Climate News

FLORIDA COMPANY CONSIDERS PUMPED STORAGE PROJECT AT TWENTYMILE MINE

A Florida-based company is applying for permits to research the possibility of converting the caverns of Twentymile Mine into a reservoir to create a pumped storage power facility. If implemented, the project could generate 547,500 megawatts of power per year and run for six hours per day, according to the Yampa Valley Bugle.

Twentymile Mine is currently used for coal mining under Peabody Energy, though the application timeline outlines plans to submit a full permit application for the new project in four years.

As the local energy grid moves toward renewables, the project could present a carbon-free way to add more reliability and capacity, aligning with the CAP goal to increase the proportion of renewable energy consumed in the community.

Climate Win

COLORADO, ICELAND LEADERS MEET ON GEOTHERMAL

Colorado state officials hosted representatives from the Icelandic Embassy and Green by Iceland during a clean energy summit in Denver in June. The meetings focused on the advancing technology of geothermal and collaborative opportunities to create clean energy. Colorado and Iceland are both geothermal leaders, with geothermal energy representing about 30% of Iceland’s power on the grid. 

Governor Polis continues to promote the essential role geothermal technology will play in achieving net-zero emissions in Colorado by 2050, and is committed to advancing this clean energy technology throughout the state through the Governor’s The Heat Beneath Our Feet Initiative.

A continued partnership with Iceland will help bring the country’s century’s worth of clean energy knowledge and technology to Colorado, making geothermal energy technologies more accessible and affordable.

Climate Win

CAP CLIMATE COLUMN: NEW DEVELOPMENT CODE A WIN FOR HABITAT, CLIMATE



The Pilot is now running a bi-monthly CAP Climate column. This month's column is focused on the county's recently adopted Unified Development Code (UDC). The updated code includes multiple provisions that will help ensure that future growth in the county avoid sensitive habitats and help store carbon in our soils and vegetation – important climate actions. 

The new code aligns with previous targets the county set in 2021 for reducing carbon emissions through the Routt County Climate Action Plan, and includes many of the recommendations provided by the CAP Land Use Working Group to conserve and restore natural habitats to help store carbon and increase resilience.

Climate Win

USFS REFORESTED OVER 50,000 TREES IN BURN SCARS SO FAR THIS YEAR



US Forest Service has planted about 53,000 lodgepole pine trees across 100 acres of land in the Silver Creek and Muddy Slide Fire burn scars so far this year. These plantings help local forests regrow after intense wildfire conditions have inhibited their ability to come back naturally. Intense wildfires are more common now that climate change is contributing to drier and hotter summers in our region.

Next year, USFS plans to continue its work and plant 130,000 trees in the Big Red Park burn scar. The organization is also working to collect lodgepole pine cones, and has already collected enough to grow 43,000 seedlings for future plantings.

Action You Can Take

HELP CONDUCT REGENERATION SURVEYS

Regenerative surveys, which help inform where to plant trees, were an essential first step for USFS's replanting efforts at Silver Creek and Muddy Slide burn scars, and more help is needed. YVSC is seeking volunteers late August and through September to observe vegetation and record types and quantities returning at the Silver Creek burn scar on Rabbit Ears. Email Dakota Dolan (dakota@yvsc.org) to sign up or learn more.

Climate News



EDUCATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE KEY TO INCREASING BIKE SAFETY

Getting more people on bikes and out of their cars remains an important CAP Transportation goal. Doing this in a safe manner falls in the hands of both cyclists and drivers. A recent informal Pilot poll found 70% of Routt County cyclists felt unsafe on county roads. Combatting this insecurity will take better education on the part of both cyclists and drivers of the rules of the road and trail.

Lack of safe bike infrastructure along certain roads may also be contributing to the problem. Routt County’s Department of Public Health is looking to improve bike safety and wants to hear from you. Email Routt County Public Health Educator Madysen Linsacum (mlinsacum@co.routt.co.us) with your feedback on needed improvements.

Climate News

RURAL ELECTRIC VEHICLE DRIVERS STAND TO SAVE ON GAS

Rural electric vehicle (EV) drivers are sharing stories of saving money on gas thanks to their switch to electric. Because rural drivers must travel longer distances, they consume over 26% of light duty vehicle gas nationwide.

Upon switching to an EV, one family of five reported saving over $1,800 annually. With EV readiness plans rolling out across the country, finding access to charging stations is becoming easier, even in rural areas.

Climate Win



PAINTCARE COLLECTS 20,000 POUNDS OF PAINT FOR RECYCLING

PaintCare assisted 203 people dropping off 20,000 pounds of paint during a paint recycling event at Steamboat Springs Middle School in June. Items dropped off included 16,373 pounds of latex and 3,496 pounds of oil-based products, along with 38 gallons of usable paint donated to community members, according to the Steamboat Pilot.

In addition to drop-off events, PaintCare facilitates year-round paint drop-off at Ace Hardware and Sherwin Williams in Steamboat.

Action You Can Take

CONTRACTORS, HELP WITH CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION STUDY

The City of Steamboat Springs and Routt County Regional Building Department are looking for input on their Construction and Demolition (C&D) Diversion study.

The goal of the study is to learn the challenges and opportunities for landfill diversion as it pertains to building materials.

Share your thoughts by completing the survey below by August 9. Contact Alicia Archibald at aarchibald@steamboatsprings.net for more ways to get involved.

Climate Win

10 YAMPA VALLEY GREEN BUSINESSES EARN STATE-LEVEL RECOGNITION

The Colorado Green Business Network of the Yampa Valley (CGBN-YV) is excited to announce that 10 local green businesses and organizations earned state level recognition during the 2024 application cycle. Each year businesses registered through the Colorado Green Business Network can complete surveys focused on policy and leadership and resource reduction to earn points for Bronze, Silver and Gold recognition.

Silver:

Cowgirl Compost CO

Steamboat Engineering and Design, Inc.

Steamboat Ski and Resort Company

Sunniemade

Bronze:

Elevated Mountain Apparel LLC

Gravity Haus (Steamboat)

LiftUp of Routt County

Northwest Data Services

Seedhouse Coffee Roasters

UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center

Read more about why credibility counts for eco-conscious consumers.

Action You Can Take



CELEBRATE AND MEET YOUR GREEN BUSINESS LEADERS!

Date: Tuesday, September 17

Time: Noon-1:30 p.m.

Location: Library Hall, Bud Werner Memorial Library.

Join CGBN-YV for a celebration of Yampa Valley's green businesses and organizations.

CGBN-YV participants will have the opportunity to host a table and talk with the public about their products and services, and share what they are doing in the green business space.

The free, public event will be interactive and informal with lunch served. Registration is required.

Email Ashley Dean (ashley@yvsc.org) with questions.

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