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November's ballot is a welcome change from the crowded ones of recent years. But what that ballot lacks in sheer number of measures it makes up for in the remarkable opportunity for Eagle County to create jobs while improving the energy performance of our homes and businesses.
Passage of ballot measure 1A would create the Energy Smart Local Improvement District that will allow Eagle County property owners to finance energy improvements at low rates with payments spread over the entire life of those improvements, even if property changes ownership. The program is entirely voluntary — property owners who do not wish to participate in the program will not pay any additional taxes or fees. They will not be impacted financially in any way.
As a participant, you would pay back energy loans through your property taxes. You only pay back what you borrow. If you don't borrow any money, your taxes cannot be increased for this program. Your property taxes cannot be increased to pay for others' Energy Smart loans. Moreover, your monthly housing payment could immediately decrease if you borrow money under the Energy Smart Loan Program because the energy savings may more than offset the cost of the improvements.
Eligible energy improvements include upgrading insulation, replacing inefficient heating systems, upgrading lighting systems and fixtures, sealing air leakages and installing solar electric and solar hot water. These improvements will generate work for local contractors, immediately creating construction jobs in Eagle County.
Unlike a conventional homeequity loan, an Energy Smart loan does not affect your credit, and it does not require you to repay it when you sell your home ( although it allows you to do so). If you live in an incorporated area ( Vail, Avon, Minturn, Red Cliff, Eagle, Gypsum or Basalt), your jurisdiction will have to opt into the special district before you can take out an Energy Smart loan.
The intent of the Energy Smart Local Loan Program is to provide the tools for Eagle County families and businesses to finance energy efficiency and renewable- energy improvements — without raising taxes.
Visit www. energysmart eagle. org for more information on the program. And don't forget to send in your mail ballot this year with a “yes” vote on 1A! Be Energy Smart! Promote green- collar jobs! Vote YES on 1A!
— Megan Gilman, Craig Tate, Dave Argo, John Gitchell, Matt Teeters, Jim Guida, Rebecca Hollister, Adam Palmer, Chris Romer, Kristen Bertuglia and Matt Scherr The board of the Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability
Passage of ballot measure 1A would create the Energy Smart Local Improvement District that will allow Eagle County property owners to finance energy improvements at low rates with payments spread over the entire life of those improvements, even if property changes ownership. The program is entirely voluntary — property owners who do not wish to participate in the program will not pay any additional taxes or fees. They will not be impacted financially in any way.
As a participant, you would pay back energy loans through your property taxes. You only pay back what you borrow. If you don't borrow any money, your taxes cannot be increased for this program. Your property taxes cannot be increased to pay for others' Energy Smart loans. Moreover, your monthly housing payment could immediately decrease if you borrow money under the Energy Smart Loan Program because the energy savings may more than offset the cost of the improvements.
Eligible energy improvements include upgrading insulation, replacing inefficient heating systems, upgrading lighting systems and fixtures, sealing air leakages and installing solar electric and solar hot water. These improvements will generate work for local contractors, immediately creating construction jobs in Eagle County.
Unlike a conventional homeequity loan, an Energy Smart loan does not affect your credit, and it does not require you to repay it when you sell your home ( although it allows you to do so). If you live in an incorporated area ( Vail, Avon, Minturn, Red Cliff, Eagle, Gypsum or Basalt), your jurisdiction will have to opt into the special district before you can take out an Energy Smart loan.
The intent of the Energy Smart Local Loan Program is to provide the tools for Eagle County families and businesses to finance energy efficiency and renewable- energy improvements — without raising taxes.
Visit www. energysmart eagle. org for more information on the program. And don't forget to send in your mail ballot this year with a “yes” vote on 1A! Be Energy Smart! Promote green- collar jobs! Vote YES on 1A!
— Megan Gilman, Craig Tate, Dave Argo, John Gitchell, Matt Teeters, Jim Guida, Rebecca Hollister, Adam Palmer, Chris Romer, Kristen Bertuglia and Matt Scherr The board of the Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability
