Rocky Mountain Power offers $$ for renewable energy projects
Wind, Solar, Biomass, Wave, Landfill Gas, Low-Impact Hydro and Geothermal projects eligible
March 9, 2008
Rocky Mountain Power is offering help to get new renewable energy projects off the ground in Utah, Wyoming and southeast Idaho through its Blue Sky program. Renewable energy projects eligible for funding awards from Rocky Mountain Power may include those that support technologies such as wind, solar, biomass, wave, landfill gas, low-impact hydro and geothermal. To be considered, interested parties must complete an application and submit it along with supporting materials by 5 p.m. on Monday, May 5, 2008.
Funding is available for projects in Rocky Mountain Power’s service area that are locally owned and produce less than 10 megawatts of electricity. Projects need to be completed within two years of the receipt of funding and focus on encouraging renewable energy market transformation.
Funding is not available for off-grid projects or projects from private individuals. For detailed criteria on project qualifications, please go to: http://www.rockymtnpower.net/Article/Article71297.html.
Applications can be found at www.rockymtnpower.net or requested by e-mailing blueskyprojects@rockymtnpower.net. Entries should be thorough, and should be submitted with supporting materials such as photographs, schematics, drawings, cut sheets, narratives or anything the applicant considers useful in the project evaluation. Materials may be submitted by mail, fax or e-mail to:
Rocky Mountain Power
Attn: Blue Sky Fund Award
One Utah Center – 24th Floor
201 S. Main
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Fax: 800-754-3114
E-mail: blueskyprojects@rockymtnpower.net
In 2007, Rocky Mountain Power awarded a total of more than $600,000 in Blue Sky funding to 14 community-based renewable energy projects in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. The amount available for funding awards will vary year to year and is yet to be determined for 2008, but applications for projects are now being accepted.
The funding comes from Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky program, where customers can purchase 100-kilowatt-hour increments of renewable energy to help encourage the development of new clean energy in the region. The growth of the award-winning Blue Sky program has already helped support small and medium-sized community-based renewable energy projects that may not otherwise be viable, going beyond the wind energy purchases made on behalf of Blue Sky customers.
Community-based renewable energy projects that received Blue Sky funding awards in 2007 included:
In Utah:
• The Leonardo at Library Square (Salt Lake City) 25 kilowatts – Solar array on the rooftop of the art, science and engineering outreach facility, with educational displays and exhibits on renewable energy inside the building.
• Clark Planetarium (Salt Lake City) 25 kilowatts – Solar array on the rooftop of the planetarium building, and an exhibit describing how solar power works which allows visitors to view a model of the installation and read instruments recording the power generated by the sunlight on the panels.
• Moab Public Radio (Moab) 12 kilowatts – Solar array on the rooftop of the station, as well as educational broadcasting promoting renewable energy. When completed, Moab Public Radio will be the first 100 percent solar-powered radio station in Utah.
• Swaner Nature Preserve (Park City) 12 kilowatts – Solar array on roof of the building supporting the on-site nature education center and assisting the preserve in achieving LEED Platinum status.
• Utah’s Hogle Zoo (Salt Lake City) 10 kilowatts – Solar array on rooftop of the zoo’s elephant exhibit to help power the planned Conservation Carousel, with a ground level educational kiosk for visitors.
• Utah State Office of Education (Salt Lake City) 7.2 kilowatts – Small wind turbines at three different locations as part of the Utah School Wind Project; includes educational plaques at each school.
• Ogden Nature Center (Ogden) 3.3 kilowatts – Wind and solar demonstration project as part of the on-site energy and nature education center, including an educational kiosk.
• Town of Alta (Alta) 3 kilowatts – Solar array on rooftop of the city administration building, with educational outreach for citizens and a goal of becoming an EPA Green Power Community.
• East High School (Salt Lake City) 1.7 kilowatts – Solar array on the rooftop of the second public school in Utah with a solar installation. Part of Renewable Synergy’s Utah Solar Schools initiative. Project completed January 2008.
• Ecker Hill International Middle School (Park City) 1.7 kilowatts – Solar array on the school’s rooftop and interactive Web curriculum. Part of Renewable Synergy’s Utah Solar Schools initiative.
In Wyoming:
• Casper College (Casper) 10 kilowatts – Wind turbine at Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center to provide a live lab for students and provide education on wind turbine testing and certification.
• National Outdoor Leadership School (Lander) 6.48 kilowatts – Solar array on the rooftop of the main administration building with system monitoring display and interpretive exhibit for students and public. Project completed December 2007.
• Girl Scout Council of Wyoming (Casper) 1.8 kilowatts – Wind turbine at Camp Sacagawea with on-site educational exhibit for campers.
In Idaho:
• City of Lava Hot Springs (Lava Hot Springs) 10 kilowatts – Solar array on the rooftop of the blower building at the city’s wastewater facility, with an educational component on the city’s Web site and on-site signage.
For more information about these projects and Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky funding award program, or to get an application, please visit www.rockymtnpower.net/blueskyfunds or e-mail blueskyprojects@rockymtnpower.net.
|
