CEAP Update 
Plan Delivered to La Plata County, City of Durango, and Town of Ignacio.
4CORE has completed the facilitation role they were commissioned to conduct in the La Plata Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP) process. The document has been finalized and submitted to our elected officials. The CEAP recommends forty-two potential actions that our community can take to reduce GHG emissions. The decision to pursue implementation of the CEAP will fall to our elected officials.
This is the culmination of a large effort that was conducted over two-and-a-half years, involving more than 100 volunteers who contributed 10,000 plus hours of time.
For more information on the CEAP, visit the web page, or contact amanda@fourcore.org.
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Congratulations Baker Sanitation! Baker Sanitation, Inc., locally owned and based in Cortez, received a grant through the Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity Act. The grant program (RREO Grant Program) seeks to promote economic development through recyclable material management. Baker plans to use the funds received to purchase a recycling collection truck, to fund six-yard and thirty-yard recycling bins to place in communities for recycling collection, as well as to promote and advertise their recycling program. |
Energy To Evolve Blog Another Happy Weatherization Client Tavia Widder, age 68, lives in Durango, Colorado. Her only source of income is her Social Security payment of $1,000 per month. Up until May 2011, her main source of heat was an extremely dangerous old pellet stove that once burned out of control and had to be extinguished by the local fire department. After the incident, Ms. Widder spent $1,000 of her own limited income trying to have the pellet stove repaired to no avail.
Rather than risk burning down her home, Ms. Widder endured the winter months of December, January and February with no heat source. Her home became an icebox, with temperatures hovering between 49 and 59 degrees Fahrenheit. To stay warm in her living room, Ms. Widder donned two pairs of long underwear, two pairs of sweatpants and sweatshirts, fleece-lined winter boots, a warm hat, a heavy wool winter coat and wrapped herself in a blanket. The cold temperatures didn't help the arthritis in Ms. Widder's hands.
Read more on our blog Energy to Evolve |
Thank you Coalition Partners! 
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Greetings!
Things are in transition around 4CORE. We have new board members joining the team and have said goodbye to our founding Executive Director, Aileen Tracy. In addition, we have delivered the La Plata Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP) to the La Plata County Commissioners, Durango City Council, and Ignacio Town Board!
4CORE just recently wrapped up another great year for our Weatherization Program. Be sure to check out our blog to read about a happy weatherization client!
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4CORE Moving Forward
Welcoming New Board Members
4CORE would like to announce and welcome the following new Board Members:
- Dan Stalker - Architect
- Shannon South - Dean, Southwest Community College
- Bruce Baizal - Earthworks, Rancher
- Rebecca Kauffman - Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund, Alternative Energy
We would also like to say thank you to our outgoing Board Members:
- Chad Tidwell - Outgoing Board Chair
- Ed Zink - Outgoing Board Vice-Chair
- Brad Broyles - Outgoing Treasurer
For more information, please contact info@fourcore.org.
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Recharge Colorado Update
 Latest and Greatest on Rebates Appliance Rebates Status in SW Colorado: OPEN
The Recharge Colorado appliance rebate program reopened on 5/25/2011. As of 6/24/2011, there is $54,725 remaining. The program offers rebates for ENERGY STAR® appliances, including clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, storage water heaters and boilers. Please review all rebate details prior to purchase as not all ENERGY STAR® appliances qualify. For more information, visit www.RechargeColorado.com or call 1-800-462-0184. There is also a real time ticker of available funds located here: http://rebate.rechargecolorado.com/Appliancechoice.aspx
Energy Efficiency Rebates
Status in SW Colorado: OPEN Counties in SW Colorado have funding available to their residents for Insulation & Air Sealing and Furnaces. Energy audits, duct sealing, energy monitors, and ENERGY STAR® Homebuilder Programs are open statewide. Funding for insulation and air sealing rebates is also available to San Miguel Power Association customers. Renewable Energy Rebate Program Change Status in SW Colorado: WAITLIST STATEWIDE, Partner funds still available Here are the details for each category of renewable energy rebates: Residential PV Funds Remaining
Delta Montrose Electric Association: $49,100
Highline Electric: $45,000
Residential Solar Thermal Funds Remaining
Colorado Springs Utility: $124,975
Fort Collins Utility: $16,950
Residential Wind Funds Remaining
Colorado Springs Utility: $100,560
Commercial Solar Thermal Funds Remaining
Colorado Springs Utility: $145,000
Fort Collins Utility: $19,950
Commercial Wind Funds Remaining
Colorado Springs Utility: $114,000
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Partnering with Empire Electric
Highlighting a 4CORE Coalition Partner
"We're serious about energy efficiency. That's why Empire Electric Association (EEA) and 4CORE are coalition partners. As a member-owned rural electric cooperative, we think it's a good fit to partner with an organization whose mission is to advance resource efficiency." -Bobbe Jones, EEA Assistant Member Services Manager
EEA has been encouraging its members to practice energy efficiency and energy conservation for many years and offers several programs to achieve that goal. The Energy Efficiency Credit Program is a favorite with members who receive money back for purchasing energy efficient appliances, electric hot water heaters, electric motors, commercial lighting replacements, electric heat pumps and more. EEA also offers renewable energy programs including the Green Power Program and an opportunity to lease the newly installed photovoltaic panels in the Solar Assist Cooperative Garden.
Both voluntary renewable programs allow members to support renewable energy without expensive installation costs or the hassle of maintenance on a system. If you would like more information about energy efficiency programs offered by EEA, please call EEA at 970-565-4444 or visit their website at http://www.eea.coop/.
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Weatherization Update
Contract Renewed after 200+ Units Complete
On June 30th, the 4CORE Weatherization Program had an End-of-Grant Cycle crew appreciation at T's Smokehouse and Grill. All subcontracted weatherization crews, energy auditors, 4CORE staff and board, and their families were invited to celebrate another year of a job well done with over 200 homes weatherized!
During the 2010-2011 grant cycle which ended June 30th, 4CORE weatherized 209 homes, including 20 multifamily units. That brings us to 312 units total in the last 2 years! 4CORE partners with the Governor's Energy Office, Housing Solutions for the Southwest, Southwest Conservation Corp, and Big Al's Insulating. The Weatherization Program has created 5 full-time staff positions and 2 part-time positions at 4CORE, as well as subcontractor jobs.
Based on the US Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program, the average annual savings total $413 per weatherized household. Therefore, 4CORE helped residents save $128, 856/year in utility bills via weatherization services this grant cycle! Since weatherization measures are intended to last 15 years on mobile homes and 20 years on site build homes, the savings will greatly add up over the lifespan of the work!
Thank you to all of our partnering agencies and subcontractors. This collaborative approach is making this great work possible.
More information on the Weatherization Assistance Program
 -Celebrating the Americorps weatherization team at the end-of-grant cycle party |
Newsletter Challenge Question 
Modern combustion appliances for space and water heating are vastly more efficient than old ones. List three ways the modern combustion appliances achieve these higher efficiencies.
The first person to correctly answer this question will win an energy saving prize from 4CORE. Prizes and winners to be announced in next month's newsletter. Send responses by July 20th!
Last Month's Question:
Explain the difference between R value and U value? Why are windows rated for their U value?
The Answer is...
R-value is the measure of thermal resistance, whereas U-value is the measure of how well a building element conducts heat.
R-values and U-values are reciprocals. In other words, you can divide 1 by R-value to get a U-value, and vice verse. In the case of a window thermal radiation is a very significant part of a window systems insulating equation.
The Winner is...
Charlie Kiene!
The winner should stop by the 4CORE office for your free Energy Conservation Kit!
Get your answers in quickly to win!
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As always, if you have any feedback or questions about how to become more energy efficient, please contact us. |
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