Colorado Governor Bill Ritter just announced the winner’s of his 2010 Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards, and CRES is extremely proud to have two of its Board Members among them!

These awards honor outstanding contributions made by individuals and organizations to protect Colorado’s environment, diversify the state’s energy portfolio and provide clean power through renewable energy.

“Colorado is blessed with a creative and entrepreneurial spirit that is at the heart of our New Energy Economy,” Gov. Ritter said. “Congratulations to these organizations and individuals who are building a new economic future, creating new jobs, protecting our state’s unique environment and increasing our energy security.”

Individual: Terry Meikle has advanced efforts to research and successfully test woody biomass as a power source for Colorado Springs Utilities. Using the forest debris as a fuel source is expected to replace 75,000 tons of coal a year starting in 2011. Additionally, the shift saves natural resources, diversifies energy supplies, creates a market for beetle-kill and forest debris, and reduces fossil carbon emissions. The work earned Colorado Springs Utilities a $250,000 woody biomass utilization grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture last year. Terry is also on the CRES Board of Directors as liaison to its Southeast Colorado Regional Group ( http://secres.wordpress.com ).

Institution: Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association serves over 35,000 consumers in Larimer, Weld and Boulder counties. Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association has worked with customers to add 20 solar and wind systems, generating roughly 75 kilowatts of renewable energy. Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association also partnered with the StEPP Foundation, Center for Resource Conservation, Namaste Solar and the St. Vrain School District to install a 25-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system at Lyons High School, and support a renewable energy curriculum. PVREA will also be purchasing electricity generated from methane gas captured at the Larimer County Landfill. Roger Alexander is not only on the PVREA Board of Directors, but is also on the CRES Board of Directors as liaison to its Northern Colorado Regional Group ( www.ncres.org )

Additional information about Terry Meikle’s and Roger Alexander’s association with and contributions to CRES are available at:
www.cres-energy.org/about_org.html#Regional_Representatives

You can also meet Terry, Roger, and all of the CRES Board, Staff, and membership at the 2010 CRES Annual Meeting, Party, and Silent Auction – 6:30 PM on Friday, February 26, at the Colorado History Museum, 1300 Broadway in Denver. Guests can enjoy delicious food & drinks, win a wide variety of valuable prizes in the Silent Auction, hear updates on CRES activities, and network with leaders of Colorado’s New Energy Economy!

Reservations are required for this event, and no walk-in registrations will be accepted!

You can save 25% through Monday, February 22, by registering on the PayPal-secured CRES Web site at :
www.cres-energy.org/joinorder.html#CRES_Annual_Party

Complete information about the 2010 CRES Annual Meeting, Party, and Silent Auction is available at:
www.cres-energy.org/events/annualmtg.

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For Additional Information, Please Contact:
Phil von Hake, CRES Communications Director
303-762-8547 / philvh@aol.com