Good question! There happen to be a bunch of renewable energy – conservation brainiacs on Vashon and we’ve been haunting them for ideas and a plan. So far this is what we’ve put together.

A Coal Free Zone is any residence, neighborhood, business, or community that combines enough investment in conservation and renewable energy generation that they no longer create a demand for coal-fired power.

Therefore, your household has a couple of ways to become a Coal Free Zone. We are hoping you’ll do everything you can, including organizing your friends.  Here are the steps:

1. Become “Energy Wise” to Save Money and Create Green Jobs in
   Our Community
   

   One of the great videos at WisEnergy diy section

   • Check out WisEnergy- an amazing project to help you get your home weatherized. With a goal of 200 island homes a year – whether you are a diy type or ready to hire others, WisEnergy will help you get an energy audit, learn about rebates and tax credits, and learn what you can do to make your home more comfortable, healthy and efficient. WisEnergy is even working to organize an innovative lending program to help you finance a weatherization that will painlessly  pay for itself! Learn more at their great website
   • As we invest in our homes, we invest in our neighbors. Take the money that would have gone to pay for coal-generated power (or other dirty source such as oil) to heat a wasteful, drafty house and redirect it to islanders eager for meaningful work. Qualified local contractors can weatherize our homes, replace old heating systems, or upgrade our lighting and We All Win!
2. Support Renewable Energy here and around the region.
   

   Artisan Electric Installations

   • Join the PSE Green Energy Program that allows you to buy renewable energy. This innovative program, pioneered by islander Rob Harmon is gaining steam around the country. Through it, your dollars go to investment in green power around the region. It costs you very little – only $.0125 more per kWh to buy 100% Green Power. ($10-12 a month for the average household). Sign-up
     Now!
   • Sustainable Vashon’s Green Power Challenge reached its goal to enroll 110 new Green Power participants in 2010, guaranteeing our island  
     $10,000 from PSE for a community solar project! PSE will grant us $5,000 more when we sign up an additional 60 Vashonites. Get details at  Sustainable Vashon’s website.
   • Artisan Electric is a local Solar Installer that has already installed numerous solar arrays on the island including at the Vashon Land Trust organized by Sustainable Vashon.  ChrisBSloar is also an experienced Vashon-based solar installer.  Chris was one of the original organizers of the Vashon Solar Tour.
3. ORGANIZE! -
   

   Designed by Richard Joffray

   • Coal Free by 2015? If you want to volunteer to help Vashon-Maury or Washington State meet this goal contact the Backbone Campaign and we’ll find a way for you to use your personal energy to make a difference.
   • Community Solar project on Vashon? If you are interested in working with others to organize a community solar project email the Backbone Campaign (or call 206-408-8058)
4. Declare Your Home a Coal-Free Zone – and qualify for a cool CFZ Driveway Sign!
   Once you can show that:
   1. Through Conservation your household/business consumption is 36% below average Energy Intensity*
   2. AND your investment in renewable energy (PSE Green Energy program or other project) greens the rest of your electricity use…

THEN – You will qualify for a Coal-Free Zone sign for your driveway or business!

NEXT STEP – Get your workplace and/or neighborhood to qualify as a Coal Free Zone too!

* Energy Used = kWh (per year) ÷ Square Footage (Floor Area of House)

Related to your Energy Intensity is measuring your potential savings through conservation.  This is especially helpful if you currently heat with sources other than electricity such as oil or LP.**  Though only a qualified energy auditor can give you a real estimate, a useful formula to measure your potential for savings and conservation is:
Cost of power consumed in a year ÷ Square footage = $ ? per sq. ft

If you are spending $1 per square foot a year you are likely already doing pretty well.  IF you are spending $3 per square foot per year you have a LOT to gain in both conservation and the money you will save through aggressive weatherization.

For example: A typical 2,000 sq. ft. Vashon home with above average energy intensity may cost $3 per square foot per year to heat and power.   An aggressive weatherization for that house may cost $20,000. The owner may realize a 50% savings on their power consumption (and improve air quality, comfort, and reduce their carbon footprint!).   That’s an annual savings of $3,000 per year, or $250 a month.  If owner financed, the weatherization pays for itself in less that seven years.  If financed at 5% and amortized over ten years, a monthly payment of $212 means that the owner has not only improved the value of their house, they are saving $38 a month from day one!

Can we make Vashon a Coal Free Zone by 2015? – to quote one of our brainiacs, “Tough but Possible.”  So let’s start TODAY!

** The Coal Free Zone project will honor your reduction in energy use, even if it means moving from oil or LP to electricity, IF you “Green” that electricity by buying into the PSE Green Power or clean renewable other project.  Our goal is to eventually move away from all fossil fuel use through conservation and clean renewable generation.  A Coal Free Zone by 2015, is a first step.  Perhaps Fossil Fuel  Free Families to achieve 80% Carbon reduction be 2025  is next