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Regional Energy Plan
On Earth Day April 22, 2010 a fleet of F/A-18 Green Hornets left the Naval Air Station at Patuxent River flying over the Chesapeake Bay on a blend of biofuel made from camelina seed. The test flights are not a case of recreational engineering or happenstance but a milestone in the Navy’s goal to have half of the fuel consumed by naval operations come from alternative sources by the year 2020. The energy strategy was developed to counter the triple threat that an insecure energy supply, fluctuating fuel prices and climate change pose to the Navy’s ability to execute its mission. The successful test flight was the culmination of a coordinated effort and would not have been possible without a strategic plan.
On December 19th 2007 President Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act which authorized the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program. The program according to the Department of Energy “represents a presidential priority to deploy the cheapest, cleanest, and most reliable energy technologies we have—energy efficiency and conservation—across the country.” The EECBG program was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Grand County BEDA has been awarded a grant under the EECBG program through the Colorado Governors Energy Office. One of the purposes and requirements of the grant is the development of a strategic “sustainability” plan (STRATEGY). The STRATEGY will focus on energy efficiency, conservation, the reduction of fossil fuel emissions and job creation. The direction and goals of the STRATEGY will be formulated by a regional advisory group comprised of community leaders from government, business, education, utilities, economic development, agriculture and non-profits.
The STRATEGY will be developed at eight workshops held over a five month period. Throughout the process stakeholders will be consulted for input on the draft STRATEGY.
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