Aspen rethinks energy efficiency
ASPEN – Can Aspen use less electricity? Sure, say experts, who describe energy efficiency and conservation as the “vegetables” that should be consumed before the dessert of renewable energy.

But like broccoli, many people would just as soon not become energy efficient.

That’s the policy conundrum Aspen city officials now find themselves in after a defeat at the ballot box in November. The story really starts in 2005, when the city government issued a climate change manifesto called the Canary Initiative. Among other goals, the plan identified a 2015 deadline for producing all of the electricity distributed to consumers of Aspen Electric from renewable sources. That includes about two-thirds of the electricity used in the town.

In achieving that goal, Aspen had a giant head start, due to several decisions made in the 1980s and 1990s to reduce dependence on coal. With further purchases of wind-generated power, the utility is now 75 percent divorced from coal and natural gas. Retrofitting of an existing dam between Telluride and Montrose to produce electricity will further push the utility to 89 percent.

But the low-hanging fruit was to have been replacement of a hydroelectric plant that was decommissioned 50 years ago. By diverting water from two local creeks, Castle and Maroon, the plant was projected to displace 8 percent of the electricity now produced by burning coal.

Although originally approved by voters in 2007, the hydro project ran into increasing opposition, in part because of perceived impacts to the creeks. By a narrow margin, Aspen voters in November denied the project.

While that vote did not formally demand an end to the project, council members agreed to reconsider. One argument is that instead of producing more electricity, Aspen needs to figure out how to do more with less.

The Aspen Daily News reports that the city is now talking about toughening up regulations, to demand greater efficiency. The city has had voluntary programs that offer incentives for businesses to reduce energy consumption, but the program has been largely ineffective, according to Phil Overeynder, the city utilities engineer.

Steve Barwick, the city manager, says regulations could be created, but it would be a long and difficult process. And Mayor Mick Ireland said he supports such regulations, but expects strong pushback from the community.

The Aspen Daily News reports that four people spoke in favor of greater efficiency. Ken Neubecker, who has broad expertise in water matters, said he believes it can work. “But, the problem with water is, they just don’t make any more of it,” he added.

New lifts in Whistler’s future
WHISTLER, B.C. – Owners of Whistler Blackcomb have pulled the trigger on an $18 million investment of two new lifts at the ski area.

Dave Brownlie, chief executive for the resort, told Whistler’s Pique Newsmagazine that it’s part of the strategy of the resort to grow business, which last year had 2.1 million winter visitors and 500,000 in summer.

“We’d like to get this place to over 3 million visitors in winter and summer,” he said. “There’s no question investments like these bring more people.”

Park City spreads the wealth
PARK CITY, UTAH – While Aspen continues to work diligently to hang onto the Winter X Games, Park City remains vigilant about its ties to the Sundance Film Festival.

The 11-day festival draws the international cinema crowd as well as film critics, not to mention Paris Hilton and her entourage. It fills up the town.

The Park Record says that town leaders would prefer that the festival was rescheduled, so that it didn’t overlap with Martin Luther King weekend.
 
But Sundance likes the current schedule, so that it can be the first major film festival of the year.

Yellowstone goes micro-hydro
MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. – A small hydroelectric plant has started operations at the northern gate to Yellowstone National Park. Park officials say the $1.1 million plant can deliver electricity equivalent to what is needed in 100 homes and will pay for itself in 12 years.

Unlike a hydroelectric plant proposed at Aspen, this system relies only on water already diverted from streams for treatment as drinking water. The power plant taps the energy of water as it travels more than 500 feet downhill.

The new plant will help Yellowstone reduce its carbon footprint. The National Park Service has set a goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions 15 percent by 2016, the centennial of the formation of the Park Service.

Bowling goes chic at Snowmass
SNOWMASS VILLAGE – What was once a movie theater, then a ballroom and conference center now will soon become a bowling alley, the first in the Aspen area.

Mark Reece tells the Aspen Daily News that he plans a boutique operation: eight lanes, gourmet food and comfy couches. Not any of those cheap plastic chairs at this joint.

South Lake Tahoe bags ban on plastic
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – South Lake Tahoe almost certainly will not join the 55 cities and five counties in California that have restricted the distribution of plastic shopping bags, reports the Tahoe Daily News.

The three elected officials at a recent municipal meeting all shared concerns about the effect of a ban, including the worry that reusable bags are hard to clean and can spread food borne illnesses.

However, a recent poll in nearby Truckee shows strong public support for a ban, says the Sierra Sun.
 
– Allen Best



 

In this week's issue...

January 25, 2024
Bagging it

State plastic bag ban is in full effect, but enforcement varies

January 26, 2024
Paper chase

The Sneer is back – and no we’re not talking about Billy Idol’s comeback tour.

January 11, 2024
High and dry

New state climate report projects continued warming, declining streamflows