Mona Newton on Community Based Energy Models

In this episode of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Mona Newton, former Executive Director of CORE (Community Office of Resource Efficiency), serving Aspen and Pitkin County, Colorado.

Ted and Mona discuss her background and early career working in Colorado’s Governor’s Energy Office, segueing into her role at CORE. CORE is an interesting community energy model made up of elected officials, utility representatives, and committed citizens to help people, businesses, municipalities, facilities and nonprofit organizations save natural resources and lower energy bills while reducing their carbon footprint.

Mona highlights three of CORE’s programs and projects: placing fees on mega-home developers to offset their carbon footprints, the genesis of the 5 MW solar farm near the Aspen Airport (and the collaboration that made it possible), as well as CORE’s work with capturing methane from abandoned coal mines, notably the five mines that constitute Coal Basin.