This initiative is taking local renewable power seriously and is facilitating 100 new solar electric installations in the county. Here are some great reasons to consider installing solar today and increasing energy production in our region.

When we spend money locally, that money circulates in our community and supports our neighbors, which is the simple but effective idea behind the Buy Local campaign. It can apply to energy production as well. If we could generate even 10 percent of our energy locally, that would have a $7 million (paid to Tri-State annually) times three (multiplier effect of spending locally), or about a $20 million positive impact on our community.

Coal costs are rising from 5 to 6 percent per year, two to three times faster than inflation. Tri-State, La Plata Electric Association’s energy supplier, currently uses more than 70 percent coal. We will see this increase in energy costs reflected in our LPEA bills for some time unless we take some local control of our energy production.

Southwest Colorado has a competitive advantage when it comes to solar, with more than 290 days of sunshine and optimal cool temperatures. This resource is underutilized as currently of LPEA’s 40,000 meters, only about 1 percent have solar photovoltaics. I know that independence and sovereignty are important values to me and much of our rural Southwest Colorado community. In using this clean, plentiful resource, we can increase control of our energy costs, help with local job creation and increase our local, clean energy production in Southwest Colorado.

The time is right to consider a solar system for your home, and Solarize La Plata can make it easier and more economical for you. This project is available for a limited time, so get on the list before Jan. 31, 2014. Call 4Core at (970) 259-1916 and start helping our community and yourself with locally produced energy.

Katie McGee Waller

Durango