energy diversification
Currently Delta Montrose Electric Association (DMEA) our member-owned and locally controlled rural cooperative sends $42 million dollars out of the county to purchase energy. DCED supports DMEA's efforts to purchase local renewable energy. If we achieve 50% of our energy coming from local renewable sources we will keep $21 million dollars within our counties generating local economic development. Delta County has significant opportunities to generate power locally particularly related to solar, hydro and coal mine methane. |
Energy Diversification and Energy Efficiency
This year DCED partnered with Paonia based Solar Energy International and local solar installer, Empowered Energy Systems to conduct a countywide program "Solarize Delta County", putting solar on residential and business rooftops. In December 2016, Delta County opted in to the Colorado Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (“C-PACE”) program. C-PACE uses the existing public-sector structures of improvement and assessment districts to create a voluntary statewide district, called the New Energy Improvement District (NEID), for funding various energy and water improvements. If counties choose to opt-in to the NEID, then commercial property owners in those territories will be able to access a valuable new tool that will improve access to financing in Colorado.