About the Resource & Energy Action Plan (REAP)
Mission
Ensure Southwest Colorado uses resources and energy
effectively and efficiently to create economic opportunities and improve
quality of life by developing and implementing the Resource &
Energy Action Plan.
Vision
Southwest Colorado will REAP the
benefits of effective use of resources and sustain a thriving region of
rural, agricultural, and mountainous communities.
Background
The Governor's Energy Office (GEO), in promoting Colorado's New Energy
Economy, is providing funds for Community Energy Coordinators (CECs) to
develop and facilitate the implementation of regional energy efficiency
and conservation strategies. 4CORE is Southwest Colorado's CEC.
4CORE, with input from the REAP Advisory Board and work
groups, will develop a local strategy for saving energy and creating
jobs in rural, agricultural and mountainous regions of southwest
Colorado. Job creation is a focus of these efforts and could include
strategies such as training in building science or energy efficiency
specialties, providing grant opportunities for local businesses to
implement efficiency measures, or creating a demand for these services
through consumer education.
4CORE will work with
partners in Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, and San Juan
counties to help boost the local economy and increase energy
independence and security.
Components of the
regional plan could include residential and commercial building audits
and retrofits, education and training for contractors on energy
efficiency and renewable energy opportunities, attracting new energy
efficiency and renewable energy businesses to the community, identifying
opportunities to reduce energy related impacts of transportation,
material conservation programs, and water conservation plans.