The Johnson Family Fund, McManimin Family Fund, the Hermitage Fund, and the Paradox Community Trust, all designated funds at the Telluride Foundation, are investing in a new innovative program to provide home weatherization and solar generated power to the region. The program will benefit low-income residents in the region that San Miguel Power Association (SMPA) serves. SMPA is one of five western slope energy cooperatives partnering with the Colorado Energy Office and Grid Colorado to expand community solar access to low-income families throughout the state. This program will serve low-income residents in SMPA’s service area, including San Miguel, Ouray, west Montrose County, and Rico.

Income-qualified weatherization participants will receive up to $3,000 in energy efficiency improvements per household.  Once the households complete the weatherization, they will be eligible for the SMPA Solar Program, a community solar array, enabling residents to save on their regular power bills.  The weatherization component is being administered by EcoAction Partners, and they will schedule and perform the energy audit as well as provide basic on-site weatherization improvements.

For More Information on the SMPA low-income weatherization and solar generation program, go to: https://www.smpa.com/content/current-news.