Revitalizing Glenwood Springs: A Greener Vision Unveiled
Blue Strike is working with the City of Glenwood Springs, CO toward a sustainable future with the launch of the City’s new Energy and Climate Action Plan (ECAP). Originally written in 2009, the ECAP’s comprehensive update will strategically tackle energy use and procurement, emissions reduction, and operational efficiencies within the City's own operations. The Plan will cover City buildings, facilities, vehicles, and natural systems. The new Plan will also align with the goals set forth by the Garfield Clean Energy Collaborative, of which Glenwood Springs is a member.
We began in September with site visits and meetings with City leadership to understand priorities. In December, city employees participated in a survey, contributing creative ideas for climate-friendly projects. Now, Blue Strike is inventorying City assets, and considering energy consumption sources like electricity, natural gas, gasoline, and diesel fuel.
In January, focus groups were initiated with City staff and council members. These groups have been refining the opportunities and challenges across energy supply, buildings, transportation, resource conservation, and parks and natural systems.
Highlighting the successes of the 2009 plan, Glenwood Springs achieved impressive goals such as making Glenwood Springs Electric’s energy supply 100% renewable, energy efficiency upgrades, adopting the latest energy efficiency building codes, landfill waste diversion, and the “Pay as You Throw” waste and recycling service.
Blue Strike and Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER) are spearheading this transformative initiative. CLEER, a Carbondale-based nonprofit, provides crucial support, offering local data, facilitating in-person meetings, connecting with existing climate efforts, and ensuring plan implementation.
Rich Swanson, Director of Climate and Energy at Blue Strike, anticipates that the 2024 ECAP will be a robust roadmap for ambitious energy projects, contributing to renewable sources, efficiency savings, and global climate goals. Stay tuned, as the project team estimates the final draft of the Plan will be ready for formal consideration and adoption by the City this coming fall.
