The Pathway to Energy Independence

by Reji

Letter to the Durango Herald Editor

Dear Editor:

There is a pathway to energy independence in our region, and there is no better time than now to put one foot in front of the other to get there. The more of us that start walking that path, the more money stays in our back pockets and in our local economy. With the rising cost of electricity, alternative ways to power our homes and businesses are looking more appealing. The US Army is well on its way to energy independence, with the Army Strategy for the Environment: Sustain the Mission – Secure the Future (www.sustainability.army.mil). Our neighbors at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs produces as much energy as they use, and reuse or recycle 100% of their waste and water.

The first step along this path energy efficiency.  “First Reduce Your Use, and then Produce” Making sure that your home or business is air sealed is the first and usually least expensive way to decrease energy waste. Efficient bulbs and ENERGY Star appliances are a great way to reduce electricity demand, as well.

Once a home or building is efficient, the next step is renewables. More than 290 days of FREE sunshine brightens our county each year. Solar makes sense (and cents) in our sunny location, and allows us the freedom to produce energy on our very rooftops, of all places. With so much power just over our heads, it’s not as hard as you might think to reach up and grab it.

I’m excited about the opportunity that Solarize La Plata is creating for many here. The payback period for solar has changed from twenty years to just seven years with the offered base price systems. Financing options are available.

Let us follow the example that our nation’s army is setting and strive for energy independence. I encourage all readers who are ready to take electricity production into their own hands to visit fourcore.org or call 970-259-1916 to get your name on the list by January 31^st, when the sign up period ends.

Sincerely,

Teresa Shishim
A.K.A. Little Miss Sunshine