Our Role:

YVSC engages with nonprofit, government and industry partners in scoping our work to advocate for well-planned, clean energy infrastructure and beneficial electrification. We advocate for and provide education, technical assistance and needed services that increase energy efficiency and facilitate the transition to low or no-carbon energy. We also work to catalyze and support workforce development opportunities that strengthen local capacity and vibrant regional economic development. We will connect industry partners with local clients to increase adoption of energy technologies that reduce overall energy use.

Why it Matters:

As electricity generation becomes less carbon intensive, energy policy is promoting beneficial electrification and renewed efforts to increase energy efficiency in new and existing buildings.

Regionally, there are several challenges to the transition towards low or no-carbon energy. The rate structure of the local utility has lower incentives for solar and renewable energy than other regions in the state. Labor shortages are a key challenge to scaling up beneficial electrification and energy efficiency: there is a lack of qualified contractors and skilled labor, and overall contractor labor costs are very high due to limited supply.

Emissions from stationary, commercial and residential buildings were the largest producers of greenhouse gas emissions in the 2018 Routt County Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Forecasted Emissions Report, making it a key priority to meet the region’s decarbonization goals. Investing in well-planned, inclusive clean energy infrastructure and technology has the potential to increase economic growth while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Improving energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings is an important way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save on operating costs and create safer and more comfortable living and working environments. 

Click the links below to learn more about the work YVSC is doing in each of these sectors.