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You have
the power! To determine our energy future…
Did you know that our electric company, Platte River Power
Authority (PRPA), is governed by the cities of Fort Collins, Loveland,
Longmont, and Estes Park? Our
Mayors and utilities directors comprise the board of directors and decide
electric policy. PRPA’s mission
(www.prpa.org) is to provide the four cities with reliable, affordable, and
environmentally responsible electricity.
There is no better way to accomplish this mission than to reduce the amount
of energy wasted. The Problem:
Expensive energy resources Burning coal and natural gas generates 73% of our
electricity and almost all of our heating is gas. This is a problem because of environmental damage and the
price of coal and gas is on the rise and predicted to skyrocket. This is causing an expected 20% rate
increase from PRPA over the next few
years. The Solution:
Reduce waste Money invested in home efficiency lower bills, increases
the value of the home, creates jobs, and recirculates in the local
economy. Money spent on coal goes up in smoke. According
to U.S. Dept. of Energy, weatherization and efficient lighting (CFLs) alone can save
the average household 39% on energy bills. The Strategy:
PRPA invest in residential energy efficiency Fort Collins Utilities is
investing $1.62 mill. this year in efficiency. This is impressive but without Loveland, Longmont and Estes
Park investment, efforts in Fort Collins will not have as much effect. The four cities are tied together by
sharing (and paying for) electric generation. We all pay for new generators, transmission, and other fixed
costs. If one city becomes more
efficient than another, then the more efficient city ends up paying for the
other city’s waste. Inefficiency
in any part of the system affects the efficiency of the whole. That is one reason for PRPA
to invest in efficiency. Another
reason is that the Governor’s Energy Office has set a goal for PRPA to reduce
waste by 210 gWh by 2020. PRPA is
currently only planning to reduce by 57 gWh. Unfortunately the most
inefficient homes are often occupied by people least able to make the
investment (renters and fixed income families). If each of us pay one dollar per month on our electric bill, PRPA could double their
efficiency programs and invest in weatherizing and providing CFLs to 900 – 1500
of the most inefficient homes, each year! Besides saving them money, this investment helps us all by: Creating 50 jobs, reducing
pollution, allowing the recipients to spend more money in the local economy,
and reducing the need for expensive fuel and generators (that cost us all
money). Write a short note to PRPA. Say what you like and
please personalize your letter. They
should know that:
you want PRPA to meet the Governor's Energy Office goal for efficiency and to work together to provide energy audits, weatherization, and
efficient lighting to the most inefficient homes throughout the PRPA
territory. Tell them that you don’t
mind paying an extra dollar per month if need be to fund the programs.
Include your address and be sure to ask for a
reply, we need to know that they are listening.
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