URGENT: Support Colorado Springs Community Solar

I just got this letter from the team at SunShare in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  They need support, especially from those with successful solar gardens projects in their areas.  Please read and take a moment to contact them.

Dear friends,

Community solar in Colorado Springs, CO needs YOUR HELP.  After a successful 2-year pilot program, the new City Council has issued a resolution to kill community solar as their first agenda item, which they will vote on TOMORROW.

This is extremely unfortunate, given that many of the 14 states with Solar Garden legislation have followed Colorado Springs’ lead with its first-in-the-nation 2011 2-MW Pilot Program. The new program would bring an additional 10 MW of clean energy to Colorado Springs by 2016--but if it is cut, it will reverse the positive momentum and leadership that Colorado Springs has built. 

Please take 3 minutes to write an email to allcouncil@springsgov.com to show them that investing in renewable energy is important for Colorado Springs, as well as the entire country. Also, if you are able please attend the City Council meeting at:

City Hall

107 N Nevada Ave  Colorado Springs, CO 80903

1pm Tomorrow, 4/23

If you are able to speak, please RSVP to Karen Gados at karen@mysunshare.com.  

Colorado Springs has already been a leader in community solar--it is not time to go backwards.

Thank you,

the SunShare team

www.mysunshare.com

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Here is the letter I wrote - please use it as a guide:

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Dear Council Members,

      My name is Joy Hughes – I am the founder of the Solar Gardens Institute, a Colorado nonprofit that supports community based energy development everywhere.  Our mission is as follows:

• To educate and learn from the public about community solar energy.
• To promote good community energy policy at the federal, state, and local levels
• To assist local organizations in organizing, developing, and managing community-owned solar energy projects everywhere.
• To provide a way for everyone to own solar panels, making clean energy affordable and available for all humanity.

      I was pleased to attend the Colorado Springs City Council meeting on September 27, 2011 when the Community Solar Garden program was unanimously approved http://blog.solargardens.org/2011/09/colorado-springs-city-council-votes-9-0.html.  The City became an early adopter of community solar, setting an example for municipalities around the country.  The Solar Gardens Institute has held out the Colorado Springs program as particularly well implemented, and encouraged other jurisdictions to adopt the CSU model.

      It has come to my attention that the Council might delay implementation of the program.  The Solar Gardens Institute endorses SunShare’s position, and urges the Council to continue with the expansion of Colorado Spring’s community solar gardens program. 

Many Thanks,

Joy Hughes

Founder, Solar Gardens Institute