Energy Future of a Small Town

Planning for a “world without oil,” the mayor of the mountain town of Nederland, CO, population 3,000, recently gathered the community online to take part in an Energy Futures planning process.

Residents were asked to act “as if” they had only one year to make a rapid change to renewable energy and energy conservation. When the 30-day community discussion was complete, Mayor Laura Farris affirmed that the proposed ideas were “completely do-able.”

Ideas included using Barker Dam as both a regional water supply system, but also as an aquafarm for fish. Beetle ravaged forests surrounding the town would be managed by town residents and sustainably cut timber would be converted into wood pellets for sale throughout the region. One participant even alerted the town to a wood pellet plant now up for sale in a neighboring state.

What this process shows is that when you tap into the wisdom of the community, those with expertise or experience become the town’s most valued resource … and best of all … it’s offered for free.