She understands the imperative of reducing our dependence on environmentally damaging fossil fuels and moving to newer, sustainable, renewable energy sources like solar and geothermal – which we have in local abundance.

The cost of renewable energy continues to dramatically decrease while fossil-fuel coal generation costs steadily increase. In many electric utility service areas, the path of these two trends has already crossed – meaning renewables are already cheaper than coal in producing electricity.

Over the past 18 years, Alison, as a local business owner, has grown a business providing jobs for more than 30 employees and yearly injects more than $1 million into La Plata County’s economy. She understands the bottom line while remaining true to her firm belief in supporting our local economy by purchasing local farm produce as the primary source for her food service business.

She was a founding member of Local First and is active in supporting local service groups that provide critical support for our community.

One of the stated principles of our co-op is to “work for the sustainable development” of our community. Currently, we send more than $72 million yearly to the Front Range to buy coal-fired electricity outside of La Plata County and Colorado. She wants to use our local energy resources, like solar and geothermal, to keep as many of those energy dollars local as possible.

Locally generated energy provides local jobs and pumps up the local economy. For every dollar kept in La Plata County, it is estimated that it has an economic multiplier effect of two to three times.

Alison Dance has vision, common sense and tough decision-making skills to help in an orderly transition to a brighter energy future for our community.

Please vote for Alison Dance for District 4 LPEA board of directors.

John Lyle

Durango