Wind power and other alternatives for energy efficiency continue to increase in attainability while decreasing in cost thanks to the efforts of Gunnison County Electric Association (GCEA), the local member-owned non-profit electric power co-op. The efforts are timely as the cost of utilities are on the upswing–7 percent for electricity and 20-24 percent for natural gas.
GCEA is one of 44 member distribution systems of Westminster-based Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association which supplies electricity to approximately 1 million people in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming. Tri-State owns and/or operates oil, gas and coal-fired electricity plants plus it purchases hydropower from the federal government. The majority of which is coal-fired. In addition, it is able to provide a small amount of renewable energy from wind turbines and from landfill gas generation. GCEA is 8,469 meters strong representing approximately 6,600 residents.
Energy costs are increasing everywhere including right here in Gunnison County as demand increases with cold weather and supply remains uncertain. GCEA’s rates increased 7 percent effective March 1. Rates for natural gas via Atmos Energy are expected to increase approximately 20-24 percent starting March 14. However, options for increased efficiency are numerous with GCEA. David Houghton, GCEA board representative for the Crested Butte area, says that the GCEA board is doing what it can to provide viable alternatives.
"The bigger picture is we’re trying to have GCEA at the forefront of what we can do environmentally while providing reliable power," says Houghton.
Houghton explains that coal-fired energy powerplants provide approximately 80 percent of the energy consumed locally. One pound of coal is required to produce one kilowatt hour (kWh) energy. Each month, the average home uses approximately 800 kWh or 640 pounds of coal with the remaining 160 kWh from the other types of powerplants plus hydro power.
Energy efficiency programs that are available through GCEA are numerous. Some have been around for a few years while others were only recently offered. They include the Green Power Program which makes wind power available to consumers, energy efficiency advice free of charge, blower door testing to find leaks of heat within a structure and low interest rate–between 5 and 6 percent depending on the term–loans for energy efficiency improvements up to $5,000.
But it’s the new programs that Houghton is also excited about. The programs are many and all of them look to the future. Similar to the existing energy efficiency loans, a more progressive loan program offers even lower rates–3-5 percent for up to 10 years–for the purchase of renewable energy systems such as solar setups and small-scale wind power. Loans of up to $25,000 are possible through GCEA.
"We’re acting as a financing source," explains Houghton.
GCEA is also, according to Houghton, continuing to explore fuel cell technology and other small-scale generation systems. Another program benefits those citizens of Gunnison County not even hooked up to available utilities–those who are "off the grid." In the program, GCEA has rewritten its bylaws so that these off-the-grid citizens can still be members of GCEA. By being a member, a person or homeowner can still qualify for the loan programs in order to improve or expand their respective system. Details are still being worked out but the concept is solid.
While the wind power available locally is actually generated on the Front Range and in Wyoming, GCEA has undertaken a study to determine whether energy-producing wind turbines would be a feasible project locally. The co-op is erecting a wind measurement station south of Blue Mesa Reservoir near Nine Mile Hill. The station will record data for a full year, which will then be analyzed.
Houghton is outspoken about the benefits of wind power and encourages citizens to take a close look at the option. He says that the more people who subscribe to the program, the more Tri-State will invest in wind farms. Wind power costs slightly more than traditional electricity–approximately $.10 per kWh compared to $.075 per kWh of traditional power. Consumers can buy blocks of wind power in 100 kWh increments for an extra $2.50 per month. If eight blocks were ordered, the average home would be subsisting off of wind power. Or, to look at it another way, 640 pounds of coal would not have to be burned. "If you want to encourage wind power buy a block or two," says Houghton. "It’s an extra few bucks a month and it makes you feel good and that’s a good enough reason to do it."
GCEA also is making sure that local citizens are educated at a young age. The association is currently talking with the Crested Butte Community School about installing a grid-tied solar electric system on the school’s roof. "It’s a demonstration; it’s educational and it’s functional," says Houghton adding that it would get students involved in a very visible project.
GCEA has started a program to encourage people to install a ground-source heating system. This form of using electricity to heat a structure is, according to Houghton, four times as efficient as a traditional baseboard system. GCEA is also in the midst of retrofitting outdoor floodlights with more efficient and shielded bulbs. The approximately 500 lights county-wide–mostly on ranches–are considered "dark sky" fixtures as light is projected downward. "It’s pretty important with the development of an observatory," says Houghton of the planned Gunnison Valley Observatory, one facet of the Gunnison Science and Technology Center. "We need to get a handle on light pollution."
For information on any of these programs, check out GCEA’s website at www.gcea.coop or call GCEA direct at 641-3520.
©2003 Crested Butte News
