New Energy Communities Initiative a Logical Fit for Impact Funds

Recently, Gov. Bill Ritter announced the New Energy Communities Initiative — an exciting, innovative program that will use existing state resources to help energy-impacted communities improve the lives of their citizens today and in the future.

The initiative, a joint effort between the Governor’s Energy Office and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, sets aside $10 million in Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance (“Impact”) for grants up to $2 million for five regional projects in locations affected by energy and mineral development.

The New Energy Communities Initiative was created in direct response to energy impacted communities, including those in northwest Colorado, that requested assistance in getting conservation and environmentally-friendly projects off the ground.

Local governments know that energy efficient buildings, infrastructure and homes mean future cost savings – cost savings that equal good public policy and more efficient use of energy impact and other funds in the future. The initiative also was created in response to a new state law that will require impact-grant recipients to comply with energy conservation standards when they build or remodel facilities larger than 5,000 square feet.

We know that at some point down the road, all communities experiencing a boom in energy production will also see a decline in that production. Just as there are impacts associated with the expansion of energy industry, so will there be impacts as a consequence of a decline in that industry.

In the short time since the announcement, we have received numerous requests for information about the New Energy Communities Initiative and positive feedback has poured in.

This collective effort is reflective of our commitment to help state government and local communities stretch existing resources so that energy impacted communities save money on operational costs, maintain their long-term financial health and learn best practices from one another.

Susan Kirkpatrick
Executive Director
Colorado Department of Local Affairs
Denver

This entry was posted on Monday, June 30th, 2008 at 5:03 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.