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Thursday, July 10, 2008

Town Council Discusses Alternative Energy

By Lee Ross
Mountain View Telegraph
      Edgewood is toying with an electric idea.
    At the June 2 meeting, Councilor John Abrams introduced a resolution to look into wind and solar power production in the town. The resolution involved forming a committee to look into how that could be accomplished.
    “I think that the committee part of it is going to be key,” Councilor Glenn Felton said.
    Councilor Rita-Loy Simmons said she felt that nuclear energy should also be considered, suggesting that it is a cheaper form of energy. Abrams disagreed and said he would bring information to the next council meeting on July 16.
    Councilor Brad Hill said he plans to present information on energy-efficient homes at the next council meeting on Aug. 6. Hill is the executive director of the Foundation for Building, which certifies homes as complying with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and Build Green New Mexico standards.
    His presentation will deal with the energy standards for new homes that were adopted by the city of Santa Fe and being considered by Santa Fe County. He said the city currently requires homes to be designed to be rated 70 or better according to Home Energy Rating System standards.
    The number is determined by modeling a building's energy use based on things like the insulation, windows, heating and cooling systems and any power produced by alternative energy in the building plans. The lower the score, the better the home's energy efficiency.
    In a phone conversation, Hill said adopting higher standards is one way Edgewood might make a significant impact.
    “We use twice as much energy heating and cooling in the built environment as in transportation,” he said, referring to national averages.
    Hill said that by changing the way that buildings are built, small municipalities like Edgewood might have a significant impact on the nation's energy needs. Aside from that, if the county adopts the same standards as the city of Santa Fe, bringing Edgewood in line will make the codes a little less complicated for builders.
    Meanwhile, the town is continuing to try to complete its wastewater treatment plant. A request for proposals to build a collection pond is advertised and a qualified builder may be found as soon as the end of this month, according to Karen Mahalick, the town's development director. She said the plant may be completed by the middle of 2009.
    The council also considered purchasing an ATV.
    Hill clarified that the town was not considering the purchase of a vehicle for joy riding.
    “There's ATVs and there's ATVs,” he said.
    The vehicle could be loaded with tools, used for snow removal on town sidewalks and could be used to patrol and maintain the town's open spaces.
    Additional budget adjustments may be needed to hire additional road department employees, a part-time maintenance and grounds person, additional pay for library staff and librarian, all of which were discussed briefly at the meeting. The town is looking into finding a permanent office assistant.
    Including Tracey Sweat, who was hired on a temporary basis, there were almost 50 applications for the position. An interview committee to sort through the applicants consists of Mayor Robert Stearley, Mahalick and Acting Town Administrator Clerk/Treasurer Estefanie Muller. Simmons signed on as a tentative member of the committee.
   

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