Tony's
Newsletter
Tracking Activities of the Colorado Renewable Energy Forum &
Intermountain Harvesting Energy Network
From Colorado Working Landscapes, May 1, 2006
Volume 3, Issue 1
The Colorado Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) is an organization of agricultural, energy, financial and legal professionals, local communities, and advocate organizations committed to the development of 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.
Click here to read past issues in the archive
In this issue:
-Small Hydro-Electric Projects: Converting Water into Revenue Streams
-Intermountain Harvesting Energy Summit creates next steps for ag-energy development in region
-Report challenges Tri-State G&T’s need to build three coal-fired powered plants
-Calendar of Events
Small Hydro-Electric Projects: Converting Water into Revenue Streams
Water on its way to domestic or agricultural use can produce a renewable source of electricity and important sources of revenue. Dozens of small hydroelectric systems exists throughout Colorado and the US Department of Energy has identified an additional 251 sites with excellent small-hydropower potential, typically with less than 5 megawatts of capacity at each site. In many cases the generating capacity is added to existing water delivery systems. Below are examples of proposed small hydro-electric projects from around the state:
-The proposed hydro-electric component of the Grand Mesa Water Project in Delta County will provide a critical source of revenue to help finance project improvements including repairs to existing irrigation reservoirs. The project will serve agricultural, domestic and recreational uses.
-Aspen Ski Corporation is modifying its snow making systems to produce hydropower.
-Denver Water is currently installing 8 MW of hydro generation to the Grosse Dam outlet in Boulder County and 2 MW of capacity near a Denver water treatment plant. Denver Water currently produces more electricity from its small hydroelectric systems than its seventeen pump stations and treatment plants consume.
An upcoming meeting of the Colorado Renewable Energy Forum will include presentations about small hydro-electric projects. For more information contact Tony at 303-283-3524 or frank@workinglandscapes.com.
First Annual Intermountain Harvesting Energy Summit draws leaders from the region to advance renewable energy from agriculture
The Intermountain Harvesting Energy Summit held in Loveland, CO on March 27-28th brought together more than 200 people from the region. Participants represented a variety of organizations and government agencies interested in developing regional and state networks to advance agriculture-driven energy production. An important outcome from the summit included the development of next steps and plans for renewable energy networks involving agricultural groups in five states: Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Kansas. Throughout the year this newsletter will provide updates to the development of the Intermountain Harvesting Energy Network and plans for Summit 2007. Stay tuned.
For a summary of the Summit including presentations and state planning please visit the Intermountain Harvesting Energy Network’s web site at: www.HarvestEnergy.org.
Report released challenges Tri-State G&T’s need to build three coal-fired powered plants
A report challenging the proposal to build three coal-fired power plants and associated transmission lines by the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association was issued on April 26 by Western Resource Advocates (WRA) and the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP). Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association’s Resource Plan: Analysis and Alternatives finds that there are less costly and less risky options for meeting the growing energy service requirements in the Tri-State service area, and that the three new power plants are unnecessary. The full report is available at www.westernresourceadvocates.org and www.swenergy.org.
In August 2005 Tri-State G&T’s board of directors approved a comprehensive resource development plan to construct 1,800 MW of new coal-based generation (two 600 MW units proposed for Kansas and one 600 MW unit proposed for Southeast Colorado) and up to 1,000 miles of new transmission line. The estimated cost for the proposed coal power plants and transmission lines is $5 billion.
Calendar of Events
Energy Efficiency in Tribal Communities: Maximizing our Potential, May 9-11, Council of Energy Resource Tribes, Radisson Hotel – Stapleton Plaza, Denver, CO. Tribal leaders from across the nation are meeting to discuss specific strategies to ensure that Tribes have access to existing weatherization and energy assistance funding and are actively working to leverage funds for homes, tribal facilities and businesses. More information available at www.certredearth.com/events.php or call 303-282-7576.
Innovative Ideas for the New West, May 12-14, Sopris Foundation, Aspen Institute, Aspen, CO. Learn of best practices in land-use, transportation, and renewable energy from flagship initiatives in the West and Europe. More information available at www.soprisfoundation.org or contact Piper Foster at 970-925-2521, piper@soprisfoundation.org.
Rocky
Mountain Farmers Union
Leadership Camps:
Fueling the Future,
for youth ages 7-18,
Bailey, CO.
Youth will discuss the
value of renewable
energy to their
communities and the
world, create a
renewable energy project
and take a field trip.
More information
available at
www.rmfu.org/events
or contact Jennifer
Luitjens Bahr at
303-283-3550,
jennifer.luitjens.bahr@rmfu.org.
-June 5-8, Junior Camp and Parents Camp, grades 2-4
-June 12-16 Senior Camp, grades 8-12
-June 19-23 Middle School Camp, grades 5-7
Colorado Renewable Energy Forum, General Meeting, May 19, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m., at the Colorado Farm Bureau headquarters. For more information contact Tony Frank at frank@workinglandscapes.com or 303-283-3524.
National Solar Conference, July 8-13, Denver Adams Mark Hotel, 16th St. Mall. More information available at www.solar2006.org.
Colorado Working Landscapes
Email: information@workinglandscapes.com
Phone: 303-283-3524
Colorado Working Landscapes (CWL) is a landowner-driven coalition of interests dedicated to the advancement of public policies and private initiatives to conserve land, preserve and sustain agriculture, and enhance landowner values while recognizing public benefits.