Partner Events
LPEA Quarterly Renewables Generation Meeting
Feb 1, 9-10 a.m.
LPEA Multi-purpose room
45 Stewart Street
More info here
Regional Housing Alliance (RHA)
Feb. 8 and Feb 11th: Monthly homebuyers class, one section of which will highlight ways to save energy and money on your home once you've purchased it.
|
LPEA Decreases Cost of Green Power
Your business can be powered by renewable energy- now for even less! The premium to purchase Green Power credits through La Plata Electric Association (LPEA), which supports electricity generated from renewable resources, has dropped to $0.08 (8 cents) per 100 kilowatt hour (kWh) block from $0.10 (10 cents) per 100 kWh block, effective January 1, 2012.
|
Electronic Atlas Maps U.S. Renewable Energy Resources
A new geospatial application developed by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) allows users to easily and accurately map potential renewable energy resources in the United States.
The interactive tool, RE Atlas, is free to use and available here.
|
Giving Warmth this Winter
Your donation goes toward supporting 4CORE's community services, including programs that will help keep Southwest Colorado residents warm:
|
Give to Good
Every time you search the internet or shop online using GivetoGood.com, a donation is made to 4CORE.
Click here to get started!
|
|
Join Our Mailing List!
Energy News you Can Use is published monthly
|
Thank you
to our Partners! 
|
|
|
|
Resource News You Can Use
|
This month we are focusing on the work place. With the pilot launch of our Resource Smart Business Program, we are helping three businesses in our area to assess their energy, water, and human resources, make positive changes, and recognize their achievements.
Though this program is not yet available to all area businesses, this month's enews edition focuses on improvements you can take to your work place to decrease energy use, save money (that could be YOUR salary!), and improve the health of you and your co-workers.
Read on to learn more!
|
Did You Know?
Tips to Reduce Work Place Energy Consumption
- Get an energy audit to identify the most cost effective upgrades
- Turn of unnecessary equipment when not in use (computers, printers, lights) and don't leave equipment on standby mode. They continue to us up to 70% of normal power consumption, even when not in use.
- Purchase energy efficiency rated equipment when replacing items.
- Ensure built in energy saving software is activated. A screen saver is not a power saver.
- Switch computers off when not being used. Even switching a monitor off over breaks prevents excessive heat build up in a room.
- Automate lighting with timers and motion detectors
- Upgrade interior and exterior lighting
- Use programmable thermostats
- Reward staff who save the organization energy
Learn more here
|
Resource Smart Business Program
Pilot Program Launched in January
 This month 4CORE is facilitating the launch of the Resource Smart Business Program (RSBP) pilot. The RSBP is a voluntary six-step certification program that helps businesses increase their competitive advantage by decreasing their resources consumption. The goal of this program is to help 30 businesses in La Plata County become "resource smart" by conducting three assessments: an energy audit on their facility, a Worksite Wellness Assessment, and a Sustainability Competency Opportunities and Reporting Evaluation ( S-CORE™). Assessments are followed by a report for each participating business, rebates to help businesses implement recommended measures, employee evaluation, and recognition once businesses make positive resource changes. This program is an incredible collaboration between multiple area organizations, including 4CORE, SWConnect, Healthy Lifestyle La Plata, Fort Lewis College Environmental Center, Local First, and LPEA. The program is funded through grants from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Governor's Energy Office. Stay tuned to learn who the three pilot businesses are, watch their progress through the program, and find out how your La Plata County business can get involved in the future.
|
Bringing your Business to the Top
 Consider this- companies and agencies that are leaders in sustainability are leading stock performance by an average of 25%. Sustainability boosts brand integrity, reduces risk, and decreases costs. DuPont and NASCAR are examples of successful sustainability efforts, and here is why:
By using sustainable practices, these companies have a competitive advantage through brand enhancement and increased employee productivity. Workers feel good about working for a company that prioritizes their health and well-being, consumers feel good about buying from them because of their sustainable practices, their energy costs are decreased, and all of this increases their top line.
Read more here on DuPont and NASCAR's sustainability efforts. Also, DuPont's sustainability report. Finally, the U.S. Army has achieved net zero at Fort Carson (in Colorado Springs, just over the mountains from us!). Shouldn't we all be marching to the same tune?
Find this and other entries on 4CORE's Energy to Evolve Blog.
|
Town of Silverton Joins 4CORE
Town and County Working to Reduce Energy Costs
The Town of Silverton is looking into reducing building operation costs for the Town Hall, which was recently retrofitted with two propane boilers. Silverton and San Juan County are participating in the Energy Management Assistance Program (EMAP) with Trident Energy and the Governor's Energy Office.
This year, Silverton supported 4CORE by contributing funds that will enable 4CORE to continue resource conservation work. 4CORE thanks Silverton for this contribution!
If you are interested in supporting 4CORE programs and projects, click here.
|
|
Challenge Question
What is the most cost-effective change that could be made to a commercial building to make it more energy efficient?
Send responses and win an energy saving prize!
Last month's Question and Answer:
What is the average efficiency of modern wood stoves?
The answer is:
63-78%. Some new boilers are up to 90% efficient!
|
|
As always, if you have any feedback or questions about becoming more energy efficient, please contact us. |
|
|
