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February 2017
Three times a week, I drag myself out of bed at 5:00 a.m. to get to an early spin class. Bruce Alston, a long-time local, health and performance counselor, and
YVSC guest blogger, teaches the class, and, for an hour, we get a workout and a life coaching session. One of the topics that Bruce talks about, while we are all sprinting and sweating, is John Maxwell's 15 Laws of Invaluable Growth, specifically the Law of Consistency.
The Law of Consistency stresses the idea that in order to make significant change, you must be consistent with your actions, which I find very relevant for the work of YVSC in this time of uncertainty and volatility. Despite the ups and downs of national politics, YVSC is staying the course, continuing to work steadily on a local level to provide energy and waste diversion programs that are accessible to all, save money, and reduce our community's carbon footprint. Through this consistent work, we are creating real change--a more sustainable and resilient community.
Please read on to learn more about YVSC's new programs for 2017.
Sarah B. Jones
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Food Waste:
Will you take the challenge?
Did you know
an average family throws 40% of their
food away, wasting approximately $1,500 every year?
What if you could buy only what you need at the grocery store, save m
oney and have less food waste?
YVSC is partnering with the EPA on a local food waste challenge, "Food too Good to Waste," to raise awareness of wasted food and change habits in our community to feed people not the landfill.
A food waste collection bucket will be provided to each family
along with weekly tips, tools and resources for waste reduction. The challenge will last six weeks from February 27 - April 10 and will culminate with a family-friendly celebration on April 18.
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Talking Green
Anaerobic Digestion: Turning Food Waste Into Energy
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
(event will start right at 5:30 p.m.)
Fellowship Hall, St. Paul's Episcopal Church
846 Oak St., Steamboat Springs, CO
Come get all the facts from CSU Associate Professor Sybil Sharvelle and learn about local initiatives to bring anaerobic digestion to the valley with Mark Berkley of Innovative Ag.
40% of food produced ends up in the landfill.
As this food
breaks down, it releases methane, a harmful greenhouse g
as. Anaerobic digestion is a process to capture this methane from decomposing food waste and
combust it to generate electricity and heat or pr
ocess it into
renewable energy and transportation fuels, essentially turning trash into cash.
Thank you to our Talking Green Sponsors!
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Renewable Energy for America (REAP) training
Wednesday, February 15
Noon - 3:30 p.m.
Moffat County CSU Extension
539 Barclay St., Craig, CO
Agriculture producers and rural small business owners are invited to this FREE USDA REAP training in Craig to learn about the process to apply for 25% grants for energy efficiency improvements for existing commercial buildings or 25% grants for renewable energy improvements for new or existing commercial buildings. Registration is required.
> RSVP to sarah@yvsc.org.
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It pays to plan ahead: Register for the Tour de Steamboat today
YVSC is one of four local nonprofit beneficiaries for
the Tour de Steamboat.
We know the summer cycling season seems a long way off in the midst of this epic winter, but when you register for the Tour by February 28, you'll be entered to win 2 passes for fat tire bike rentals at Lake Catamount Touring Center AND a two-night Tenth Mountain Division hut trip.
With four distances (26, 46, 66 or 116 miles) the Tour offers something for cyclists of all ages and abilities.
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FREE training for realtors and appraisers:
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in the Home-Buying Process
10 a.m. - noon OR 1 - 3 p.m.
Steamboat Springs Board of Realtors Conference Room
625 S Lincoln Ave #202
Local realtors, appraisers and other interested folks are invited to attend one of two FREE presentations by Nikki Maline, energy coach with Energy Smart Colorado. The two-hour presentation--where you can earn two continuing education credits--will cover the latest on new energy tools in the real estate market including energy-efficiency mortgages for existing homes, Home Energy Score, Green MLS, FHA and Fannie Mae addition of stretch debt to income ratio for buyers of energy efficient homes, and more.
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Support YVSC when you shop Amazon
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Save energy and get money back:
Cen$ible Energy rebates now available
The Cen$ible Energy program provides energy efficiency rebates for Yampa Valley Electric Association residential or small business customers. Rebates are available in five energy saving categories: LED lights (up to 10 bulbs), four types of Energy Star appliances ($80 to $100 each), programmable thermostats (up to two/up to $100), $150 toward a home energy assessment, and up to $200 for air sealing work after an energy assessment. Funding is expected to be depleted by mid-2017, so don't wait to make your home or business more energy efficient. Save your receipts and apply within 90 days of purchase.
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FREE home energy assessments for YVEA/Atmos customers
For YVEA customers who also have Atmos Energy natural gas as their primary home heating source, home energy assessments are FREE while funding lasts. (Small extra charges apply for homes larger than 3,000 square feet or located far outside of Steamboat Springs.)
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Upcoming events
Wednesday, February 15
12 - 3:30 p.m.
Moffat CSU Extension Office
539 Barclay St., Craig CO
Thursday, February 16
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Moffat CSU Extension Office
539 Barclay St., Craig CO
Tuesday, February 28
5:30 - 6:30 p.m. (event will start right at 5:30 p.m.)
Fellowship Hall, St. Paul's Episcopal Church
846 Oak St., Steamboat Springs
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Yampa Valley Sustainability Council |
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