I get asked a lot what is next for Thurston Energy, since our big grant will be complete soon. I’m happy to announce that Thurston Energy will continue on as the Local Energy Program of the Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC), in collaboration with the Thurston Climate Action Team (TCAT).
To kick off 2012, Thurston Energy is collaborating with the Buy Local Program to hold the first “Local Energy Convergence” in downtown Olympia (at the Olympia Center) on January 31, 2012. Details for this event are just coming together, and there are great opportunities to sponsor, speak, and participate. Please visit the event website: www.localenergynow.org/conference and contact us to get involved.
When I wrote about the notion of Local Energy in my last blog entry, I defined it two ways: human Local Energy is enthusiasm and action for a local cause, and technical Local Energy is energy that is either saved or generated on-site near where it is used. It takes human Local Energy to create technical Local Energy! We’ve been really excited about the positive comments and responses we’ve gotten online and in person. We’ve decided to take that idea all the way into a stand-alone event in order to bring everyone together to examine the issues, discuss alternatives, identify opportunities, and make decisions on specific actions to take in 2012 and beyond.
I really hope you’ll join us and participate! You’ll walk out of there with ways to save more energy and more money in your home or business!
As we wrap up our big Recovery Act funded grant, we’re proud of what our customers have accomplished. Businesses are saving money by reducing their operating costs through their energy efficiency improvements. Homeowners are more comfortable with their homes and their lower energy bills because of their energy efficiency improvements. Local contractors are back to work doing energy evaluations and energy improvements.
So what does the future hold for Thurston Energy?
We appreciate the trust that our customers put in us, as we walk together down the Pathway to Savings. Saving energy is not a one-shot-deal after an energy evaluation … there are new opportunities over time to save energy and save money, and Thurston Energy will continue to work with our customers.
Local Energy Guide Services – In 2012, we’ll be offering Local Energy Guide Services by subscription to homeowners and to business-people. For a modest annual fee, Thurston Energy Savers will get regular educational e-newsletters, ongoing telephone and email support to ask us questions, exclusive discounts and other offers from the contractors on our Vendor Network, and access to great financing through the local credit unions that are Thurston Energy Lenders.
Solar Energy Solutions – Further, Thurston Energy will put more emphasis on solar energy solutions in 2012, as many of our customers have already made energy efficiency improvements, and are excited and ready to move on to solar photovoltaic (PV) or hot water systems as a next step. We have a new program coming that will offer unsecured loans at the rock-bottom interest rate of 3% for PV systems that customers purchase through our network of contractors and credit unions.
Community Solar Education – We will also continue to teach people how to participate in Community Solar projects, where private individuals get together to purchase and own PV systems that are installed on government buildings or properties. In 2012, there will be numerous opportunities to participate in Community Solar projects, as the Cities of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, and Rainier, the Port of Olympia and Thurston County all evaluate and make available some of their facilities. Through our partners, Thurston Energy will strive to help interested citizens learn how to be considered for providing the PV systems for these projects.
Share with Other Communities – We’ve learned a lot over the last two years, and we’re going to share that with other communities as much as we can. The Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC) collaborates with our neighboring counties on a regular basis, and EDC will share the lessons learned from our Local Energy Program. Throughout the State of Washington, communities are struggling to build our local economies, and Thurston Energy will look for opportunities to help other communities create Local Energy Programs to save energy and save money.
TCAT Energy Advisory Committee – Thurston Energy is working here at home with the Thurston Climate Action Team to convene staff leaders and elected officials from Thurston County, Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, Rainier, Port of Olympia, Puget Sound Energy, LOTT Clean Water Alliance, Intercity Transit, The Evergreen State College, Thurston Regional Planning Council, WSU Extension Energy Program, Board of REALTORS, Olympia Master Builders and others to ask and answer the question: “How far and how fast should we pursue energy efficiency and renewable energy in our community?” There are strong economic and environmental benefits to energy efficiency and renewable energy, but they require investment and willpower. This group provides the governmental and community context for saving energy and saving money – and their leadership and actions will set the stage for individual businesses and homeowners to take individual actions to do the same.
Which brings us right back to where we started with the Local Energy Convergence. Because the goal is to have the TCAT Energy Advisory Committee to work on a set of goals related to Local Energy (How far? How fast?) and then everyday people in our community will come together during the Local Energy Convergence on January 31 to answer the question “How do we do it?”.
There are so many great opportunities and so many reasons to pursue energy efficiency and renewable energy … I can’t wait to keep going in 2012!
So let’s get started … visit www.localenergynow.org/conference and contact us about sponsoring, speaking or participating!
