Efficient energy to take spotlight

Fort Collins to be among honorees at conference

By Gargi Chakrabarty, Rocky Mountain News
June 4, 2005

Fort Collins Utilities was the first utility in Colorado, and among the first in the nation, to install a voluntary wind power program for customers in 1998.

Since then, the city-owned utility has made more progress. In March 2003, the City Council adopted a policy for the utility to produce 15 percent of its energy from wind, sun, plant and animal waste by 2017.

That provided a huge boost to its nascent wind power program, which until two years ago accounted for a little over 2 percent of its total electricity supply.

To recognize the city's efforts, the Colorado Renewable Energy Society will give Fort Collins Mayor Doug Hutchinson a special merit award during its annual conference June 9-11.

"The focus of the conference is to educate the community about renewable energy technologies and policies," said Renee Azerbegi, president of the society. "There also is focus on sustainable buildings and energy-efficiency programs."

The conference, which will be attended by the mayors of Boulder, Lakewood and Carbondale, is expected to draw 200 to 300 people to Fort Collins.

The city also has led the way in constructing energy-efficient or "green" buildings. An example is the Harmony Library, which serves Fort Collins and Front Range Community College.

The $3 million library uses plenty of daylight and energy- saving table and floor lamps, consuming roughly 40 percent less energy than a comparable new building in Fort Collins and saving nearly $12,000 in annual operating costs.

Azerbegi said New Belgium Brewery - maker of Fat Tire Amber Ale beer and also in Fort Collins - will receive an award for its role in promoting wind power.

In 1999, it became the largest private consumer of wind power with its commitment to buy the equivalent of the brewery's electricity use from wind power.

Rick Gilliam of Western Resource Advocates, who wrote the first draft of Amendment 37, also will receive an award. The amendment, which voters approved in November 2004, directs utilities to obtain a portion of their electricity from the sun, wind, or plant and animal waste.

Beginning with 3 percent in 2007, utilities must obtain up to 10 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2015.

The utilities cannot charge their residential customers more than 50 cents a month to comply with the law.

chakrabartyg@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-2976