What if community leaders traded in a gas-guzzling Fort Expedition for an all-wheel-drive hybrid Toyota RAV4, or a similar gas-guzzling police cruiser for a Prius?
What if La Plata Electric Association would stop towing the line for TriState, which produces 75 percent of its electricity from coal, and instead promoted or funded local solar and wind companies that they currently obstruct?
These are but a few examples of “low hanging fruit” that could easily be implemented if we, the voting public, would simply demand it.
There has been plenty of rhetoric coming from legislative boards and officials who claim to be “green” or “for renwables,” but talk is cheap and it is time for them to lead by example.
Durango and La Plata County budgets are under stress these days due mostly to the decline of the fossil energy sector, but we can minimize the pain with “win-win” solutions like these.
Reduced vehicle purchase costs and increased fuel efficiency reduce budget shortfalls while setting an example by caring for the environment. Similarly, sourcing locally produced electricity brings jobs and increased revenues to our local economy.
Having just returned from another meeting of the LPEA Board of Directors, I can assure you that they are quite content with the status quo while we who live downwind from those belching coal-fired power plants pay the bill.
It is time we, the voters, become active as LPEA prepares for an election that runs from April 13 to May 12.
Four of 12 seats are up for grabs, and it will take a considerable but doable effort to displace some well-entrenched directors.
Please be aware, do your homework and get engaged in the electoral process.
We can assure that “win-win” prevails over the retraction of our economy and reduced quality of life, while providing a healthy livable planet for our kids, grandkids and all future generations.
Nicolaas van Vonno
Durango
