Energizer Newsletter
April 25, 2008
Volume 1, Issue 6
The Live Wire EmPowered E3 (Extension’s Energy Exchange)
by Gary Hall
Coordinator, Research and Outreach Activities
Extension
Governor’s Energy Office Meeting
The thrust of the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) is to generate high impact now, according to Seth Portner, Deputy Director. Some of the Energy Work Team and Deb Young sat down with staff from the GEO to determine how we could work together.
Much is happening in the energy arena as you already know but even more is on the horizon. With programs on wind, solar, biomass and energy efficiency coming out of the GEO there will be even more interest from the public and probably from your county commissioners.
Some ideas that were generated from the meeting:
- Develop a home and whole farm energy audit checklist. This would get people thinking about energy and perhaps consider various energy alternatives after completing the audit.
Utilize Michael Kostrzewa for wind questions and information. He is administering the GEO’s wind anemometer program. Here is Michael’s contact info: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Campus Delivery 1374, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1374, (970) 491-7709 (phone), (970) 221-8163 (cell), michael@engr.colostate.edu - Generate a list of contractors who can install good equipment. Colorado is lacking in a list of this sort. If you know of good contractors out there please contact Leigh Fortson leigh.fortson@colostate.edu with their contact info. I can remember one solar guy in Westcliffe that I could add to the list. Just can’t make my memory come up with his business name.
- You might want to check with your county commissioners to see what their plans are concerning energy. This also might be an opportunity for you to tell them that CSU Extension is working on the energy issues.
- Conduct regular teleconference calls with the GEO to determine how we can all work together and educate folks about energy.
CSU Extension has a great opportunity to work in energy and translate information to the people of Colorado. We can become the energy information brokers for all the people who are going to be interested in knowing how they can reduce their energy bill.
Energy Future
Deb Young has asked Leigh Fortson to continue this newsletter and keep the website up and running. Should you have ideas for articles or on how to improve the web page, please contact Leigh.
A great bunch of folks have expressed interest in forming an energy work team. Stay tuned for further developments on that front.
I have tons of other stuff to share with you but this newsletter is getting too long. Be sure to watch the website for more information.
A Personal Energy Transformation
“Energy is subject to the law of conservation of energy. According to this law, energy can neither be created (produced) nor destroyed itself. It can only be transformed,” according to Wikipedia.
I have enjoyed using my energy to further CSU Extension whether as a County Director or as an “Energy Czar,” as Leigh Fortson has labeled me. The time has come to transform my energy to efforts with Iowa State University Extension as a County Director.
Today is my last day with CSU Extension. Judy just came in to tell me we are going to enjoy ice cream in honor of the occasion! It has been a great privilege for me to have had the opportunity to work in Colorado. I thank those who made that opportunity possible.
You have all my best wishes for a successful Extension program in Colorado. Should there be anything I can do from Iowa to help with that success please contact me at gary.hall@iastate.edu.
Gary Hall
Coordinator, Research and Outreach Activities
Colorado State University Extension
1311 S college, University square Building, 4040
Fort Collins, CO 80523-4040
(970) 491-5443, Cell (719) 440-0453, FAX (970) 491-6208
Gary.Hall@ColoState.EDU
Updated Monday, August 29, 2011