| Chaffee County’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy | 51 |
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Existing Local Government Plans and Resolutions |
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| The development of energynow strategies included a review of existing county and municipal plans. | |
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| Chaffee County | The following Chaffee County plans and resolutions were considered during the development of energynow strategies.
Adopted in March 2000, the Comprehensive Plan for Chaffee County makes no mention of energy efficiency, energy conservation or renewable energy. Building Codes Chaffee County Ordinance No. 2007-01included adoption of the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code. Adopted in 2006, the Chaffee County Community Assessment makes no mention of energy efficiency, energy conservation or renewable energy. Adopted in 2006, the Chaffee County Community Action Plan makes no mention of energy efficiency, energy conservation or renewable energy. Community Wildfire Protection Plan Adopted in 2009, the Chaffee County Community Wildfire Protection Plan endorsed efforts to reduce the fuel load in forested areas in Chaffee County. The need to reduce fuel load offers an opportunity to provide feedstock for a woody biomass energy project while mitigating wildfire risks. Pine and ips beetle infestations have devastated forests in Grand and Summit counties and continue to spread southward. The beetles’ arrival in Chaffee County will exacerbate the existing wildfire dangers and could provide abundant biomass feedstock. The 2009 Chaffee County Economic Development Profile makes no mention of energy efficiency, energy conservation or renewable energy. Roundtable Resolution No. 2008-69 “Whereas, the Roundtable unanimously concluded, and the BoCC finds that the County’s agricultural lands and water resources are critical to economic, historic, cultural, environmental, and aesthetic standing of Chaffee County. The Roundtable Recommendations provide a framework for protecting and enhancing the viability of such lands and resources, without diminishing private property rights, and adoption of such Recommendations is essential to the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Chaffee County.” “Recommendation 7— Resource Standards” ensure Chaffee County’s unique natural and cultural resources are sustained for future generations. “Recommendation 8— Transportation” encourages long-range multi-modal transportation planning to meet the needs of anticipated growth. |
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| Buena Vista | The following Town of Buena Vista plans and resolutions were considered during the development of energynow strategies.
Adopted in 1992 and revised October 23, 2008, the Town of Buena Vista Municipal Code includes the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code, chapters one through six (Sec. 18-101). Developed in 2008, the Town of Buena Vista Comprehensive Plan establishes a goal of promoting and pursuing “sustainable development standards in new and redevelopment projects” (Chapter 9, Goal 5.E). Furthermore, “Buena Vista will promote development that incorporates principles of sustainable design to reduce both energy and resource consumption including but not limited to: minimizing energy and water use; promoting renewable energy sources and locally-produced materials; minimizing the use of pesticides, herbicides and other toxic chemicals; utilize sustainable design standard such as ‘BuiltGreen Colorado’ and the U.S. Department of Energy’s ‘Building American’ program (Policy 5.E.1). Chapter 10, Goal 6.D states, “Buena Vista will operate, maintain and develop its parks, open space and recreation system in such a manner as to minimize adverse local and regional environmental impacts. The corresponding policy statement (6.D.1) reads, “Buena Vista should use green building materials, renewable energy sources, native plant species and energy efficient operations whenever feasible with park and trail development.” |
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| Poncha Springs | The following Town of Poncha Springs plans and resolutions were considered during the development of energynow strategies.
Adopted September 21, 1998, the Town of Poncha Springs Comprehensive Plan supports collaborative efforts “to explore development of the Poncha Springs Hot Springs as a geothermal energy resource” (Policy ENR-5). The plan also calls for exploration of “joint improvements and use of the Poncha Springs Hot Springs water main” (Policy SI-21). (Policy SI-27). The plan also endorses partnering with Chaffee County, the City of Salida, local property owners and Greater Outdoors Colorado to extend the regional trail from Salida to Poncha Springs. The Town of Poncha Springs Standard Design Criteria, updated in 2009, does not mention energy efficiency, energy conservation or renewable energy technology. Adopted Sept. 28, 1998, and updated in 2009, the Town of Poncha Springs Land Use Code makes no reference to solar, geothermal, hydropower, energy efficiency, energy conservation, renewable energy or sustainability. However the code specifically allows “wind energy conversion systems and associated facilities.” The code establishes a 20-kilowatt capacity as the upper limit for “small” systems versus “large” systems. The code also specifies, “Only high pressure sodium (HPS), low pressure sodium (LPS) or incandescent fixtures shall be permitted in commercial and multifamily residential parking areas.” This requirement should be changed to allow use of new energy-efficient LED outdoor lighting and to prohibit the use of inefficient incandescent lights. The Town of Poncha Springs Highway Corridor Plan makes no mention of energy efficiency, energy onservation or renewable energy. Community Wildfire Protection Plan Adopted July 2009, the Town of Poncha Springs Community Wildfire Protection Plan identifies the need to remove dead wood, down trees and ladder fuel in order to reduce the wildfire risk. Use of the woody biomass from mitigation efforts would support the development of a countywide woody biomass to energy initiative. Action 22 is a volunteer-driven membership organization of individuals, cities, communities, counties, associations, businesses and organizations in a 22-county region, banding together for a stronger voice on statewide discussion tables, the State Legislature and in Washington, D.C. Action 22’s mission is to give voice to Southern Colorado and serve as a leader for cohesive action to affect change and shape the future of Southern Colorado. Action 22’s energy committee mission is to “assess, advocate and act through the building of partnerships and/or coalitions to improve and develop energy systems that promote a strong Southern Colorado economy and a healthy environment”. |
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| Salida | The following City of Salida plans and resolutions were considered during the development of
energynow strategies. The update of the 2010 City of Salida Comprehensive Plan is near completion. The adopted 2000 version refers to a resolution in June 1996 in accordance with the Colorado Water Conservation Act, which committed the city to further consider requiring water-efficient fixtures and appliances. The plan contains no other mention of energy-related topics. The City of Salida Municipal Code includes Ordinance NO 06-2009 regarding a temporary sales tax exemption for solar power components purchased by net metering customers. The municipal code’s “Land Use Development Codes” (Chapter 16) protects “solar access” to protect “reasonably placed solar energy systems from shadow-blocking exposure to the sun during hours of high insolation.” Requirements for planned development districts include utilizing “design and technology to provide a significant increase in the efficiency with which energy, water, land and natural resources are utilized, recycled and conserved” (Section 16-4-80). “Land Use Development Codes” establish outdoor illumination standards that “provide for safety, security and energy efficiency” (Section 16-7-10). For solar design in new developments, the code also requires “a description of the steps that have been taken to protect and enhance the use of solar energy in the proposed subdivision” during the preliminary plat review. “This shall include how the streets and lots have been laid out and how the buildings will be sited to enhance solar energy usage” (Section 16-14-60). The code’s “Building Regulations” (Chapter 18) includes “Article XIII: Energy Conservation Code,” which adopts chapters 1 through 6 of the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code. Completed in 2009, the City of Salida Community Survey gathered residents’ opinions relative to energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy. Among respondents, 13.2 percent endorsed recreation and trails as the city’s “main economic development focus” while 12.6 percent endorsed renewable energy. When asked, “What are the 3 most important issues that will be facing the City of Salida in the next 5 years?” 42.6 percent indicated affordable housing, 19.8 percent listed water, 15 percent said renewable energy initiatives, and 9 percent chose local food production. Given a hypothetical $100 to budget towards city projects and services, the average of all responses created a budget that allocated $17 for economic development , $15 for affordable housing, $10 for preserving lands for open space and $9 for renewable energy projects. Finally, respondents indicated a high level of engagement in environmentally conscious activities: • Recycling 85.9 percent • Buying local 85.9 percent • Improving home energy efficiency 69.1 percent • Reducing auto fuel use 64.6 percent • Backyard vegetable gardening 43.6 percent • Composting 35.1percent Historic Downtown Improvement and Economic Sustainability Plan Adopted in 2007, this plan does not mention anything relating to energy use or conservation. Highway Corridor Improvement Plan Adopted in 2007, this plan does not mention anything relating to energy use or conservation. Adopted May 2008, the City of Salida Strategic Housing Plan includes a measure promoting housing rehabilitation. “ Many houses on the market in Salida most likely require substantial upgrades and repairs Under “Measure Eight: Encourage Energy Conservation and Green Building,” the housing plan states: “Housing that is not energy efficient is not affordable because families are stressed to make high utility payments along with meeting other living obligations. The City of Salida promotes green building and energy conservation initiatives to address this escalating problem. a. Support the adoption of building codes in the County that support this goal. b. Require developers to have a reasonable percentage of their units meet one of the following green building/energy standards: Energy Star, Colorado Built Green, or LEED for homes. c. Consider starting a city-wide greening program to promote sustainable practices including energy conservation, green building, and education d. Develop a review system for City funded projects similar to the NEPA process for federally funded projects, to assure environmental impacts are considered. e. Support the development of a County Wide CLT that has a sustainability and community education mission (see Measure Eight) 09 City Survey.” Salida Recreation Plan Adopted in 2008, the Salida Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan suggests in Chapter III, “The Salida Community and Identified Needs” that trends increasing in popularity are: “Green design techniques and certifications such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). A recent BCA survey indicated that 52% of the recreation-industry survey respondents indicated they were willing to pay more for green design knowing that it would significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of buildings on the environment and occupants.” |
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