WORC launches biodiesel bus tour

At their semi-annual meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, staff and board members of the Western Organization of Resource Councils (WORC) toasted the launching of the Homegrown Prosperity – Renewable Energy Biodiesel Bus Tour.  Seven WCC staff members and two WCC Board members participated in the event.

The 12-week bus tour, which will include seven states in the Rocky Mountain West, aims to foster homegrown prosperity by developing alternatives to fossil fuel-based energy, including biofuels, renewable electricity, energy efficiency, and local foods production and capacity. In addition, the tour hopes to highlight the urgent need to address climate change and our current dependence on fossil fuels.

The Biodiesel Bus will make its first official stop in Colorado on August 1 when it visits the Garfield County Fair.  From there, the bus travels to the Olathe Sweet Corn Festival in Olathe on August 2, the Ridgway Farmers Market on August 3, and several events in Grand Junction on August 7-8.  Stay tuned for more details!

 

Grant Will Help DMEA Members Use Solar

Colorado, United States [from RenewableEnergyWorld.com]

Delta-Montrose Electric Association (DMEA) residential members interested in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems will have a new financial incentive available June 1, 2008. A US $25,000 matching grant to DMEA from the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) will enable DMEA to offer a limited number of its members a US $2/watt rebate on new PV systems installed beginning June 1.

Under the program, only residential, grid-tied, net-metered PV systems on DMEA’s lines are eligible to receive rebates. To qualify for the rebate, PV systems must be installed by a certified member of the Colorado Solar Energy Industry Association (COSEIA) or North American Board of Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certified.

Under the program, only residential, grid-tied, net-metered PV systems on DMEA’s lines are eligible to receive rebates. To qualify for the rebate, PV systems must be installed by a certified member of the Colorado Solar Energy Industry Association (COSEIA) or the North American Board of Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

Rebates for solar electric systems will be capped at US $3,000 per system to spread available resources to more members. Rebates will not be retroactive and will only apply to systems installed between June 1 and December 31, 2008. All rebates will be subject to site verification and funding availability.

“We’re pleased that the Governor’s Energy Office has selected DMEA for this program,” said Steve Metheny, DMEA’s assistant general manager.  “Some of our members have been asking our board of directors for such a program and the recent grant from the state has greatly improved the economics of our financing solar rebates.”

Program applications will be available ONLY on DMEA’s website beginning June 1.

 

Are biofuels responsible for world hunger?

Biofuels and World Hunger

On the editorial page in the Montrose Daily Press, Tuesday, May 6, is a political cartoon depicting a emaciated, starving man  holding an empty bowl.  A  pair of arms is holding out to him a gasoline can labeled ETHANOL.  The meaning of the cartoon is certain– biofuels are responsible for world famine. 

I enclose a link to an article posted on www.grain.org about the causes of the present world crisis of food, a crisis not caused by the push to alternatives fuels but by the complete restructuring of the food system over the past decades.  Reading “Making a Killing from Hunger” will be well worth your time.

“http://www.grain.org/articles_files/atg-16-en.pdf