News

TNCC LAUNCHES A NEW PHASE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY CONVERSATION AND REGIONAL LEADERSHIP

San Miguel County, Colorado (November 2, 2009) – The New Community Coalition (TNCC) announced the launch this week of the See Forever Community Leadership Program and called for a community effort to raise $30,000 in direct individual and business contributions to fund the program. See Forever is a regional leadership training program created to strengthen our community by facilitating the growth of leadership skills, community knowledge and working relationships throughout San Miguel County and the surrounding region.

“The goal of the program is to encourage and train future community leaders by providing them with useful knowledge, tools and skills to more effectively lead the governmental, nonprofit, and/or business organizations they work within,” said Kris Holstrom, executive director of TNCC.

Over the course of twelve months, these future leaders will attend class sessions, lectures and informational tours designed to provide knowledge and experience in leadership styles, negotiation and coalition building, change management and public communication. Participants will also learn fundamentals of issues and organizations that shape our greater community – the governmental bodies, non-profits, and key business organizations within San Miguel County and the surrounding region.

“See Forever is a community effort,” says Dave Johnson, See Forever committee member. “It is important that our community establishes ownership of this initiative through personal donations and commitments to the future of the region.”

The See Forever Community Leadership Program will be funded by local grants as well as generous donations from individuals and businesses in San Miguel County and the surrounding region. The See Forever Program Committee has set a community fundraising goal of $30,000 in direct contributions in addition to the anticipated grant funding to launch the program.

See Forever strives to present a balanced exploration of all sides of any issue through a diverse selection of participants, curriculum, speakers and instructors. Some of the instructors will be members of the regional community while others will be recognized experts selected to enrich local experience with new perspectives and ideas.

“It’s absolutely essential for our community that we act immediately to establish relationships throughout the community in order to bring about positive change in the region,” says Meehan Fee, See Forever committee member. “Instructors with expertise in leadership development, group dynamics, conflict management, communication, diversity, and community and economic development will facilitate these discussions.”

Program sessions have been designed to provide interaction between participants and the presenters and include opportunities for participants to practice project planning and public presentations in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.

“The See Forever Community Leadership Program has been carefully crafted based upon the traits of our community and the prior experience of many other leadership groups throughout the country,” says Walter Wright, See Forever committee member. “We hope that all who get involved with this program will use the knowledge gained to affect positive change in the San Miguel County Region.”

The concept of a regional leadership program is a follow up to last March’s presentation by Myles Rademan, an internationally renowned keynote speaker, who has worked with many in the region for years. Rademan founded Leadership Park City, now in its 15th year, the program on which See Forever is based. He has also served as an advisor during the program’s creation.

See Forever anticipates accepting participant applications in January 2010. Details about the application process will be announced once fundraising goals have been met. Participant selection criteria are designed to include a broad cross-section of the community: public and private sectors; regional coverage (including Rico, Ridgway, Norwood and the West End); and diversity in employment, income, age, cultural and ethnic perspectives.

After six years on Telluride Town Council, Councilmember Andrea Benda is thrilled to have been a part of this evolution of the program. In her view, See Forever is “one of the most exciting projects in which I've participated. It's a simple, direct way to grow leadership and community. This program may be just what we've been looking for.”

To find out more information or to donate to the program, please visit the See Forever Community Leadership Program’s website at www.seeforeverprogram.org, or call Dave Johnson at 708-9449 or Walter Wright at 728-3868.

Read more at...

"TNCC AND TELLURIDE INSTITUTE TEAM UP FOR FOREST HEALTH WORKSHOP"

San Miguel County, Colorado (September 24, 2009) – On Wednesday, September 30, at 6 p.m., the public is invited to talk forest and trees. Everything – from the big picture overview of the carbon system of trees to the role of forests locally – will be considered during the Forest Health and Community Carbon Connection program at the Wilkinson Public Library.

Primary speaker, Dr. Kevin Gurney, a part-time Telluride resident, is an associate professor of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and Agronomy at Purdue University and the assistant director of Purdue's Climate Change Research Center. What’s more, he is an expert advisor on the UN climate change treaty and a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that shared the Nobel Peace Prize along with Al Gore in 2007. Dr Gurney will take on the big topics and lend his vast knowledge to address local carbon issues with potential solutions.

Helen Rowe, another guest speaker, is an assistant research professor in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources and director of the Restoration Ecology Initiative at Purdue University and will be on-hand to introduce the soil health component.

"We hope this collaborative educational effort will raise awareness in the community and lead into development of a comprehensive community and/or watershed level energy plan" says Kris Holstrom, executive director of TNCC.

"Understanding the interrelated aspects of our ecological resources and human activities is essential as we move towards greater community resilience. We're thrilled to have people like Kevin Gurney and Helen Rowe as part of our community and are excited to begin the process of integrating what we do with where we live," added Holstrom.

The Forest Health and Community Carbon Connection is a free program presented by the Wilkinson Public Library, TNCC and the Telluride Institute. For more information, please contact Kris Holstrom at 728-1340.

“BAG CHALLENGE ENDS IN BASALT”

San Miguel County, Colorado (September 22, 2009) – The town of Basalt, CO wins the Colorado Association of Ski Towns (CAST) Reusable Bag Challenge, which came to end September 1.

Collectively, participating towns eliminated the consumption of an estimated 5.3-million single-use disposable bags.

“It’s been a great success,” says David Allen, the program’s creator. “The results are better then I projected, and the project has received some impressive attention. Media outlets have covered the CAST Challenge as far away as Italy!”

The CAST Reusable Bag Challenge was a competition between 31 mountain towns in the Western United States to encourage the use of reusable shopping bags and raise awareness of the economic, environmental, and social impacts of single-use shopping bags. The Challenge began on March 1st 2009 and the prize to the winning town is a solar panel installation on their public school. Alpine Bank and PCL Construction sponsored the voluntary program to the tune of $10,000 toward the solar panel installation.

Andrew Karow, Alpine Bank Regional President, has supported the initiative since its inception. “Alpine Bank congratulates the community of Basalt for their environmental stewardship, and we feel privilidged to be part of the effort to reduce the consumption of over 5 million plastic bags. As an environmental leader, we are very pleased to have played such an integral role in our Colorado community in this effort of plastic bag reduction.”

“Congratulations to Basalt on winning this years CAST Challenge. PCL Construction as a Mountain Contractor with a focus on green building practices (we were recently ranked #6 in the Top 100 Green Contractors by Engineering News Record Magazine) we wanted to lend support to the CAST Challenge. With our matching grant of $5,000 and handing out over 3,000 reusable bags to the local communities in Colorado over the summer we feel our efforts have helped make this year’s challenge a great success.” says Andy McCord, Mountain Division Manager with PCL.

In addition, Independent Power Systems of Boulder Colorado generously offered to provide the parts and labor for the solar panel system at cost. According to IPS, the combined cash amount and IPS’s contribution translates to a 1.5 kilowatt solar panel system on one of Basalts public schools. The specific location and date has not yet been determined.

“At IPS we work every day to improve the environment and we’re proud to be able to lend support to the CAST Challenge. We know that investing in the reduction and elimination of plastic bags will improve our quality of life and pay dividends far into the future” said Steve Schoo, Marketing Communications Director.

Since the competition began on March 1, participating stores have been responsible for tallying the use of every reusable bag used or purchased by a customer at checkout. Participating stores included Safeway, Walmart, King Supers, City Market, Clark’s Market, Ace Hardware, amongst others. The ‘winner’ was determined on a per capita basis by which community uses the most reusable bags during the six-month period.

Participating towns included Telluride, Aspen, Mountain Village, Snowmass Village, Basalt, Carbondale, Gunnison, Silverthorne, Dillon, Breckenridge, Frisco, Granby, Winter Park, Fraser, Avon, Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte, Durango, Eagle, Edwards, Estes Park, Grand Lake, Gypsum, Silverton, Steamboat Springs, Gunnison and Vail. Jackson Hole, WY, Park City, UT, Sun Valley, Ketchum, Hailey and Bellevue, also participated.

Winter Park, Fraser, and Granby, who competed together, took the runner-up position, while Summit County took third. A $1,000 cash award sponsored by Safeway will be issued to the runner-up and is tentatively planned to go towards the creation of a plastic bag-recycling program.

Environmental concern around issues such as litter and degradation of resources is the primary impetus behind the CAST Challenge. In the U.S alone, annual production of disposable grocery bags emits nearly 4 million tons of CO2-equivalent. An estimated 4 billion plastic bags worldwide end up as litter every year—enough that, tied end to end, the bags could circle the Earth 63 times.

Community activism and cost reduction are two other reasons the towns have deemed the use of disposable bags an important issue to address.

For more information, contact CAST Challenge organizer David Allen at (970) 708 7071, or dgallen2@gmail.com

“SUPREME COURT JUSTICE POURS TALL GLASS OF WATER EDUCATION”

Colorado Supreme Court Justice Gregory Hobbs pours a full day of water education.

San Miguel County, Colorado (September 14, 2009) –There are 326 million trillion gallons of water on Earth, though we may not always have access to clean drinking water. Reservoirs of the west are drying up while more people are calling the west home. Do you know where your drinking water comes from? Do you know where it will come from in ten, twenty, fifty years?

Water issues of the west are as legendary and turbulent as the rivers we depend on. Thanks to climate change; population growth; sprawl; and unsustainable practices, our water crisis is also as complicated as the river is long. John Wesley Powell, the premier 19th century thinker on the subject, warned against a rabid and unbridled development of the arid west. He proposed rigid and thoughtful development based on watersheds and responsible growth. All that in 1878.

But here we are. So what’s a concerned citizen to do? Consider the Water 101 Seminar, a one-day, tall glass of water education: Friday, September 25, 8:30a.m. – 5p.m. at Rebekah Hall in Telluride.

Representatives from federal, state, and local water agencies will provide basic education of water issues in the area. Save the bigger questions, like, is water the new oil?, for keynote speaker, Colorado Supreme Court Justice Gregory Hobbs.

Water 101 is sponsored by TNCC, San Juan Citizens Alliance, San Miguel Whitewater Association, Telluride Institute and the Water Information Program. The seminar qualifies for seven continuing education credits for lawyers and eight continuing credits for realtors. Register before September 18 and teh cost is $32. Late registration is $37. Fee includes lunch, snack and information packet. For more info, or to register, contactthe Water Information Program: 970-728-1302.

Hear the interview with Supreme Court Justice and keynote speaker Gregory Hobbs at...

"GREEN BUILDING TOUR TO FOCUS ON HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PROJECT "

San Miguel County, Colorado (September 11, 2009) – In addition to volunteer labor, a signature of Habitat for Humanity, the iconic organization known for building homes for low income families goes one step further, adhering to ENERGY STAR’s residential construction guidelines and encouraging U.S. affiliates to build ENERGY STAR qualified homes.

The first cluster of home projects of the Telluride Region chapter of Habitat for Humanity, a three bedroom residence in Norwood, proudly meets those standards and will be on display, as part of The New Community Coalition’s (TNCC) and Governor’s Energy Office ENERGY STAR and Green Building Tour: Thursday, September 17, from 11a.m. – 1p.m.

“This is a great opportunity for builders, realtors, teachers, officials and neighbors to witness how easy increasing energy savings and trimming your carbon footprint can be,” says Kim Wheels, TNCC energy specialist.

Meet at the site, 1520 Naturita Street, located near Clark’s Market in downtown Norwood. The second stop of the tour will showcase the recently completed Bus Barn, built to LEED certified standards.

The Green Building Tour aims to highlight Value Engineering Framing Techniques; aspects of insulation; GEO exchange HVAC system; LEED and ENERGY STAR standards.

Meet at the Happy Belly Deli for lunch specials and conversation afterward. For more information, reach Wheels at 970-728-5208.

"DARTMOUTH'S BIG GREEN BUD MAKES A TELLURIDE STOP DURING THEIR ANNUAL CROSS-COUNTRY ROAD TRIP"

The Bus will be on Colorado Ave, Monday from 11-3p.m.

The Big Green Bus: A Vehicle for Change

Taking the all-American road-trip to the next level, 15 Dartmouth College students embark on a cross-country summer adventure to educate America about sustainability and green living. Dartmouth’s Big Green Bus, once a rag-tag creation of the university’s engineering and ultimate Frisbee communities, is unveiling a coach bus specially-converted to run on waste vegetable oil. This year’s bus has been transformed into a state-of-the-art “green” mobile classroom for sustainable living, suited for the more than 40 educational stops planned across the country.

Building on the knowledge and success of four summers on the road, more than 45,000 miles traveled, and 5,500 gallons of waste vegetable oil used in place of diesel, the Big Green Bus team warmly welcomes Americans to check out the bus whenever they stop. Using renewable energy to power wi-fi on the bus, anyone can interact with the students in real time and participate online in the summer tour at www.changents.com/biggreenbus y, June 17, 2009.ddd stop of the tour is in Nyew rovide input you Newman'alleries, videos y a lot ()Af Ian seems to be of few ( where the crew will file regular story updates from the road such as blogs, podcasts, photos galleries, videos, Tweets, action opportunities and more.

“This year, the Bus interior will resemble a ‘green’ living room. We hope to connect with homeowners by presenting environmental and economic issues facing our society today, and how individual action can help mitigate these problems,” according to Merritt Jenkins, a member of Dartmouth’s Class of 2010 and co-general manager of the Big Green Bus. “From New York to San Francisco, we will be traveling the country helping Americans make energy conscious choices.”

Equipped with a specially-modified engine, solar panels, an interior completely constructed of sustainable materials, and a host of other innovative technologies, the bus is a classroom on wheels.

“I’m excited about putting to use all the new teaching tools we have this year to help the public learn about the energy issues facing our society,” said Marissa Knodel, a 2009 Dartmouth graduate and the Big Green Bus’s education director.

The bus serves as a science fair on wheels—a virtual exhibit for sustainable practices. With five key educational pillars in mind, the bus and its drivers will focus on promoting:

1. Reduction of consumption and recycling

2. Energy efficiency

3. Clean and renewable energy

4. Wise food choices

5. Personal action through voting

The Big Green Bus leaves the Dartmouth College campus on June 16th and will travel more than 12,000 miles through 40 states from New Hampshire to California and back again, educating Americans of all ages about how to green their homes and their country. Featured in previous years on Good Morning America, MTV, CNN, Newsweek, NPR, USA Today, and numerous local newspapers, these Dartmouth students are out once again to usher Americans onto their bus and into a green future.

The Big Green Bus would not be what it is today without the continued support from lead and flagship sponsor Waste Management, flagship sponsor Newman’s Own®, Inc., as well as generous charitable contributions from The Timberland Company and Changents.com.

“LOCAL SUTDENTS GET THEIR HANDS DIRTY DURING SUMMER VACATION”

Community Corps service and education program address key public needs throughout the region.

Telluride, Colorado (July 7, 2009) – This ain’t no party. This ain’t no disco. This summer program ain’t no fooling around.

Eight local teenagers, participating in a Community Corps Crew, have been put to task throughout the region with a public works service and education program that addresses key public needs, builds civic pride, teaches employment skills and facilitates personal growth.

The program, made possible by The New Community Coalition (TNCC) and Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC), began June 29, when the crew worked alongside Dave Bangert, Mountain Village forester, to remove noxious weeds along Big Billie’s Trail.

Thistle, a prickly and invasive pest, was later pulled in Town Park and near the beaver ponds with the Town of Telluride Public Works Department.

Tomten Farm hosted the crew for a lesson on organic gardening, the relationship between food and farm and a heap of farming chores.

This week, the good work continues at Indian Ridge Farm with harvesting, more chores and preparations for Friday’s Farmer’s Market. Later this week, the Corps members return to Telluride to prepare and plant beds in the Telluride Community Garden. Thursday, the final day of the project, sends the crew to Rico to prepare and plant sod.

Upon completion of the full eight days – each student will receive a service award of $175.00

The program, designed by SCC, aims to introduce teenagers to the values of work, service and learning in the local community and beyond. By practicing a good work and service ethic, participants develop new skills and resources of human power and self-confidence. Each participant commits to doing conservation work for the community, service projects for local organizations and learning about the community and the environment through hands-on place-based education.

For more Information Contact Laura at 970-403-0149 at Southwest Conservation Corp or visit website, www.sccorps.org. This project is funded by SCC, TNCC, The Telluride Foundation, the Commission for Community Assistance, Arts and Special Events (CCAASE).

“NUMBER 5 PLASTIC RECYCLING PROGRAM EXTENDED”

Telluride, Colorado (May 29, 2009) – TNCC issued this week a final call for number 5 plastics as their offer collect and recycle yogurt and other containers, issued in March, winds down.

For the past two months, TNCC has been accepting clean number 5 plastics, currently not recycled regionally, in an effort to coordinate with the “Gimme 5” recycling program presented by Preserve, an eco-friendly company that produces home products from 100% recycled plastic.

The near ubiquitous number 5 plastic is used for disposable food storage and prescription containers, hummus, butter, cottage cheese and sour cream tubs, to name a few.

“So many people participated with this program. Now our hope is that participation in the program will continue with independent efforts,” says Kris Holstrom, TNCC director. You can send clean number 5 plastics to Preserve Gimme 5, 823 NYS Rte 13. Cortland, NY 13045.

See what is accepted.

TNCC is extending the offer to mail the plastics off, for one last week. Some obvious things to consider: the containers must be rinsed clean and have the number 5 stamp on it. Lids, according to TNCC, are often made of something other than number five plastic.

Currently, you’d have to go as far as Durango to purchase the recycled Preserve products, which include toothbrushes and cutting boards.

This challenge is one of many recent TNCC projects aimed to provide sustainable solutions for the community. Other programs include Telluride Townies, an emerging bike program, composting efforts during MountainFilm, Tree Tours, Forest Health Workshops and plastic bag reduction efforts.

For more information, please call Beth Roberts at 970 729 1700 or at media.tncc@gmail.com.

“MAYORS ISSUE ENERGY CHALLENGE: MOVE TO 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY BY 2020”

San Miguel County, Colorado (May 28, 2009,) – In an unprecedented move this week, two southwestern Colorado mayors issued a joint Mayoral Challenge to their communities: move to 100% renewable energy by 2020.

Amidst the Telluride MountainFilm Festival -- an annual celebration dedicated to and renowned for progressive thought -- Stu Fraser, Mayor of Telluride and Bob Delves, Mayor of Mountain Village, Telluride’s sister resort community, announced the creation of Telluride Renewed: a Regional Renewable Energy Initiative.

In a joint statement the mayors said, “We are privileged to live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth but with privilege comes responsibility… As of right now, we’re part of the problem, the good news is, we’re working towards a solution.”

Over the past several weeks the governments of Telluride, Mountain Village, Norwood, Ophir and San Miguel County have all adopted Governor Ritter’s Climate Action Goal of a 20% reduction in Greenhouse Gas emissions by 2020, a lofty goal in and of itself. The sweeping new initiative aims to direct ownership of grid-scale wind and concentrate solar generation assets within the region and beyond and is in addition to earlier pledges to reduce emissions. Moreover, Telluride Renewed aims to not only trim the energy appetite but also to create new renewable generation rather than just purchasing what already exists. The mayors’ boast having spent a great deal of time, over the past few months, educating themselves and meeting with experts in renewable energy and with our power suppliers.

The challenge, according to the mayors, is to get all stakeholders to come together. Success will require a broad range of tactics as well as a broad coalition of partners including Telluride Ski and Golf Company, the largest consumer of energy in the area. The San Miguel Power Association and Tri State Generating and Transmission Company have been invited to the table. Additionally the mayors’ are looking to Denver, the Governor’s Energy Office, Washington, and the global community for assistance. The New Community Coalition (TNCC), a regional sustainability organization largely funded by both town governments, will be charged with providing coordination and support.

For Telluride Renewed to be successful, aggressive energy efficiency improvements to residential, commercial and municipal infrastructure will be necessary. “Local renewable energy generation assets – including hydro, biomass, solar thermal and solar PV – must be identified and developed”, says TNCC Sustainability Coordinator, Kris Holstrom. “But we must do more than pick the fruit,” she added, “We need to plant new trees.”

Telluride seeks, with this initiative, to serve as a model for both local and national communities interested in rejecting the “business as usual” mantra. “We will tell our story as we move down this path – what was easy, what was hard, what seemed insurmountable, what divided us – and what brought us together,” contends the joint statement released on Saturday.

Telluride and Mountain Village represent approximately 29% of the San Miguel Power Association’s membership, yet consume 50% of the kilowatt hours distributed. Like the miners in the region over a century ago, southwest Coloradans remain voracious consumers of electricity; meanwhile their economy depends on its availability, reliability, and sufficiency.

See footage of the joint statement on ...

forest health

forest health info

SCHEDULE

See the Forest and the Trees! A Forest Health Workshop
Friday May 8th 12:00-3:30 @ Wilkinson Public Library Program Room

San Miguel County, Colorado (April 29, 2009) -- "If it's red, it's dead," according to Roy Mask, Entomologist with USDA Forest Service in Gunnison describing trees in our area. There is no doubt if one looks around our hillsides that our trees are dying. In response -The New Community Coalition (TNCC) with San Miguel River Basin/Colorado State University Extension and Wilkinson Public library presents See the Forest and the Trees! A Forest Health Workshop to be held Friday May 8th 12:00-3:15 at Wilkinson Public Library in the Program Room. Attendance is free of charge. Forest health topics include impacts of bark beetles, spruce bud worm and Sudden Aspen Decline (SADS); Magnesium Chloride effects on roadside vegetation; and the relationship of fire prevention and forest health. A brief overview of the recently adopted Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) will also be presented. This workshop will be streamed live on Telluride Web TV and archived on www.telluridewebtv.com. DVD’s will be available for $20.00 from Telluride Web TV as well.

Area forests are suffering from a variety of beetles, spruce bud worms, fungi, tent caterpillars; and drought has set the stage. According to Mask “a lot of aspens have died in a very short period of time due to SADS; and there is significant mortality in the subalpine fir stands due to bark beetle and root disease”. With over 85 types of bark beetles, it can be difficult to dissect for the inexperienced eye.

Below is an archive of TNCC's press releases, a one stop shop for news regarding past, present and future projects. See the table of contents to skip directly to the news that most interests you.

To the right, find links to articles published regarding TNCC.

“LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO CONSIDER CLIMATE CHANGE GOALS”

San Miguel and Ouray Counties, Colorado (April 17, 2009) – Next week, San Miguel County, the Town of Telluride, the Town of Mountain Village, and the Town of Ophir will be considering adoption of greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals in support of Governor Ritter’s Climate Change Action Plan, which calls for a reduction of 20% below 2005 emissions levels by 2020.

“Our goal is to create regional uniformity and accountability in reaching our regional greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals,” said Kris Holstrom, Executive Director of the New Community Coalition, which is spearheading the effort to get regional governments to collaborate in reducing local greenhouse gas emissions.

Currently, there’s a patchwork quilt of emissions reduction targets.

When John Pryor was Mayor, the Town of Telluride made a commitment to the U.S. Conference of Mayors climate initiative to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 15% below 2004 levels by 2010.

San Miguel County has approved participation in the “Cool Counties” initiative, which seeks to reduce county geographical GHG emissions 80 percent below current levels by 2050, consistent with the emissions reduction targets outlined by President Obama.

According to a report released in March of 2008 by the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization, “Hotter and Drier: The West’s Changed Climate,” climate change poses significant risks to Western Colorado.

According to that report, the American West has warmed 70 percent more than the planet as a whole, with the West’s most pronounced temperature increases in the Colorado River basin, which has warmed more than twice as much as the global average. Increases in temperature are linked to less snowfall, smaller snowpacks, and earlier snowmelt -- taking an economic toll on the region’s tourism, recreation, skiing, hunting and fishing activities.

Also reported, increased populations of tree-killing bark beetles, historically held in check by low mountain temperatures, are now expanding their range in unprecedented ways. In Colorado, it’s predicted, all mature lodgepole pine forests will be eliminated within five years. In addition, the “sudden aspen decline” that is killing aspens in Colorado is linked to the hotter and drier conditions of a changed climate.

In his Climate Change Action Plan, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter announced a goal of reducing Colorado’s greenhouse gas emissions by 20% below 2005 levels by 2020. The same goal was included in legislation recently introduced in Washington, DC to implement President Obama’s climate change plans. Governor Ritter has asked Colorado utilities and local governments to support his climate change efforts.

“We’re currently working on a grant application to the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office, requesting funds to support regional climate change related programs and policies,” added Holstrom. “We thought it would strengthen our application to have climate change commitments from local governments in support of Governor Ritter’s emissions reduction goals.”

The conversation about emissions reduction goals is timely. Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22nd. TNCC is also hosting a Regional Forest Health presentation: May 8, 12 – 3p.m. at the Wilkinson Public Library.

“SOLAR HOT WATER REBATES PROGRAM AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES THAT ACT FAST”

San Miguel and Ouray Counties, Colorado (April 2, 2009) – San Miguel Power Association (SMPA), in partnership with The New Community Coalition (TNCC) announced this week that there is still $70,000 available to residents and businesses that want to invest in new solar hot water systems in SMPA Territory. The rebates will allowcustomersto install solar systems at considerable savings.

With a combination of Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) rebates and tax credits, Colorado home and business owners can save 50-55% on solar domestic hot water installations. In addition, these systems can reduce the cost of hot water by 50% - 80%. The Program also helps Colorado achieve its Climate Action Plan carbon reduction goals and increase Colorado’s energy independence.

Time is short to claim the rebates. Homeowners and businesses must begin working with approved solar installers to obtain quotes and submit Part 1 of the Rebate Application by April 15th, 2009.The application will be reviewed and upon approval, TNCC will provide customers with a Rebate Reservation. All installations must be completed and paperwork submitted to TNCC by June 26, 2009. This is an extended timeframe from the original date of June 19, 2008.

The Solar Rebate Program was created by the GEO inresponse to the growing demand for renewable energy initiatives to allow homeowners and businesses to harnessColorado's abundant solar resources. The Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association is administering the program for the GEO. The Program is designed to extend rebates for solar technologies to Colorado residents and businesses throughout the state.The GEO provides matching grants to Program Partners with the goal of developing local solar rebate programs.

To learn more about the program and how to receive a rebate,visit www.newcommunitycoalition.org/rebate.html, www.coseia.org, or www.colorado.gov/energy.

“2009 ENERGY STAR PARTNER OF THE YEAR AWARDED TO COLORADO GOVERNOR’S ENERGY OFFICE”

San Miguel and Ouray Counties, Colorado (March 23, 2009) – Gov. Bill Ritter today announced that the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) along with its 46 statewide partners will receive an EPA 2009 Energy Star Partner of the Year Award during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., later this month.

Colorado’s program was selected for its success in supporting the construction of energy-efficient Energy Star New Homes. These homes are typically 20 percent to 30 percent more efficient than standard homes, improving quality and comfort while reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

“Congratulations to the 46 statewide partners and the GEO for this award,” Gov. Ritter said. “Energy efficiency is a cornerstone of Colorado’s New Energy Economy, and building new homes that save energy and money is another example of how we are leading Colorado forward.” Gov. Ritter will accept the award on behalf of Colorado on March 31.

The EPA has linked significant cost and pollution savings to its ENERGY STAR program. Last year alone Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $19 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 29 million vehicles.

“More and more homes are now ENERGY STAR homes, and that includes starter homes to more upscale houses,” said Fritz Diether, a home energy rater who works with builders, Realtors and others in the Grand Junction area. “Energy efficiency is something we all can benefit from.”

In 2008, the GEO partnered with 46 community sponsors – including homebuilders, Realtors and home energy raters – on the construction of ENERGY STAR qualifying new homes. The GEO awarded grants totaling $224,000 for training, education and promotional efforts.

The program resulted in 2,109 new homes in Colorado earning the ENERGY STAR label in 2008, a record 19 percent market share of all new home construction and up dramatically from a 9 percent market share in 2007 and 8 percent in 2006. The GEO also helped register more than 50 new Colorado Energy Star New Homebuilders in 2008, pushing the total of qualified ENERGY STAR homebuilders to more than 200 in the state.

Other accomplishments the EPA considered in its Energy Star award to the GEO:

- The GEO and partners presented more than 50 Energy Star trainings to more than 900 Colorado building industry professionals.

- The program established 13 regional Energy Star New Homes Programs in Colorado, supported by 46 local sponsors, including cities, counties, utilities and nonprofits.

- The GEO assisted five of its ENERGY STAR partners in securing $15,000 of additional grants from the EPA for outreach.

The New Community Coalition (TNCC) and San Miguel County partnered with the GEO to provide this program locally during 2008. This year, TNCC partnered with San Miguel Power Association and is promoting the project throughout SMPA territory.

For additional information, visit www.coloradoenergystarhomes.com/.

"KEEP YOUR NUMBER 5 PLASTICS ALIVE"

Telluride, Colorado (March 16, 2009) – Recycling conscious yogurt consumers in southwest Colorado have long been whipsawed by a hard reality: Yogurt may be yummy, but the containers are doomed for the dump.

“I simply cannot live without yogurt. I use it in everything from pancakes to soups,” says Kate Danaher, Event Coordinator at The New Community Coalition (TNCC). “I feel guilty at the check out counter and then later at my trash can when so many of the products I love are packaged in number 5 plastic,” laments another staffer.

The near ubiquitous number 5 plastic is used for disposable food storage and prescription containers, hummus, butter, cottage cheese and sour cream tubs, to name a few.

While some advocate reusing those containers, most cupboards will inevitably arrive at a point of max capacity. Others obtain from buying products packaged in materials that are not easily recycled. But now, TNCC says you can have your cake and eat it too, thanks to the “Gimme 5” recycling program presented by Preserve, an eco-friendly company that produces home products from 100% recycled plastic.

What’s more, TNCC is issuing a challenge to regional organizations: collect number 5 plastics at the office, from now until June 1, and TNCC will handle the rest.

“We hope that following the challenge, participation in the program will continue with independent efforts or a host for a community drop station will be found,” says Kris Holstrom, TNCC director.

Some obvious things to consider: the containers must be rinsed clean and have the number 5 stamp on it. Lids, according to TNCC, are often made of something other than number five plastic.

Currently, you’d have to go as far as Durango to purchase Preserve products, which include toothbrushes and cutting boards. And so, as part of their efforts, TNCC is compiling signatures to present to local shopkeepers to demonstrate the demand for Preserve products.

This challenge is the most recent TNCC project aimed to provide sustainable solutions for the community. Other programs include attractive solar and insulation rebates, Caulk and Seal parties, plastic bag production reduction efforts, the upcoming economic conference and, the recently passed, strict Green Building Codes in Mountain Village and San Miguel County.

“The tighter things get with the economy, the tighter we’ll pull together as a community,” says Holstrom. “We’re finding people are eager to reach out to one another for support and for ways to change with the times.”

TNCC is issuing the offer up to a limited number of participants. To pledge your organization’s support, please call Beth Roberts at 970 729 1700 or at media.tncc@gmail.com.

“ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE ANNOUNCED”

San Miguel and Ouray Counties, Colorado (March 11, 2009) – After months of workshops, interviews, research and community conversation, The New Community Coalition (TNCC) announced this week its Economic Sustainability Conference, to showcase the findings of the Regional Sustainability Visioning Project (RSVP), will be held at the Telluride Conference Center on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 (8:30a.m. – 3p.m).

The conference, subtitled “Sustainable Action, Sustainable Leadership,” will focus on putting community vision into action and developing the community leadership necessary support that action. “Our RSVP Working Groups will be presenting their ideas for a sustainable future in the Telluride region,” says Kris Holstrom, TNCC Director. Additionally, two distinguished speakers have been enlisted to help focus the conference on implementing a sustainability strategy.

Myles Rademan who has been involved in all aspects of resort development and leadership training since 1971, holds graduate degrees in law and urban planning, and is a Fulbright and Salzburg Scholar as well as a Kellogg National Leadership Fellow. He served as Public Affairs and Planning Director for Park City, Utah and as Community Development Director for Crested Butte, Colorado. He speaks widely on future trends and the types of leadership needed to insure success in turbulent times and is appreciated as a knowledgeable, vibrant, motivating and entertaining speaker.

JoDee Powers, founder and president of Carbonconsultant.net, is an educator and consultant on sustainable issues who draws upon her expertise in systems thinking, climate action strategies and facilitation skills to help clients reach their long-term, sustainable goals. With a focus on helping diverse groups find shared awareness in the areas of climate reduction strategies, local self-reliance and sustainable issues. Powers has a reputation for navigating challenges to find pathways to collaboration and cooperation.

Rademan and Powers will also be holding afternoon workshops to expand on their talks and help us to organize to take action. RSVP is a project of TNCC made possible by grant funding from the Telluride Mountain Village Owner Association (TMVOA). Please contact Dave Johnson at 970-708-9449 for more information.

“NEW GREEN BUILDING CODE REDEFINES THE STATUS QUO IN MOUNTAIN VILLAGE ”

San Miguel and Ouray Counties, Colorado (March 6, 2009) – It’s been said, quite famously, that “it's not that easy being green,” beginning next month, however, new buildings in Mountain Village won’t have a choice thanks to a new Green Building Code passed, unanimously, on February 19, by Mountain Village council.

What’s unique about the code, says Kim Wheels, Energy Specialist from The New Community Coalition (TNCC), “it is a prescriptive code, which is a mandatory check list and not a point based code.”

Point based codes are difficult to enforce and administer, requiring additional personnel a third party oversight according to Wheels. “Many other jurisdictions, such as Aspen, have adopted point based codes and have struggled with enforcement. Several of them are now considering a switch from code to the prescriptive.”

Checklist items vary from ENERGY STAR requirements that include a tightly insulated thermal boundary to very specific considerations for our unique climate zone. “This is a big step up from what we had before,” says Wheels. The previous plan having been adopted in 2007.

Homes over 5000 sq feet are required to maintain a rating that is 30% more efficient than the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code, the status quo for most other building codes. Mountain Village’s new code is stricter, says Wheels, “because of our unique environment and the energy savings to the region,” says Wheels.

Commercial buildings, over 5000 sq. feet, face even stricter codes and must be LEED Silver certified. Currently LEED certified buildings are the exception and not the rule throughout the region.

The strict code is especially exceptional when you consider Mountain Village’s famed affinity for the log home. So, when the code was originally presented to Mountain Village Town Council in January, the Council opted to first explore whether or not the lionized cribs would be able to withstand the kind of strict rules associated with the green building code. The findings, presented by local energy company, Lotus Energy Solutions, revealed, to everyone’s surprise, that log homes can, in fact, be built responsibly and efficiently for the 21st century, when special attention is spent on construction detail.

This isn’t the end of green building work for TNCC, who worked alongside Mountain Village and San Miguel Building officials to develop the code. Wheels is already hard at work developing means to increase construction recycling, water conservation measures and to promote additional use of green building materials for area contractors.

Oh, and that famous green guy who waxed about his affliction, it’s worth noting that he also said “green can be big like an ocean, or important like a mountain, or tall like a tree,” and now, perhaps, cozy like a log cabin.

“THREE GREAT REASONS AND ONE EASY WAY TO CUT COSTS AND THE COLD"

San Miguel and Ouray Counties, Colorado (February, 25 2009) – “With the economy like it is,” as is the expression du jour, now might be the best time to tackle those nagging home improvement projects you’ve been putting off. Consider, for example, the advantages to properly insulating your home.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that homeowners can typically save up to 20% of heating and cooling costs, or up to 10% of total energy costs, by air sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces, and accessible basement rim joists.

Want to do right by your country and your pocketbook? Home improvement projects, according to many talking heads, are a great way to stimulate the economy, while also adding value and comfort to a home.

What’s more, rebates are now available to help make the improvements more affordable than ever before. The New Community Coalition (TNCC) and the San Miguel Power Association (SMPA), in partnership with the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office (GEO), are currently promoting a rebate program designed to put refunds into the hands of homeowners wishing to make energy-efficient improvements to their homes.

The Insulate Colorado rebate program, available to all homeowners in SMPA territory, are good for 40% of the total job cost, or $500, whichever amount is less.

Properly insulating and air sealing a home, according to TNCC Energy Specialist Kim Wheels, “will not only help reduce heating and cooling costs, but will also make a home less drafty and more comfortable all while offsetting carbon emissions. “

Furthermore, insulating your home isn’t just for the cold season. “A properly insulated home can save money during both the heating and cooling seasons,” said Tom Plant, GEO Director.

The Insulate Colorado rebate program is just one of five rebate programs currently offered by SMPA and TNCC. Others rebates are available for Residential Solar Photovoltaic, Residential Solar Hot Water, Small Business Photovoltaic and a Small Business Solar Hot Water.

The GEO, who make the rebates possible, use Clean Energy Funds to encourage Colorado residents to insulate their homes, buy more energy efficient homes, upgrade to solar technology and to, ultimately, “save energy, money, and reduce their carbon footprint,” says Plant.

Residents of the SMPA service territory qualify for rebates through TNCC. Rebates will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until program funding is exhausted. To qualify for the Insulate Colorado rebate, a homeowner must use an eligible contractor. A list of eligible contractors, as well as additional information, can be found on TNCC’s website, www.newcommunitycoalition.org.

“SAN MIGUEL POWER ASSOCIATION AND THE NEW COMMUNITY COALITION LAUNCH SOLAR REBATE PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GOVERNOR’S ENERGY OFFICE”
Residential and Commercial Rebates Available for Solar Electricity (Photovoltaic – PV) & Solar Hot Water Systems

Southwestern Colorado (January 27, 2009) – San Miguel Power Association (SMPA) and The New Community Coalition (TNCC) announced this week a partnership with The Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) and the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (CoSEIA) to offer area home and business owners a Solar Rebate Program throughout SMPA territory, including San Miguel, Ouray, western Montrose and portions of Hinsdale, Dolores and San Juan counties.

Starting in early 2009, residents and small businesses that install photovoltaic (PV) or solar hot water (SHW) systems in SMPA’s service territory can apply for rebates under the program. With a combination of the GEO rebates and federal tax credits, Colorado home and business owners can save 50-55% on the upfront cost of installing a solar system for producing energy or hot water. Once systems are installed, savings can vary from $250-500 per year in energy costs.

TNCC will be administering the rebate programs locally and will begin accepting rebate applications February 2, 2009. Only systems that are installed after that date will be eligible for a rebate under this program.Upon approval, TNCC will provide customers with a Rebate Reservation. Customers will have 90 days from the date of the reservation to complete the installation process. Under this rebate time period, systems must be installed and operational with complete application documentation submitted to TNCC by June 19, 2009. A professional energy audit must be performed on homes for eligibility for residential rebates. Once the installation is complete, SMPA will issue the rebate check to the home or business owner.

The Solar Rebate Program was created by the GEO as an incentive for renewable energy installations on homes and businesses throughout the state, helping to harness Colorado’s abundant solar resources. By partnering with GEO, CoSEIA and TNCC, SMPA has brought the incentive to the local area. CoSEIA is administering the program for the GEO while the GEO provides matching grants to Program Partners. By partnering with cities, utilities, and non-profit organizations through a matching grant program, the funding for rebates is effectively doubled. The program helps Colorado achieve its Climate Action Plan carbon reduction goals and increase Colorado’s energy independence.

TNCC will host informational meetings for the region at the following locations and times:

Telluride: Wilkinson Public Library Program Room, 5:00 p.m. on February 10
Ridgway: SMPA Meeting Room, 6:00 p.m. on February 17
Nucla: SMPA Meeting Room, 6:00 p.m. on February 25
Silverton: Silverton Town Board Meeting, in the Council Chambers located at 421 S. Water St. 7:30 p.m. on February 9.

To learn more about the program and how to receive a rebate,visit www.newcommunitycoalition.org, www.smpa.com, www.coseia.org, or www.colorado.gov/energy.

“NEW PROJECT SET TO TACKLE REGIONAL SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES ”

TNCC launches new phase in the Regional Sustainability Visioning Project and issues a call to arms.

San Miguel and Ouray Counties, Colorado (December 22, 2008) – The New Community Coalition (TNCC) announced this week the launch of the next phase the Regional Sustainability Visioning Project (RSVP) and issued a call for community action.

“It’s absolutely essential for our community that we act immediately towards sustainable economic solutions,” says Kris Holstrom, Director of TNCC. “If you live or work here and you’d like to continue to do so, we’re asking you to put on your thinking hat and roll up your sleeves. When times are tough there’s a window of opportunity for us to meet these challenges creatively. The whole notion of sustainability is big picture. Many of us have in-depth knowledge of our own ‘slice of the economic pie. As a community we need to share our ingredients and come up with a recipe for the whole. We’ve got to do this together and we need everyone’s input!”

RSVP’s kickoff meeting is scheduled for January 13, at 6 p.m. at the Mountain Village Council Meeting Room. An impressive 13 member Steering Committee, formed to oversee the project, is hoping to attract a large and diverse group of community members to the meeting.

Telluride Mayor and Steering Committee member, Stu Fraser emphasizes the importance of the project to our community at this time, saying, “It is becoming more and more obvious that in order for us to become a more sustainable community we need to focus on what has made us who we are today...a town that believes in being realistic and understanding our strengths and our weaknesses.” Fraser continues, “We are a tourist based economy that relies upon sales tax and real estate transfer tax to maintain our infrastructure, to support the arts, to build affordable housing, to focus on achieving our environmental goals, to have a viable economic base and to provide the services required by our citizens and guests.”

The conversation will begin with a presentation – called “Our Changing Regional Economy” – on the current conditions and trends in the Telluride regional economy. Interest groups will be formed and tasked to research the health and wealth of their specific areas of economic activity and to then develop a vision of economic sustainability for the future, all culminating with a community presentation and discussion to be held at Telluride Conference Center in March.

Steering Committee Chair and San Miguel County Commissioner, Joan May says, “In order to build a sustainable local economy, we need to understand what the indicators of a healthy economy are.” Mountain Village Mayor Bob Delves, also a member of the Steering Committee, echoed the sentiment, “Our local economy is surprisingly shallow and fragile. As a community, we need to develop a common understanding of what really drives our economic engine, and then find common ground on which to build economic sustainability.”

“The mission of RSVP is three fold”, says Kris Holstrom, Director of TNCC. “First, RSVP aims to develop a vision of a sustainable economic future for the Telluride region from individual, group and community-wide perspectives. Second, RSVP will ground the conversation and visioning process in current community conditions, trends and the best available research. Third, RSVP intends to lay the foundation for future community conversations that will develop specific actions to be taken toward the community vision. “Basically,” says Holstrom, “we’re asking: Where are we now? Where do we want to go? How do we get there?”

“The kickoff meeting is a community conversation about a sustainable future in changing times,” says Dave Johnson, RSVP Project Coordinator. “Much of the work of this process will happen through group meetings and interactive Internet dialogue, and it is designed to include as many community members as want to participate,” added Johnson.

The concept, which is a follow up to last March’s Thinking Outside the Box Canyon event, is based, in part, on the process described by Jonathan Schechter, Director of the Charture Institute, a non-profit public policy think-tank based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and loosely modeled after the “Sustaining Jackson Hole” program. RSVP is a project of TNCC made possible by grant funding from the Telluride Mountain Village Owner Association (TMVOA).

TNCC is seeking extensive involvement during this process, specifically during the January 13, Kickoff Meeting. “This should be a priority for all citizens of the Telluride region,” says Holstrom. For information or to join the ongoing discussion, please visit www.telluridersvp.net or contact Dave Johnson at (970) 708- 9449.

“WINTER IS COMING… IS YOUR HOME READY?”

The New Community Coalition promotes two programs to get your home ready for the winter.

San Miguel and Ouray Counties, Colorado (October 28, 2008) – The New Community Coalition (TNCC) is promoting two programs to help winterize homes in San Miguel and Ouray Counties, just in time for winter.

“Both programs are designed to improve the thermal boundary of your home,” said Kris Holstrom, TNCC Director. Benefits, from either program, include decreased heating utility bills, reduced energy waste from drafty homes, increased homeowner comfort and ultimately, a smaller carbon footprint.

Insulate Colorado, a rebate program offered by TNCC and the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO), is available to homeowners who hire a qualified installer to insulate and seal their home. Rebate amounts have increased to 40% of the total job cost, up to $500.

Barb Zabel, of Hastings Mesa, who has already taken advantage of the Insulate Colorado rebate program, said, "I'm pleased with the insulation placed in the attic of our log cabin. In addition, it inspired me to caulk the logs and further seal the house. It has made a notable difference."

The second TNCC program is a modern twist on yesterday’s Home Interior party; a Do-It-Yourself, “Caulk & Seal Party,” hosted in your home in the company of your friends. Hosts coordinate with TNCC to purchase caulking and sealing materials, at a reduced price, from Timberline ACE Hardware, then, TNCC staff, along with a local professional, teach the host and their guests the finer details of using caulk and spray-foam insulation, aided by an infra-red camera to identify cold spots.

For best results, TNCC encourages hosts to hire a local energy auditor, at a discounted rate of $50, to run a blower door test during the party, identifying air gap leaks in the home.

To learn more about the Insulate Colorado rebate program or to host a “Caulk & Seal Party,” visit www.newcommunitycoalition.org or call Beth Roberts at 970 729 1700.

“Volunteers needed to monitor free box”

The New Community Coalition seeks volunteers to determine the worth of the Free Box.

San Miguel and Ouray Counties, Colorado (November 11, 2008) – The New Community Coalition (TNCC) is seeking volunteers to help audit the flow of goods at the Free Box as part of the Free Box Task Force, recently assembled by Telluride’s Town Council.

“If you’ve ever taken anything from the Free Box, this is your opportunity to give back,” says Kris Holstrom, Director of TNCC, the organization responsible for overseeing the Task Force that will make short-term recommendations, for the Free Box, to Town Council on December 9.

Some community members, in recent months, have complained to Town Council about the current state of the Free Box.

“It’s absolutely essential for us, as a community, to understand the value of the Free Box, not just anecdotal stories, but quantifiable measures of the service provided to the area,” says Holstrom.

Volunteers are needed for 3-hour shifts between November 16 – 22 to monitor items both coming and going. A survey form will be provided by TNCC.

Additionally, TNCC and the Free Box Task Force aim to identify how much of what is hauled away by the town could potentially be diverted away from landfills and to gauge the demand for a local drop off site for large items.

The Free Box Task Force’s long-term recommendations for the Free Box are expected early next spring.

For more information please contact Free Box Volunteer Coordinator, Colleen Trout at 728 1340 or email admin.tncc@gmail.com.