Activities of the Colorado Renewable Energy Forum

and the Development of Wind Projects

From Colorado Working Landscapes, June 3, 2004

Volume 1, Issue 9

 

The Colorado Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) is an organization of energy, financial and legal professionals, local communities, and advocate organizations committed to the development of wind and other renewable energy resources. To be added to or taken off the distribution list for Tony's Newsletter please send an email to frank@workinglandscapes.com.

 

Wind Networking Workshop: Focus on Rural Communities, June 16

Rural community leaders and landowners pursuing wind development are invited to a 1:30 p.m., June 16^th “Wind Networking Workshop” hosted by the Colorado Farm Bureau and Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. Pre-registration by landowner and rural community representatives is requested (see below). “Our goal is to find out which communities are getting organized and to figure out how we can support their efforts,” explained Tracee Bentley, National Affairs Director for the Farm Bureau and Chair of the Colorado Renewable Energy Forum (CREF).  The Farmers Union is coordinating rural outreach for CREF.

 

Also invited to the meeting are developers and consultants who will be putting together project bids for the 500 MW of wind generation that is part of the 3,600 MW of capacity Xcel plans to add to its system over the next 10 years. Xcel submitted its Least Cost Resource Plan, for consideration by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), on May 1, 2004. Former PUC Chairman, Ron Lehr, will describe the PUC’s planning and bidding rules and how communities and developers might work together to produce successful projects. Mr. Lehr is the Western Representative for the American Wind Energy Association, spending much of his time on regional transmission planning issues.

 

Participants will also be introduced to Front Range electric consumers wishing to develop a “renewable linkage” with rural communities through the purchase of green tags. Green tags represent the non-energy attributes of renewable energy projects to be purchased by willing buyers.

 

“We have an economic development opportunity and need to make the most of it,”  Bentley said. “I look forward to strong participation during this Networking Workshop.

 

Persons planning to attend should RSVP to Tony Frank at  frank@workinglandscapes.com.

 

The Networking Workshop will be held at the Colorado Farm Bureau Headquarters, 9177 E. Mineral Circle, Centennial, Colorado 80112 (303-749-7500). Directions: Exit I-25 at Dry Creek Road (exit 196); travel west to the first stop light, turn left on Chester; travel less than 1/2 mile and turn right onto E. Mineral Circle; then take an immediate right into visitor parking.

 

Preliminary Agenda

1:30     Welcome

            Tracee Bentley, Chair, Colorado Renewable Energy Forum

 

1:45     Introductions by Rural Communities

            Ben Way, Executive Director, RMFU

 

2:15     Bidding on Wind, Xcel’s Least Cost Resource Plan

            Ron Lehr, AWEA

 

2:45     Networking Break, refreshments

 

3:15     Urban/Rural Partnerships through Green Tags

            Susan Innis, Western Resource Advocates

 

3:45     CREF Action Plan Development, Support of Local Communities,

            John Covert, Colorado Working Landscapes

 

4:15     Adjournment, more networking

 

Rural Community and Landowner Registration

The Colorado Renewable Energy Forum (www.workinglandscapes.com/CREF.htm) is being organized to assist rural communities and landowners wishing to attract wind development projects, including local ownership strategies. Information obtained through the following  registration form will be distributed to wind developers active in Colorado and presented at the June 16, 2004 Wind Networking Workshop.  Email the information below to Tony Frank at frank@workinglandscapes.com.

 

Name:

Organization:

Address:

Phone:

Email Address:

 

What would you want to take away from this workshop?

 

If you are part of an organized community effort to attract wind development, please describe

 

Primary contact person, if different from the above:

Phone and/or email: