Climate and Energy News Roundup for June, 2009

The Climate and Energy News Roundup for June, 2009 is available online! Click here to view it.


Brought to you by the Climate and Clean Energy program at High Country Citizens' Alliance.

Local Groups Encourage Attendance at GCEA Annual Meeting

The following Letter to the Editor was submitted to the Crested Butte News and Gunnison Country Times on June 9, 2009.


Local Groups Encourage Attendance at GCEA Annual Meeting

Dear Editor:

You may have noticed that in recent weeks our electricity supplier, Tri-State Generation and Transmission, has launched a media blitz promoting its intentions of changing the way they provide power. Tri-State claims that it will invest in new technology, develop renewable energy and improve energy efficiency. Given the unprecedented acceleration and certainty of climate change coupled with legislation that will make coal-based power increasingly expensive, these measures are exactly what is needed to maintain human and environmental health while preventing your electricity bill from skyrocketing.

Your local Alliance for Clean Electricity (www.allianceforcleanelectricity.org) and the Climate and Clean Energy Program at High Country Citizens’ Alliance wholeheartedly endorse the measures that Tri-State claims to be taking. Developing renewable generation and implementing energy efficiency measures to be provided locally through Gunnison County Electric Association (GCEA) are among the most important ways to protect the climate and your electric rates. It is critical however, that our community can collectively hold them to their word, making sure these claims are actually delivered. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is currently considering a closer working relationship with Tri-State to assist them in achieving this New Energy Economy. By supporting the PUC’s initiative, you’ll be helping this progress and our collective future.

Several reasons exist to maintain some skepticism about Tri-State’s actual direction, including the recent approval of a 795 MegaWatt coal-fired power plant at Holcomb, Kansas. While the development of new coal-fired generation at Holcomb was blocked three times by the former Governor, the new governor of Kansas quickly drafted legislation to allow the project. Originally, Tri-State was the principal investor in this proposed coal plant(s), having invested $50 million of their members’ (including GCEA’s) money. Now, given their shift in mindset, plans to develop renewables and the recognition that new coal-fired development makes little economic sense, Tri-State is unsure about whether or not to remain a partner.

As a member and owner of GCEA (if you receive an electric bill for them you are a member/owner) you have the ability to influence their policy as well as Tri-State's. Don't let Tri-State simply market their progressive new strategies -- make sure they follow through! Attend the GCEA Annual Meeting on June 23, 2009 at 5 p.m at their headquarters in Gunnison. In addition to enjoying a free barbecue, you can meet and mingle with GCEA's staff, board of directors and manager Mike Wells. Let them know that you support a new direction that develops renewable generation and invests in energy efficiency and that you want GCEA to make sure Tri-State delivers on their advertised claims. Additionally, remember to support the Colorado PUC’s initiative to work more closely with Tri-State to help them move towards a New Energy Economy. Even if you are unable to attend the GCEA annual meeting, please consider a donation to HCCA's Climate and Clean Energy program to support efforts to advocate for our energy future.

Chris Menges,

HCCA Climate and Clean Energy Coordinator

Alliance for Clean Electricity coordinator

_____________________________________________________

Want to help promote clean energy and slow climate change through local action? Please donate to the Climate and Clean Energy Program by clicking the button below. Your much needed tax deductible contribution is payable via credit card or PayPal.

Basic Car Clinic -June 13

Dave Rose, a long time car mechanic, will look under the hood with you and explain the idiosyncrasies of your model, common problems to watch for, and anything not quite right he may detect.

The Class Includes:
• A Layperson’s review of auto mechanics
• Discussion of oil and other car fluids
• List of items to check
• What to always carry in your car
• Maintenance Schedules
• How to keep your maintenance records
• One–on–One discussion with you about your car and also includes an additional 2-3 hour session to be arranged with Dave to go over individual cars with each owner.

Cost is $50 and all proceeds benefit HCCA.
To register for this event please call High Country Citizens’ Alliance at:
(970) 349-7104 ext. 7 or email us at office@hccaonline.org.

Saturday, June 13 at the Historic Train Depot (716 Elk Ave.)
The class begins at 11:00 am.
Please bring drinks and snacks for the short break!

Climate and Energy News Roundup for May 25 - May 31, 2009

Climate and Energy News Roundup for May 25 - May 31, 2009

Instructions: Click the article title, which is a link, to read the story.

Tri-State Related and Local News

The Empire Strikes Back! Tri-State G&T Counters its Critics.

Kansas Enacts Renewable Energy Standard, Permits Disputed Coal Plant

Finances Could Inhibit Crested Butte Energy Action Plan Implementation

Energy

With Billions at Stake, Trying to Expand the Meaning of ‘Renewable Energy’

DOE Announces $467M For Solar and Geothermal

Climate

Climate change causes 315,000 deaths a year (Quote - "annual death toll is expected to rise to half a million by 2030.")

Climate health costs: bug-borne ills, killer heat (Quote - "Climate change is the biggest global health threat of the 21st century.")

U.N.'s Ban says climate change pace "alarming" (Quote - “The impact of climate change is accelerating at an "alarming" pace and urgent action must be taken” -U.N. Secretary-General)

Greenland ice could fuel severe U.S. sea level rise

Refugees Join List of Climate-Change Issues

National Policy / International Affairs

U.S. says climate policies among world's toughest

Emissions traders expect U.S. carbon market soon

Want to help promote clean energy and slow climate change through local action? Please donate to the Climate and Clean Energy Program by clicking the button below. Your much needed tax deductible contribution is payable via credit card or paypal.

Travel Plan Update

Gunnison County Commissioner’s Travel Plan Work Session

Tuesday May 26th from 10:50 – 11:50 AM – Let Your Voice be Heard

On Tuesday, May 26th from 10:50 – 11:50 AM (time subject to change – check website), the Gunnison Board of County Commissioners will be holding a work session on the Gunnison Travel Management Plan. This session is open to the public and the Commissioners will be taking comments on trail designations and travel management on the 1.6 million acres of public land in the Gunnison Basin & North Fork Valley. Come to the meeting and let your voice be heard!

With the June 3rd comment deadline for the Travel Management Plan fast approaching, it’s important to weigh in NOW. The county will be writing a comment letter to the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management and you have a chance to help shape what’s in that letter by attending this meeting and voicing your concerns.

There are 3 action alternatives in the Travel Management Plan and HCCA is encouraging its members to support a travel plan with Alternative 3 as its basis because:

• Alternative 3 is the most conservation friendly.
• Alternative 3 offers the best protection for Gunnison sage-grouse because of road closures near leks.
• Alternative 3 offers the best protection for the Whetstone Roadless Area & Cochetopa Hills.
• Alternative 3 is the only alternative that contains more non-motorized trails than motorized trails.

Let the county commissioners know that you value conservation issues in the Upper Gunnison River Basin and that you support Alternative 3.

In addition, write a comment letter to the USFS to let them know how you feel. Tell them you support Alternative 3 and also let them know what specific trails you would like to see remain open to your preferred mode of recreation. The USFS is looking for personalized letters that let them know what you agree with and disagree with in addition to which alternative you support and what improvements you would like to see.

Attend the May 26th County Commissioners Meeting on the 2nd Floor of the County Courthouse located at 200 E. Virginia Avenue.

And send in comments to the USFS . . . Email or Write:

Gunnison Basin Travel Management DEIS
2250 Hwy 50
Delta, CO 81416

E-mail: r2_gmug_gunnison_travel@fs.fed.us

Gunnison Travel Plan Presentation

GOT TRAVEL COMMENTS?

High Country Citizens' Alliance will be giving a public presentation on the Gunnison Travel Management Plan and EIS.

When: Thursday May 14 from 6 - 7 PM

Where: Crested Butte Town Hall (Council Chambers)

Why: Because YOU need to know about Forest Service and BLM road and trail designations.

With the June 3rd comment deadline fast approaching, the time to send in your travel plan comments is NOW! If you hike, horseback ride, rock climb, mountain bike, fish or recreate on the 1.6 million acres of federal lands in the Gunnison Basin, this presentation is for you. We will have a table set up for writing comment letters and a question and answer session will follow the presentation. Get involved with your public lands!

For questions or more information, contact HCCA Conservation Analyst Lawton Grinter at 349-7104 or lawton@hccaonline.org. Visit our website at www.hccaonline.org for more information.

Community Meeting with United States Senator Michael Bennet

Please join United States Senator Michael Bennet for a Community Meeting on Friday, April 17th in Gunnison to discuss issues of importance to our area. Your ideas and insights are very important to the Senator and he looks forward to visiting with you so that he might better serve you and, with your help, continue to make Colorado a great place today and for future generations.

You might consider asking the Senator about some of the important issues facing our area, including:

1.) Mt. Emmons and 1872 Mining Law Reform. Tell the Senator that this community is opposed to a mine on Mt. Emmons because of the impacts it would cause and ask him to support our efforts to protect our environment and economy. Ask him to support substantive reform of the 1872 Mining Law during this congress by backing the Hardrock Mining Reform bill that has been introduced in the Senate Energy Committee.

2.) Climate & Clean Energy. Tell the Senator that the threats of global climate change are particularly alarming for this community, Colorado and the West. Ask him to support legislation that would enable our region to use energy more efficiently and expedite our transition from coal-fired to renewable energy generation. Additionally, ask Bennet to support legislation that helps our state and nation transition to a clean energy economy, particularly cap and trade or a carbon tax.

3.) Public Lands. Tell the Senator that you want protection for Colorado’s 4.4 million acres of Roadless Areas that is equal to or greater than the protection given to these areas under the 2001 National Roadless Rule.

Please RSVP which meeting you plan to attend by emailing Randy See at randy_see@bennet.senate.gov or calling 970-241-6631. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS INVITATION TO YOUR MEMBERSHIP AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES

Gunnison, CO: April 17 from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, Board of County Commissioner’s Meeting Room, Gunnison County Courthouse, 200 East Virginia Avenue, Gunnison, Colorado.