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Letter: Support Garfield Clean Energy

Cari S. Kaplan
Carbondale

Several months ago, I was lucky enough to stumble upon an advertisement in the Post Independent about a complimentary energy audit offered through the Garfield Clean Energy Program. I immediately contacted the fine folks at CLEER, who manage this program, and it has been one of the most fulfilling opportunities I have experienced in my 22 years living in the Roaring Fork Valley. I spoke with Maisa Metcalf, who through her incredible knowledge and professionalism, got started on my energy-savings-pot-of-gold. I cannot express my gratitude enough to Maisa, Matt Shmigelsky, their co-workers at CLEER, Rich Backe from Building Performance Contractors and Bob and Mary Layman from Woodpecker Workshop. Beyond just doing their jobs as energy auditors and building contractors, these folks are incredibly passionate about helping homeowners not only save money with energy improvements, but also about the bigger picture of reducing our carbon footprint.

As I sit here and write this letter, Rich Backe, a general contractor who specializes in energy-efficient building, happened to just stop by because he wanted to see the finished projects in my basement. He remembered he had an extra slab of foam insulation board and came up with a use for it immediately. I never asked him to do this — he simply just cares.

I told Maisa I feel like I won a lottery with all these upgrades. I have been spreading the good word to all my neighbors, all of whom are working-class families, to take advantage of this program while we are lucky enough to have the funding. I plead to you all to continue funding this extremely vital community asset. If all my neighbors could have some better insulation, more efficient lighting, leaks sealed, energy-star refrigerators, serviced furnaces, etc., then they would all save many dollars a month and have more money to spend on a family dinner out, a trip to the hot springs, some new landscaping or maybe even a new, less polluting vehicle. Thus, all businesses will benefit in the long run. Let’s keep looking forward at the big picture and keep our county clean, beautiful, vibrant and economically prosperous.



Thank you again for making this program a possibility.


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