Weatherization technician Ruben Avalos is covered in cobwebs and cellulose after insulating the attic of home owned by 93 year-old client in Golden, Colorado, June 14, 2010
June 15, 2010
Insulation is Not Sexy
April 19, 2010
Heavy Traffic at Recharge Colorado Causing Detours
Colorado’s one stop shop for energy efficiency and renewable energy rebates is experiencing heavy traffic just after the 8 am launch. The site has posted a DETOUR page limiting access to the entire site stating “Due to the heavy volume of traffic, some sections of the Governor’s Energy Office website have been taken offline in order to allow the most direct access to information and reservations on available rebates”.
The DETOUR page offers a direct link to the appliance rebates, but Even the link to Appliance rebates link is overwhelmed, so it will take persistence to get through to the rebate reservation page. Tammy Giesick Crouteau commented on the GEO Facebook page that she was entering rebate information when she received a server down message and could not get bak into the system.
Heather McKinnon says she got through to a telephone operator who seemed “veeeery frazzled”, but got her rebate request processed before her line went dead.
The GEO’s facebook page advice says to refresh your browser if the appliance rebate link does not work. The appliance rebates are predicted to go quickly and must be reserved at the website or by telephone at 800-462-0184 before purchase.
http://www.rechargecolorado.com
March 17, 2010
GEO Renewable Energy Rebates to Require Energy Audit
Rebates from the Colorado state energy program will require a walkthrough energy audit by BPI or RESNET certified energy auditor beginning April 19, 2010.
US Weatherizing, a Denver based building performance contractor, is offering special pricing on energy audits by our BPI certified Building Analyst Professional for renewable energy contractors working in metro Denver.
Our complete walk-through energy audit is only $79 after $50 GEO audit rebate. Limited availability, call today. 303-339-0878
March 5, 2010
Obama’s Green Jobs Road Tour Visits Smart Grid Tech Company
President Obama continued to promote his jobs push and green economy goals during a press conference Friday from Opower, a smart-grid software company in Arlington, VA. He went on to announce that he has signed the latest jobs bill to extend unemployment benefits and offer tax breaks to employers who hire unemployed workers. Opower expects to hire 100 new employees this year.
Opower software helps consumers track energy use so they can mange home energy use by giving them a dashboard of energy use data. He related Opower’s work to the proposed Home Star program to spur job growth as home owners have homes upgraded with energy efficiency measures.
“The country that leads in clean energy today will lead the global economy tomorrow” said Mr. Obama. “Lets see if we can replicate Opower’s sucess across the country.”
February 26, 2010
Public Hearing on WX Subgrantees March 5
Public Hearing On Proposed Selection of New Subgrantees
Pursuant to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) guiding regulations for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), the GEO WX a number of public hearings will be held to receive comments on the proposed selection of new subgrantees. On March 5, 2010 from 9am-11am the GEO WX will hold a public hearing to receive testimony on its new complementary service model that is intended to bolster weatherization capacity throughout the state. The hearing will take place at the Legislative Services Building in the Audit Hearing Room located at 200 East 14th Ave. For more information about the hearing, proposed plan or to submit written comments please contact:
Mail to:
overnor’s Energy Office
Attn: Kate Drexler/Public Hearing Comments 10.A
1580 Logan St, Suite 100
Denver, CO 80203
February 24, 2010
Home Star Will Boost Jobs Says DC Think Tank
New Report from Center for American Progress Supports Home Star Initiative:
As the nation struggles to recover from one of the worst economic recessions in decades, unemployment has recently shown some marginal improvement, falling below 10 percent in January. But for workers in the construction and construction-related manufacturing sectors, there is little relief as jobless rates remain at near-Depression levels.
Total construction payroll employment has fallen by 2.1 million since 2006, with residential construction jobs down 38 percent and the jobless rate among experienced construction workers stuck at nearly 25 percent. Overall manufacturing employment has dropped 16 percent since the recession began in December 2007, but for manufacturing tied to construction the numbers are far worse: 30 percent in wood products, 22 percent in items such as window glass and fiberglass insulation, and 19 percent in fabricated metals and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment. With credit still tight and the housing industry still in the doldrums, waiting for market forces to spur a recovery in construction could condemn hundreds of thousands of American families to years of continued economic struggle.
Fortunately, help is on the horizon. This week a bill establishing a HOME STAR program of consumer rebates for home energy efficiency retrofits will be introduced in the Senate thanks to the leadership of Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), among others. Concerned members of Congress, with the Obama administration’s support, have crafted an incentive program to make millions of U.S. homes more energy efficient, swiftly create 168,000 jobs in construction and manufacturing among other industries, save homeowners nearly $10 billion over a decade through lower energy costs, and make a dent in global warming pollution.
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/02/home_star_back_to_work.html
January 11, 2010
GEO Announces Stimulus Block Grants for Rural Colorado
From Todd Hartman, 303.866.2262, todd.hartman@state.co.us
GOV. RITTER ANNOUNCES RECOVERY ACT ENERGY PARTNERSHIPS FOR COLORADO COMMUNITIES
Gov. Bill Ritter today announced that 18 community partners across Colorado have received grants totaling $2.2 million to develop local strategies for saving energy and creating jobs in the state’s rural, agricultural and mountainous regions.
“We’re excited to see champions for the New Energy Economy on the ground in these local communities, working closely with citizens, businesses and governments to help them save money, create jobs and increase our energy security,” Gov. Ritter said. “These grants will give regions across the state opportunities to focus on how they can benefit from energy efficiency and conservation.”
The grants, awarded by the Governor’s Energy Office, are funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and will fund local community energy coordinators (CECs) to drive efforts helping towns, counties, residents and businesses become more energy efficient. The CEC positions will be administered by local organizations, including non-profits, utilities, councils of governments, counties and higher education institutions.
The CECs will work across government boundaries, helping obtain energy-related grants, developing local strategies and identifying the best energy efficiency opportunities for specific jurisdictions. Most will be responsible for work in multiple cities and counties. A coordinator will work in both Grand and Jackson counties, for example. Another will build efforts across Elbert, Lincoln, Kit Carson and Cheyenne counties. The grants range from $50,000 to $265,000 depending on the size of the population served. They are intended to pay staffing costs for 24 to 30 months.
“Grand County Business Economic Development Association (BEDA) looks forward to working with the Governor’s Energy Office to implement efforts to save energy, reduce energy bills and create jobs,” said Rebecca McBride, director of BEDA. “The organization is excited to work with Grand and Jackson counties to bring the economic benefits of sustainable energy strategies to local businesses and our communities.”
Pueblo County commissioners said in a statement that the grant dollars “will enable Pueblo County to build on our many past sustainability efforts and develop a new comprehensive energy plan for Pueblo County. We anticipate that this project will help us attract new jobs and energy-related industries to our community and southern Colorado.”
The grant dollars come from $9.5 million allocated to the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) under the Recovery Act-funded Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program. The GEO will be providing further EECBG dollars for additional community-based energy efficiency efforts in the first half of 2010.
The U.S. Department of Energy has also directly allocated $42.6 million in EECBG funds to Colorado’s 20 largest cities and 10 largest counties. Those communities, including high population centers on the Front Range and Western Slope, received totals ranging from $6 million (Denver) to $172,000 (Parker), based on population formulas. The last of those dollars were provided to Colorado communities in late 2009.
The EECBG recipients and contacts under the GEO’s community energy coordinator grant program
Logan, Morgan, Washington, Phillips, Sedgwick, Yuma; Coordinator: Colorado State University Extension Service. Amount: $220,000. Contact: Joanne Littlefield, CSU Extension, 970-491-4640; Jim Beers, CSU public and community relations, 970-491-6401.
Elbert, Lincoln, Kit Carson, Cheyenne; Coordinator: East Central Colorado RC&D. Amount: $120,000. Contact: Doris King, Secretary/Treasurer, town of Flagler, 719-765-4571.
Baca, Bent, Kiowa, Prowers, Otero, Crowley; Coordinator: Southeast Colorado RC&D; Amount: $155,000; Contact: Misty George, misty.george@co.nacdnet.net, 719-529-0577
Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande, Saguache; Coordinator: CSU Extension Service; Amount: $150,000; Contact: Joanne Littlefield, CSU Extension, 970-491-4640; Jim Beers, CSU public and community relations, 970-491-6401.
Archuleta, Dolores, LaPlata, Montezuma, San Juan; Coordinator: Four Corners Office of Resource Efficiency (4CORE); Amount: $265,000; Contact: Aileen Tracy, aileen@fourcore.org, 970-259-1916, ext. 6.
Custer, Fremont; Coordinator: CSU Extension Service; Amount: $155,000; Contact: Joanne Littlefield, CSU Extension, 970-491-4640; Jim Beers, CSU public and community relations, 970-491-6401.
Huerfano, Las Animas; Coordinator: Southern Colorado Council of Governments; Amount: $85,000; Contact: Priscilla “Pete” Fraser, SCCOG, pfraser@sccog.org, 719-845-1133 ext. 216.
Delta, Montrose; Coordinator: Delta Montrose Electric Association; Amount: $200,000; Contact: Tom Polikalas, DMEA, public.relations@dmea.com, 970-240-1245.
Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt; Coordinator: Yampa Valley Partners; Amount: $120,000; Contact: Katherine Nowak, YVP, kate@yampavalleypartners.com, 970-824-1133.
Gunnison, Hinsdale; Coordinator: Office for Resource Efficiency (ORE); Amount: $65,000; Contact: Maya Silver, ORE, maya@resourceefficiency.org, 970-349-9673.
Ouray, San Miguel; Coordinator: The New Communities Coalition; Amount: $65,000; Contact: Kris Holstrom, coordinator.tncc@gmail.com, 970-728-1340,
Grand, Jackson; Coordinator: Grand County Business and Economic Development Association; Amount: $60,000; Contact: Liz McIntyre, mcinliz@aol.com or Becky McBride, Rebecca_McBride@comcast.net
Clear Creek, Gilpin; Coordinator: CSU Extension Service; Amount: $60,000; Contact: Joanne Littlefield, CSU Extension, 970-491-4640; Jim Beers, CSU public and community relations, 970-491-6401.
Lake, Park, Summit; Coordinator: High Country Conservation Center; Amount: $150,000; Contact: Carly Wier, executive director, carly@highcountryconservation.org, 970-668-5703.
Pueblo; Coordinator: Pueblo County; Amount: $150,000; Contact: Fran McClave, Pueblo County Community Development Specialist, mcclave@co.pueblo.co.us, 719-583-4594.
Pitkin; Coordinator: Pitkin County; Amount: $45,000; Contact: Dylan Hoffman, Dylan.Hoffman@co.pitkin.co.us, 970-429-2897.
Chaffee; Coordinator: Chaffee County; Amount: $50,000; Contact: Bob Christiansen, bchristiansen@chaffeecounty.org, 719-530-5560.
Eagle; Coordinator: Eagle County; Amount: $125,000; Contact: Adam Palmer, Adam.Palmer@eaglecounty.us.
Teller; Coordinator: Teller County; Amount: $50,000; Contact: Mona Newton, mona.newton@state.co.us, 303-809-0379.
###
Todd Hartman, Media Relations Manager
Governor’s Energy Office
1580 Logan Street, Suite 100
Denver, CO 80203
P: (303) 866-2262
C: (303) 513-3639
F: (303) 866-2930
Todd.Hartman@state.co.us
www.colorado.gov/energy
January 8, 2010
Posts from GreenBuildingAdvisor.com
Knock-Knock, ClimateSmart Calling!
Leaders of the carbon reduction effort in Boulder, Colorado, want to jump start energy efficiency improvements among homeowners by going door-to-door
Many homeowners have at least considered weatherizing and otherwise improving the energy efficiency of their homes. But for a variety of reasons (I’ve got my list of excuses right here) they haven’t managed to cross the threshold into action.
Weatherization: Low-Cost, High-Return Energy Upgrades
Each year, Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC) uses state funding to weatherize about 100 homes. On this 100-year-old two-story home, and others like it, weatherization crews have performed a variety of diagnostic tests and implemented low-cost, high-return strategies for improving overall energy efficiency - without extensive modifications.
This 2,500-square-foot home is typical for the area but larger than many of the houses in NEICAC’s program. The work done on this house reduced air leakage by almost 50%.
Minnesota Retrofit Program’s Popularity Exceeds Funding
Confusion and delays may have encumbered the launches of stimulus-funded weatherization and other energy efficiency programs in a few states, but there are publicly funded retrofit programs out there that have gotten off the dime quickly and become more popular than anticipated.
December 15, 2009
GEO ARRA Energy Audit Rebates Proposed
The GEO held a webinar today with energy audit professionals to discuss proposed ARRA funded GEO rebates for 2010. They expect to offer a 40% rebate up to $100. They are reconsidering whether to rebate the Xcel-subsidized energy audits that are already below market at $90 to $120.
The program will not roll out until first quarter of 2010 and may change based on feedback received from professionals today.
Proposed GEO/ARRA Insulation & Air Sealing Rebates
The Governor’s Energy Office held a webinar for Insulation and Air Sealing Contractors yesterday to outline the proposed 2010 rebates funded by the ARRA stimulus dollars.
Thad Kurowski in the residential programs dept at GEO said there would be a $400 statewide rebate that is capped at $600 total when combined with local or utility rebates. Insulation is required to meet the 2009 IECC for the local climate zone and rebates must be reserved in writing before work begins. The program will not launch until 2010 and is subject to change.
The program outlined does not include any requirement for air sealing prior to insulation work and therefore, no blower door tests for building tightness. Kurowski said the GEO could implement requirements for air sealing before inslulation and we believe this should be a mandatory component before adding insulation.
Building air-tightness is a primary energy efficiency strategy that is typically overlooked by insulation contractors. Air sealing must be completed before adding attic insulation and requires use of a blower door to direct air sealing work, meaure effectiveness and ensure indoor air quality is maintained.
Concerns or suggestions about the program can be directed to his office at thad.kurowski@state.co.us