Clean Energy Committee
Established in January 2016 as a committee under the Ridgway Ouray Community Council (ROCC), our local Town/County Clean Energy Committee (CEC) includes interested community members, SMPA staff, EcoAction Partners staff, and others. Our informative, 2-hr meetings are now held roughly every 3 months, and new members are always welcome. Send a note to the SAB email below if you would like more information.
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Goals:
1. Education: Learn more about what can and is being done locally --> help educate others. 2. Electrification 3. Energy Efficiency 4. Energy Decarbonization 
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Past Accomplishments:
2016: Ridgway Elementary & Secondary Schools. Proposed both schools convert to LEDs. Received ($5k ROCC & $3k SMPA grants). Rewired fluorescent lights, removed ballasts, replaced tubes with >2500 LEDs. Cut RES and RSS electricity use by 16%, saving $15,000/yr 2017: Continued RSS light fixture conversion & assisted R schools to obtain/conduct an energy audit through the Energy Savings for Schools program. Drafted a Charge Ahead CO grant for the Town for two level-2 EV chargers. Introduced C-PACE to Ouray County. 2018: Conducted a survey of Ouray County businesses, finally won county C-PACE approval. Proposed & helped set up a Tech/Stem Solar-in-the-Schools elective. Proposed an overhaul of Green Blocks with a 1 cent/kWh Green Rate & presented this idea to the SMPA Board. Sponsored a Clean Energy movie at the Wright. Advanced the idea of solar panels on the Ridgway schools, presenting a cost-benefit analysis with payback. 2019: Promoted roll out of the new SMPA Totally Green program & C-PACE to local businesses. 2020: Assisted students in the RSS Solar Elective to apply for a grant to fund two school EV charging stations. Presented Totally Green program to the R Town Council => enrollment. Met with the Ouray Mayor & City Administrator to encourage LED conversion. Presented proposal for Ouray City indoor light conversion to Ouray City Counsel in 11/2020 & won 100% support. 2021: Rewired fluorescent lights In Ridgway Town Hall, Ouray Hot Springs & Gym, and the Ouray Library, recycling about 400 bulbs and 400 lbs of ballasts. Organized Ridgway Earth Day EV parade through the RES to the RSS. Rewired & converted fixture to LEDs the rest of Ouray Govt. Buildings: Community Room, City Offices, Visitors Centers, Fire Station & Ambulance Bay 2022: ROCC contributed $900 for fluorescent tube recycling for all area projects. New sub-committee focused on decarbonizing Ridgway building. Met with Ouray County Commissioners to propose LED conversion in county. Recaptured eight 1x1x4 ft boxes of LEDs prior to RES demolition/rebuild and proposed installation in the older building of the Ouray school. 2023: Fluorescent fixture rewiring with LED bulbs at the Ouray school, using free bulbs donated by the RES. Began inventory of Ridgway Public Building heating and hot water units. |
