It’s been a busy year for the Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP), said new coordinator Staci Drouillard to the county board at their Feb. 23 meeting.
Drouillard recently replaced Virginia Danfelt, who held the position the last four years. In leaving, Danfelt said she planned to spend more time with her family business, Lake Superior Timber Framing, and other endeavors, but her interest in energy use remains a passion.
Formed in 2008 as a citizens’ group to coordinate a local response to the worldwide transition away from fossil fuel-based energy sources, CCLEP, said Drouillard, has worked this past year with Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to plan a community solar project that if it comes to fruition will be 40 to 80 KW and placed on the roof of the new city public works building to be built in the summer of 2016.
“In response to the rapid decrease in the cost of solar photovoltaic over the past several years, CCLEP worked to educate Cook County residents about the costs and benefits of solar power. With a grant from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation, CCLEP produced Going Solar Electric-A Cook County Guide that offers comprehensive information for what homeowners and businesses need to know in order to decide what kind and size of system works best for their particular situation,” said Drouillard.
CCLEP has also worked with Arrowhead Electric Co-op to improve and publicize their solar net metering program and community solar program, and conducted two solar power workshops and two solar home tours.
“Eighty-five people directly participated in these events,” said Drouillard adding that a solar survey of the county, while not complete, shows 62 households are totally solar with 22 connected to the grid and 40 stand alone.
“If we can reduce the overall business costs and living costs through solar energy,” said Commissioner Frank Moe, “This is a great resource.”
Moe said he was working with Drouillard and CCLEP on the new home he and his wife Sherri are building, and will incorporate solar in the project. He said CCLEP had been a great resource for his family.
CCLEP hired local residential licensed building contractor Mike Senty to replace Chris Norman, who retired from the position, as the new county Residential Energy Efficiency Program (REEP) building analyst. Senty has purchased some of Norman’s equipment and obtained his BPI certification, said Drouillard.
Commissioner Moe, said Drouillard, is also working with CCLEP and the county board to pass a joint powers agreement with the St. Paul Port Authority to offer Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing to qualified Cook County businesses and organizations.
A day-long building seminar organized by CCLEP and Cook County Extension provided continuing education credits for local contractors, and the CCLEP coordinator participated in the revision process of the Cook County Land Use Plan because the county and city of Grand Marais energy conservation and renewable energy plans are part of that component.
Commissioners thanked Drouillard for her presentation, and Board Chair Heidi Doo-Kirk noted it was nice that someone who grew up in the community was in front of the board and had found a way to make a living here.
“This is my home. I’m not going anywhere,” Drouillard said with a smile.
CCLEP is a nonprofit funded by small contributions from the city of Grand Marais, Cook County, grants and gifts. For more information, visit www.cookcountylocalenergy.org.
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