Garfield County supporting Garfield Clean Energy

PRESS RELEASE
May 10, 2021

The Garfield County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has approved a $150,000 grant supporting Garfield Clean Energy’s (GCE) efforts to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy in the region. The grant continues the county’s membership in the GCE collaborative, along with the municipalities of Garfield County.

GCE strives for “measurable progress on energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean energy transportation while creating economic benefits.” The grant had been budgeted for in the 2021 Garfield County adopted budget and comes from the general grants BOCC fund.

Erica Sparhawk, administrator for Garfield Clean Energy, told the board that GCE has seen early success with its new Solarize Garfield County campaign, which launched on March 1 in partnership with Solar Energy International (SEI). More than 350 customers have enrolled in the program in Garfield County, so far, with 56 solar panel systems purchased.

“The idea is if a certain amount of solar is purchased, everyone who purchased it receives a discount,” she said. “The good news is we are exceeding all expectations in the enrollment numbers. People are really eager to take advantage of the opportunity. … We actually had 80 enrollments on the first day the program was available.”

Sparhawk added that a 2020 Garfield County matching grant helped GCE earn a Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) renewable energy planning grant to be used toward numerous projects, including a solar energy mapping effort that will identify all parcels in Garfield County that are suitable for solar development.

The grant was approved unanimously, 3-0. More information can be found at garfield-county.com.