Touring Lower Valley Energy
May 6, 2010
Had a wonderful tour today with President, Jim Webb and Gas Manager, Martell Brower of Lower Valley Energy here in Jackson and Afton, Wyoming.
What a state-of-the-art way to do power! Clean, inexpensive, safe and well managed. We learned there is potential for a natural gas power plant at Kirkwood. This energy co-op is an inspiration. Even though, they have the lowest power rate in the country (5 cents kWh), they have a creative and dynamic conservation program to reduce energy consumption.
Sign The Green Power Plant For Kirkwood Now Petition – click here
To: California Air Board SMART Energy for Kirkwood
A New State-of-the-Art Natural Gas Power PlantKMPUD will be building a new power plant to replace the one burned in the fire.
The good news is, it looks like there may be a cleaner (and cheaper!) alternative to diesel.The Air Board has given Kirkwood a permit to burn diesel in the temporary generators until January 2011. Kirkwood will likely need an extension of this permit to fully review the natural gas alternative to diesel and if feasible, build a state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly, natural gas power plant.
Since the original diesel plant was permitted, there has been significant development of housing (some near the new site). A new diesel plant may adversely impact this housing. The state of California has legislation which prohibits building new diesel plants if there is a cleaner alternative.
Natural gas is cleaner, quieter and cheaper. Our PUD has an obligation to its community to serve it with the most reliable, cleanest, and most cost effective power. The target fuel price for a natural gas power plant is realistic at 25 cent a kWh, a far cry from the 48 cents we paid in March.
But we need time. Is it really necessary to rush?
This decision will impact many generations of residents and visitors to our pristine valley for decades to come.We ask that an extension be granted. We ask that the Air Board flatly deny any permit to build a diesel plant until the natural gas alternative has been fully reviewed and brought to an open meeting of the PUD on a Saturday morning, when our largely vacation homeowners can attend. And further, that the meeting be videotaped and uploaded to the web within 24 hours.
Concerned citizens for SMART energy solutions for Kirkwood.
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Hello Neighbors:
El Nino is delivering as promised, huge snow for Kirkwood. Now with the sun coming out, we are in for epic days in the mountains!
On the energy front, an important KMPUD meeting is coming up in March:
Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District
Community Meeting
Saturday, March 13, 2010
10:00am
Kirkwood Community Services Building 33540 Loop Road, Kirkwood CATopics to Include:
- District’s Effort to Connect an Electrical Line to the National Grid;
- District’s Effort to Purchase Mountain Utilities Electric and Propane System;
- Update on Plans to Build a new Electrical Powerhouse.
I would recommend any homeowners who cannot attend, and who would be interested in viewing video of this meeting, live or delayed, contact the PUD immediately with this request.
As you know, Kirkwood is 99% vacation homeowners, and we are not all in the valley all the time. To have input, we need to have the information.
Becoming informed about energy issues (real-time) is possible on the internet.
Make your opinion on this known to the KMPUD: Call Michael Sharp or Tom Henie: 209-258-4444 or e-mail him at: www.kmpud@volcano.net
The KMPUD needs to communicate on an on-going basis in this very important time where we are at a crossroads in our energy decisions. This is not something you want to wait to hear about in your HOA meeting on July 4th weekend!
Make your voice heard!
Your friend in SMART Energy solutions for Kirkwood,
Raejean
