Power Palooza Poll

Aug. 22 update: From the votes in so far, we've got a wide variety of preferences.

We would like to thank Marston Schultz for his fine work in putting together the following possible energy solutions. Marston recently started the Clean Power Cooperative of Nevada County that is now officially under way. The options below are only a few of a variety of possible community actions that can be undertaken. If you are interested in learning more about this local energy co-op or would like to join you can reach Marston at thinkingmanZZZZ at sbcglobal.net
(remove the Z's in the email address above, before replying*)

Though we are asking you to vote on your favorite idea, please do not limit yourself to just these answers. We encourage you to discuss any of your alternative solution ideas on the Brainstorming blog. Let us know why you made the choice you did and the changes you would like to see. Don’t limit yourself

Selections:

1. (1 vote) Develop a green building program with the cities and the county
   Many communities are creating Green building programs (Austin, etc.). The Clean Power Cooperative of Nevada County (the Co-op) can work with the cities and county to create a green building program. A model that could be adopted is the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) guidelines.
   Note: BriarPatch is using LEED guidelines in the construction of their new store.
   
2. (2.5 votes) Develop Solar Farms
   There are people who own acreage they are not using that could be turned into Solar Farms. There are nooks and crannies all over the county where solar panels could be installed to add to the grid. Dave Pettis, a member of our community, is ready to make 20 acres available.
   
3. (1 vote) Make the solar rebate program available to everyone
   Change the current rebate program (lobby) so that the solar array does not have to be located on the same property as the user. This will open up the rebate program to people living in apartments, people living with restrictive covenants like homeowner associations, people living on poor solar sites and historical buildings (Nevada City etc). These people can put their solar system on the solar farm mentioned above. When they move they take their solar system with them on paper. All energy generators are tied to the same grid. PG&E would have to read two meters, which they will be doing electronically in the near future. As long as you stay in the PG&E area you keep your system. If you move out of the PG&E area you sell your system to someone else or sell it to the Co-op. The Co-op, acting as broker, will then resell it to another customer.
   
4. Start a wind farm
   The high Sierras provide a potential for creating a Wind Farm. Our neighbors to the north in Plumas Sierra Rural Electric Co-op will soon by breaking ground on their Wind farm. Our current chairman of our Board is the General Manager of Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative. PSREC can mentor our project.
   
5. Sponsor an energy reduction contest
   Have the prospective contestant provide records of their energy consumption from the last year (bills from the year). Each contestant spends the next year applying energy conservation fixes to their house. During that year, the Co-op will educate the contestants on what they can do to reduce consumption. The household that reduces their consumption by the greatest percentage wins $1,000.
   
6. (1 vote) Create an associate degree in Renewable Energy at the Sierra Community College.
   College programs in Renewable Energy are popping up all over the world. Why not at our local college?
   
7. Start an Insulation Co-op
   There is a type of blown-in insulation made from recycled newspaper. Maybe we could recycle our newspapers into insulation.
   
8. (1.5 votes) Build a waste electric generation plant (or methane plant)
   Explore the possibility of building a waste to energy producing plant at the transfer station, working with the county.
   
9. Promote Advanced Renewable Tariffs
   Advanced renewable tariffs are used in Germany and now France. This program pays for extra electricity generated on home solar systems. The homeowner in Germany is credited with 10 kWhs for every one kWh generated. This rate is guaranteed for around 20 years. This means the homeowner can generate income from their solar PV system.
   
10. Other
    Describe it please.

Due to technical difficulties, we ask that you vote by email for now - please send an email to powerupnc at yahoo.com, with
PollVote=5
(or whatever number your choice is)
in the email's Subject line. If you select "Other", please explain in the body of the email.