At the end of the decade, the city of Cortez hopes to reduce its fossil-fuel consumption of existing buildings by 15 percent.
Municipal leaders plan to discuss options for installing a net meter solar array for its government buildings at a workshop tonight. Officials indicate rooftop solar panels are inefficient, so instead they will examine the possibility of a solar farm.
“The discussion tonight is to update the City Council on the challenges we still face to make a net meter solar array a reality,” said City Manager Shane Hale.
Local renewable-energy expert Todd Kearns and Empire Electric general manager Neil Stephens are both expected to make presentations to council members.
Net metering allows residential and commercial customers who generate their own electricity from solar panels to feed electricity they do not use back into the grid.
A Cortez Comprehensive Plan calls for long-term community investments that have a positive impact and save taxpayers money.
Scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m., the City Council’s agenda includes:
A public hearing to allow code enforcement officers to issue summons and tickets.
An examination of separate grants for The Piñon Project and The Recovery Center
A resolution to support Referendum 5D for the Montezuma-Cortez Hospital District.
A look at tree-pruning bids for work in City Park
A look at an ordinance to allow tastings inside liquor stores.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com