Company offers solar grants
Local nonprofits can get a little greener while managing to save some green.

Last week, Shaw Solar launched its new solar grant program for local nonprofits. The program is open to nonprofits in La Plata and Montezuma counties seeking partial funding for solar photovoltaic system installations.

“Over the last few years, we’ve donated a number of large PV systems, including arrays at the Discovery Museum and a Habitat for Humanity duplex,” Shaw Solar’s John Shaw said. “But this year, we thought we could really expand the program and get solar on more roofs by awarding grants.”

Shaw said since the company started in 2005, it has been allocating a portion of profits for solar grants each year. However, this year, he decided to formalize the process by asking nonprofits to apply for the funding. He said the goal is to offer more predictable energy costs to nonprofits, which will help to improve their long-term viability and budgeting.

“Our program will enable nonprofits to really benefit from a commercial-grade solar system, that will help fix their energy costs well into the future,” he said.

Nonprofits need not own their buildings to qualify. However, organizations must be registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Depending on system size, available funding and the nonprofit’s needs, grants will be between 50 percent to 100 percent of the system cost. Funding is limited, and priority will be given to nonprofits able to raise matching funds either through other grants, fund-raisers, private donors or general operating funds. Application deadline is June 1.

For an application, go to www.shawsolar.com. For more information, e-mail info@shawsolar.com.

Monument restoration resumes
As winter recedes, crews will pick up where they left off last year in eliminating rogue trails and resource damage in Canyons of the Ancients Monument, west of Cortez.

Last year, crews began eliminating 31 miles of redundant routes that caused habitat fragementation and damage to sensitive areas. The work will rehabilitate these disturbed areas, and minimize soil erosion, water contamination and loss of forage for domestic and wild animals. Cultural resources will also be protected by restricting motorized and mechanized travel to designated routes in the 164,000-acre monument, which is overseen by the Bureau of Land Management. The monument is one of the richest archaeological areas in the United States, with more than 6,000 documented Ancestral Puebloan sites.

The route modifications were specified in the monument’s 2010 Travel Management Plan, which incorporated eight years of public input. BLM staff, Southwest Conservation Corps crews and private contractors will work through early 2013 to block and reseed old routes, post signs and install gates.

Monument manager Marietta Eaton said so far the plan has been working. “The work that was completed last year with natural barriers camouflaged the trails so well that most people didn’t realize that a route existed,” she said. “We look forward to seeing the benefits to the routes that were closed last year as well as the work throughout 2012.”

Originally, 194 miles of routes were inventoried for consideration in the Travel Management Plan; 178 of which were accessible to vehicles. When work is completed this year, 147 miles of routes will remain open to motorized use. Cross country travel will still be open to foot and horse except in the Sand Canyon/Rock Creek areas, where travel is restricted to foot, bike or horse on designated trails only.

EPA gives OK to state’s haze plan
After almost four years, a federally mandated clean air plan for Colorado is about to see the light of day.

Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency gave preliminary approval to a state plan to reduce haze in Colorado’s national parks and wilderness areas. If approved, Colorado’s Regional Haze State Implementation Plan would significantly reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and other pollutants.

Now in its second revision since work began in 2007, the plan’s latest installment was the result of a broad, bipartisan coalition of stakeholders and elected officials.

“This marks a significant endorsement of Colorado’s plan aimed at improving public health, increasing visibility and reducing haze in our great national parks and wilderness areas, which drive so much of Colorado’s tourism and recreation economy,” said Senator Michael Bennet. “I am pleased that the EPA has recognized the broad support for this plan, from conservation groups to electric utilities to both houses of the State Legislature.”

Since regional haze and visibility problems do not respect state and tribal boundaries, in 1999, the EPA added the Regional Haze Rule to the Clean Air Act, requiring states to come up with their own plans to combat the problems. The rule applies to all “Federal Class I” areas of which there are 12 in Colorado, including Mesa Verde National Park, the Weminuche Wilderness Area and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

In the West, visual range has decreased from an average of 140 miles to 35-90 miles. Although Colorado has some of the best visibility in the West, it also has a number of areas where visibility is impaired due to pollution.

In addition to clouding the view, haze-forming pollutants are also linked to health problems, including respiratory illness and premature death. They also contribute to acid deposition in lakes, rivers and streams, killing aquatic life and vegetation. The same acid can also erode everything from paint to buildings and bridges.

“Air pollution in Colorado’s iconic national parks and wilderness areas puts at risk not only the health and enjoyment of our state’s special places – but also the people who depend on recreation and tourism for their livelihoods,” Senator Mark Udall said. “I’m extremely thankful for the work of the broad, bipartisan group.”

The federal visibility regulations entail a multi-phased process to determine existing impairment; remedy such impairment; and restore visibility by the year 2064. States must include a monitoring strategy, address existing pollution sources; work to prevent future pollution; and address “Best Available Retrofit Technology” (BART). Furthermore, all plans must be reviewed every five years.

– Missy Votel