The Western Colorado Carbon Neutral Bioenergy Consortium (WCCNBC)
The Colorado Department of Agriculture's Advancing Colorado's Renewable Energy (ACRE) Program works to promote the investigation and development of agriculture energy-related projects that benefit Colorado's agriculture industry. The ACRE program provides funding to complete feasibility studies, project development, and scientific research in renewable energy technologies including biofuels development, biomass conversion, micro-hydroelectricity, and wind and solar energy. The WCCNBC is currently receiving funds from the ACRE program to complete the groups first study - “Evaluation of Perennial Plant Species and Production Inputs for Sustainable Biomass and Bioenergy Production in Western Colorado”
The United State Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service's Forage and Range Research Laboratory (FRRL) in Logan, Utah is supporting the consortium with biomass crop selection. The FRRL is recognized as the international center of excellence for integrated research in breeding, genomics, and ecological applications of perennial plants for dry temperate environments.
The efforts of The WCCNBC fit nicely with other regional efforts to develop renewable energy in the region including The Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative (GNECI), a regional collaboration of local and state governments, non-profits and clean energy businesses that have joined forces to build a clean energy economy. Given that The GNECI emphasizes the implementation of solar technologies and improvements to energy efficiency, the WCCNBC will help bring clarity to the regional opportunities that exist for bioenergy and carbon sequestration through applied research, education, and demonstration.
Currently, the Governor's Energy Office (GEO) is focusing its biofuel efforts on transportation fuels. While biofuels alone are not the solution to our transportation challenges, they offer an option. GEO recognizes the role of biofuels, along with hybrid vehicle technologies, improved mass transit and more efficient vehicles in reducing our oil dependency. The GEO endorses the research efforts of the WCCNBC and looks forward to working with the consortium to usher in sensible biofuels development on the Western Slope of Colorado.
One of Extension’s most urgent needs is to learn about clean energy so that we can educate and promote the information to communities throughout the state—and possibly the Western U.S. With offices in 59 of 64 counties in Colorado, and a reputation for delivering unbiased, research-based information, Extension Agents are in a prime position to be the educators of the public.
Colorado State University's Clean Energy Strategic Initiative Team (CESIT) is a program within Extension that trains agents about the basics of wind, solar, biomass/biofuels, geothermal/hydropower, energy efficiency and community development as it relates to renewables. With even an elementary understanding, agents can teach clean energy solutions and value-added opportunities for homeowners, farmers, ranchers and businesses.
The WCCNBC is working with CESIT to provide Extension Agents with regionally pertinent information on bioenergy and biofuels.
Colorado State University's Clean Energy Strategic Initiative Team (CESIT) is a program within Extension that trains agents about the basics of wind, solar, biomass/biofuels, geothermal/hydropower, energy efficiency and community development as it relates to renewables. With even an elementary understanding, agents can teach clean energy solutions and value-added opportunities for homeowners, farmers, ranchers and businesses.
The WCCNBC is working with CESIT to provide Extension Agents with regionally pertinent information on bioenergy and biofuels.
Since 1967, Aspen Valley Land Trust (AVLT) has helped private landowners preserve over 30,000 acres of working family ranches, scenic viewsheds, riparian and wildlife habitat, and recreational areas in the Roaring Fork and upper Colorado River watersheds. As the oldest land trust in Colorado, AVLT is a widely known and trusted community based non-profit organization serving the greater Roaring Fork Valley and Colorado River Valley west of Glenwood Springs, which includes parts of Pitkin, Garfield, Eagle, Mesa and Gunnison Counties.
AVLT endorses the efforts of the WCCNBC, and will work to educate landowners about the prospect of growing bioenergy crops on conserved ranches and farms in western Colorado as the project progresses.
AVLT endorses the efforts of the WCCNBC, and will work to educate landowners about the prospect of growing bioenergy crops on conserved ranches and farms in western Colorado as the project progresses.
