Feedback from our readers
Give us your suggestions on the Comments Page.
I, along with others I have spoken with, believe before any building plans or land auctions are conducted for geothermal energy plants there should be studies on the existing ones already in operation. I know the public would be very interested in the fact that they are not producing the electricity initially expected. Before home values, wildlife and the scenic beauty of the areas where suggested plants are to be built is destroyed forever, along with grant money spent which came from the taxpayers, let’s understand what it really takes to make them efficient. Why are we experimenting, and possibly ruining valuable real estate before we have the proper formula for an efficient operation. Let’s not make the same mistake, like the bailout money that cost taxpayers dearly and never created the jobs or small business help it was proposed to do, just because “Going Green” makes us feel good but does not help the environment or our economy.
Politicians like to talk about job creation and helping the environment but I have yet to see a windmill farm or other energy production plant in their back yards. Let’s talk to the people who have these energy devices near there homes. I’ll bet you’d hear how excited they were initially but how disappointed they are with the outcome.
Michael Simon
First, thank you for considering an integrated plan with community input.
Second, I am concerned that there be zoning and planning at each government level (city, county, state, federal) to ensure that any visible infrastructure, e.g., solar panel and wind turbines, do not detract from the natural aesthetics or the view shed of our valley.
Nancy Walters
Low-income households need predictable, stable, affordable energy bills. Installing PV panels and/or solar thermal systems can offset energy consumption, but the cost of installing a system is often prohibitive, and low income families can’t fully take advantage of tax credits. Third party financing is often the solution, but recent reductions in Xcel rebates may render this unpalatable to financiers. Access to financing is a key issue so that everyone can realized “green” living, regardless of economic status.
Read McCulloch
Very interesting meeting. The information about the Mount Princeton geothermal project was very complete, not too positively biased. I appreciated learning about the rebate and grant programs offered by the local energy companies. I think my organization may be able to profit from sending me to the meeting! It was great to meet Joanie from the Governor’s Energy Office. She shared info about a grant program for small hydro systems that I hope to participate in. Thank you for all the help.
Casey Kleinhenz
As the number of residents and visitors to Chaffee County continue to increase, we need to focus on sustainable transportation options that will preserve the community character and natural beauty while improving our transportation systems. Solutions need to not only improve the current transportation systems, but also need to look forward to a time when regional trails, paths, transit and potentially rail can connect downtown areas and regional activity nodes. We should emphasize alternative means of transportation and ensure our communities do not focus on auto oriented thoroughfares.
Lisa Malde
We are very successful as a Bed and Breakfast due in large part to our commitment to Renewables and Sustainability. I would like to see the CCVB included in this project from the beginning.
We need to use our “greenness” as a part of the Tourism marketing mix, both planned and completed, and then make any public projects “visitor friendly” so that they can see, understand and learn from our work. Signage, storyboards and flyers work.
We feature our plans and successes on our website and at least 75% of our guests say that they chose us because they are interested in seeing our systems and learning more about the how, what and why of “Green”
Thanks,
William McQueen
The greenest building is one that has already been built. Recently, there have been two scrape offs of historic buildings in Buena Vista. Both could have added tremendously to the overall character of the town with an adaptive reuse.
Melanie Roth
