About Pueblo County, CO

Yesterday I stopped in at Yes! Solar Solutions on 609 E. Enterprise Drive #120 in Pueblo West and spoke with General Manager, J.D. Johnson. Yes! Solar Solutions has been open for about three weeks and was profiled in the Pueblo West View last week (see: http://www.pueblowestview.com/business/1248328800/2). Yes! Solar Solutions offers integrated Photovoltaic (PV) solar electric solutions to homeowners and small businesses.

Part of Yes! Solar Solutions' mission is to educate the community on the advantages of using alternative energy. Yes! Solar Solutions has been working with local home builders to encourage having newly built homes "prepped" for current or future installation of solar electric power and the Pueblo Regional Building Department to establish local building codes for solar electric power. The Pueblo Regional Building Department now has a brand new checklist to be used when requesting a solar installation permit (see: http://www.prbd.com/pdfforms/pvchecklist.pdf).

"J.D." spent quite some time with me telling me about how his company is working with Black Hills Energy to offer reasonably priced solar solutions (after rebates).

Part of Pueblo West is serviced by Black Hills Energy and the other part (including my home) is serviced by San Isabel Electric. Black Hills Energy, a public company, offers substantial rebates for installation of alternative energy systems (see: http://blackhillspv.programprocessing.com). These rebates are funded in part by Black Hills Energy customers who pay an additional fee in their electric bill. San Isabel Electric is an electric cooperative, owned by its members, which does NOT offer rebates for installation of alternative energy systems.

Additional rebates for alternative power installation are offered by the federal government (see: http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/index.cfm?state=us&re=1&EE=1) and the State of Colorado (see: http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/index.cfm?re=1&ee=1&spv=0&st=0&srp=1&state=CO). (Note: While doing this research I noticed that Colorado Natural Gas, our new natural gas provider in Pueblo West, offers some incentives! Check this last link out if you use Colorado Natural Gas and need a new furnace or water heater or are adding extra insulation or a programmable thermostat!)

So bottom line, visit Yes! Solar Solutions to see if there could be a solar panel in your future. Bob Harford, Barbara Satterfield or J.D. Johnson are VERY knowledgeable about all of the rebates and tax credits that are available and they can talk to you about net-metering (where your electric meter spins backwards), return on investment, how installation of PV solar panels can increase the value of your home, and so much more!

I emailed Debbie Rose (debbierose@socolo.net), District 1 Director on the San Isabel Electric Company Board to let her know of my interest in solar energy and to ask her about San Isabel's alternative energy initiatives. Here is her response:

"Please include my contact in your blog. I am always interested in connecting with San Isabel members regarding any of their concerns or questions. Because San Isabel is a cooperative and not an Investor Owned Utility like Black Hills , our funding piece is different. Black Hills charges every consumer a fee that is set aside to be used for the matching funds for solar installation. Only a small percentage of consumers have presently installed the solar even though everyone is paying into the fund. San Isabel is looking at other ways to help our members that will result in greater savings in a shorter time such as energy efficiency and geo-thermal. With our new manager's guidance, we have been improving overall operations with a focus to not have a power cost increase next year. We think a zero increase will be the greatest benefit to all members as we continue to research what renewable installation actually pay back the investment. Thus being the best investment for all members who are interested. As the technology continues to improve in solar, taking some time to ensure the best solution is a resource to our members. Thank you for the opportunity to connect with the members in our area and I promise to share the feedback with San Isabel's manager, Reg Rudolf as we continue the work to improve member relations."

Deb

Recently I attended a meeting just for Realtors held by Black Hills Energy in Pueblo. Although the attendance was low the information was fabulous! The people holding the class: Gene Mantei, Kevin Pratt, Jill Linck and Ronda Veditti (from a distance) gave us a wealth of information.

One of the most surprising pieces of information that came out of this meeting was: Hawaii, California and Pueblo install the most photovoltaic arrays per capita in the country! I was so amazed I had them repeat this 3 times. Apparently, this was one of the factors for Vectra to move one of their manufacturing facilities to Pueblo.

We also learned about the various rebates afforded to home owners and general contractors if they build with energy saving appliances. (Residential new Construction Program) And with Prop 37 home owners can still and should be thinking about net meting. And home owners who go off grid are intitled to rebates as well.

Black Hills is starting a program where consumers can buy CFL at local retailers at a reduced cost. And are offering to pick up residential refrigerators (still working) for a minamal fee - less than the landfill will charge you.

Although this was a non CE (Continuing Education Credit) class it was well worth our time. Thanks to all involved at Black Hills and thanks for the pizza!

Remodeling in an energy efficient manner isn't difficult. There are plenty of building contractors who are struggling in this economy and most will do an addition or remodel on your current house. One of the benefits to hiring a builder in your area who is familiar with energy efficient building is that they have resources including crews in place already. They are familiar with not only your county building codes but how to make them better by building you an energy efficient, sustainable and environmentally sound structure.

Recently I've been getting calls for this kind of builder. If you decide to revamp, remodel or add on to your current home consider a builder who is familiar with Energy Star, Built Green or Leed. In the Pueblo or Southern Colorado area call Andre Messner at Messner Homes www.messnerhomes.com or call your local Association of Home Builders, they can give you a directory of local builders. Remember to ask for referral and ask to see either a current or past project. Have the builder walk you around and explain why and how things were done.

Remodeling is a process just like anything else, why not do it in an energy efficient way?

Here are the Pueblo West real estate statistics for 2^nd Quarter 2009, 4/1/2009-6/30/2009

(note: numbers in parenthesis are 2008 figures)

Residential homes sold 2^nd quarter by price (all 132 homes sold were single family-no townhomes/condos/patio homes)

10 < $100K

45 - between $100-150K

50 - between $150-200K

11 - between $200-250K

17 - over $250K

Residential homes sold 2^nd quarter by Pueblo West MLS location

42 - Pueblo West Acreage (south of Highway 50)

30 - Pueblo West East (south of Highway 50, smaller lots)

15 - Pueblo West Golf Course

4 - Pueblo West Liberty Point

7 - Pueblo West Manufactured Homes

35 - Pueblo West N of Highway 50

Vacant lots sold 2^nd quarter by Pueblo West MLS location

5 - Pueblo West Acreage

3 - Pueblo West East

1 - Pueblo West Golf Course

1 - Pueblo West Liberty Point

9 - Pueblo West N of Highway 50

Deb

An Invitation to all:

What: A facilitated Presentation of the Master Plan Executive Summary and Community Call to Action for the Happy Worm Herders and the World Of Recycling Management Services (WORMS) Recycling & Re-Manufacturing EcoVillage. Through this Community Call to Action, you can claim your role and share your support for participating in the expansion of the sustainable comprehensive economic, social, environmental, and waste management plan.

When: Thursday, July 30th, 2009, 5:00pm

Where: Robert Hoag Rawlings Public Library in the Ryals Conference Room (4th Floor),
100 East Abriendo Avenue, Pueblo, Colorado 81004

For: You, the Community Members & Stakeholders

Why: Our Community (Region) is ready for more economic development
opportunity and social/environmental stewardship, including comprehensive
recycling, for our long-term sustainability.

Agenda: *

· 5:00pm to 5:45pm ~ Social with Appetizers & Beverages / Sign-In

· 5:45pm to 6:00pm ~ Welcome / Introductions / Opening Remarks

· 6:00pm to 6:45pm ~ Presentation of Executive Summary

· 6:45pm to 7:00pm ~ Discussion about roles of Executive Committees

· 7:00pm to 7:30pm ~ Question / Answer Session

· 7:30pm to 8:00pm ~ Wrap Up



Special Guests: Senator Mark Udall - Staff / Senator Mike Bennett - Staff / Congressman John Salazar - Staff / Governor's Energy Office / Fowler Town Administrator / Alliance for Sustainable Colorado


Sponsored By: Judge Nelson Hill (Retired) & Mrs. Alice Hill


Co-Sponsored By: Sustainable Pueblo; Pueblo Recycling Coalition; Pueblo
Green Drinks; Tisha Casida, Publisher of That's Natural Magazine; Democracia
USA; Daily Grind Coffee Shop; Solar Roast Coffee Shop; Pueblo Restore; Solar
MR, LLC; Da Vinci Seclorum, Inc.; We Recycle Co-op; LLC; and others


Hosted By: Gaia Institute Wellness Center and its affiliated programs - Happy Worm Herders and World of Recycling Management Services Recycling & Re-Manufacturing
EcoVillage

Please RSVP to: gaiawellnesscenter@earthlink.net / alicelhill@msn.com
719.320.5080 / 719.251.0914

Please reply by July 27, 2009. Space is limited.



By the end of this Meeting, you will have:

· An understanding of the community-based community-driven plan

·
An understanding of what you can do to help move this plan forward for our community. An opportunity to meet and learn about the Sponsors and Co-Sponsors of this event

* Agenda may be subject to slight change.