San Miguel Power Association, Inc.

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Weatherization Representatives at San Miguel Power in September - Community representatives for the Governor's Energy Office (GEO) Low-Income Weatherization program will be at local San Miguel Power Association, Inc. (SMPA) offices in September to answer questions and help residents fill out applications.

The GEO is currently accepting applications for residents of Montrose, Delta, Ouray and San Miguel counties. SMPA members who are qualified homeowners or renters can apply for free weatherization services by visiting their local SMPA office and speaking with a community weatherization representative. They will be on site at SMPA's offices on September 2, 9, and 16 during the following times:

SMPA Nucla Office: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 170 W. 10th Ave., Nucla, CO
SMPA Ridgway Office: 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.; 720 N. Railroad St., Ridgway, CO

A weatherization representative will also be at the Wilkinson Library, 100 West Pacific Avenue, Telluride, Colo., on September 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Weatherization can help reduce energy usage while improving the comfort of your home year around. The process often includes basic energy efficiency measures such as weather-stripping and caulking exterior doors and windows. The goal is to protect homes and their interiors from the outside elements, particularly, heat, cold, precipitation and wind. In partnership with local agencies, the GEO is providing free weatherization improvements for low income Colorado residents which may include:

Insulation in Attics and Walls
Furnace Replacement
Furnace Safety Testing
Refrigerator Replacement
Sealing Air Leaks
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Energy Audit
Storm Windows and Doors
Energy Conservation Information

"While SMPA may not be able to provide direct financial assistance with this program, we want to make sure our members have access to any available funds that are out there. We encourage any of our members who are eligible for the weatherization program to take advantage of it," said SMPA General Manager, Kevin Ritter. "Any assistance a member gets will help them have a more comfortable home and more affordable energy bills."

The GEO has set the following guidelines to help residents determine their eligibility. If a resident currently receives financial assistance from any of the following programs they automatically quality for weatherization services:

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Aid to Needy and Disabled (AND)
Old Age Pension (OAP)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

Eligibility can also be determined by household incomes. Visit www.smpa.com for a detailed chart. Weatherization assistance is located under the 'My Account' main menu tab and under 'Energy Assistance.'

Ouray County High School Solar Car Team Brings Home Third Place Honors - The Ouray County high school solar car team, Sunshine Mountain Traveler (SMT), took third place in the 2010 Hunt-Winston Solar Car Challenge. The eight-day road race began July 18 and covered approximately 867 miles of open highway, taking the competitors from Fort Worth, Texas to Boulder, Colo.

San Miguel Power Association, Inc. (SMPA) is SMT's corporate sponsor, providing $10,000 in annual funding. Those funds have helped SMT rebuild their car, purchase solar panels and batteries, and make necessary repairs and improvements.

"As a Touchstone Energy cooperative, commitment to community is one of our foundational values. Part of that commitment means investing in the future generations of our communities by supporting local youth organizations," said SMPA General Manager Kevin Ritter. "The solar car club is a great group that promotes leadership and learning, and increases awareness about the new technologies that evolve every day."

The Hunt-Winston Solar Car Challenge was launched in 1993 with the goal of motivating students to pursue science and engineering. It is the only high school level solar car competition in the world. SMT has been participating in the event since 2001. In 2009, SMT placed 6th out of 10 in the challenge, which was a closed track race. They completed 218 laps around the Texas Motor Speedway for a total of 327 miles.

SMT was one of 22 teams who competed in this year's solar car challenge. Of those, only 12 passed the two-day scrutineering test which determines whether or not a car is road worthy. SMT's car was carefully examined, ensuring it adhered to size, electrical system and wiring specifications. SMT team members also successfully completed slalom, turning, braking and emergency evacuation tests. Seven teams, including SMT, went on compete in their division.

SMT began the 2010 challenge in 6th place as determined by last year's showing. In the end, the students overtook three other teams to place third, logging 589.2 miles on their car. It took the 5-member team 40 hours, 22 minutes and 27 seconds to travel from Fort Worth, Texas to Boulder, Colo., - an impressive accomplishment considering SMT's car sustained damage on day two of the race. The team had to make repairs and go back and make up the miles they missed when their car was damaged. Â SMT's average speed was 17.53 miles per hour. Team members include team captain Cole McKenzie of Ridgway, Aaron Daughtry of Ridgway, Samantha Masker or Ridgway, 5 Hanshaw of Ouray and Matthew McCullough of Ouray. Tom Johnson serves as the team advisor. Scott and Liz McKenzie are team co-sponsors.

During the race, teams are allowed to trailer their car when necessary. The decision to trailer your car is not an easy one, as each team'â€™s final placing is determined by how many miles the solar car was actually driven on the road.

"The students have to evaluate their battery life, miles logged, weather and course topography when they take their car off the road," explained SMPA Key Accounts Executive and challenge newcomer, Gary Miller. "Each team has their own strategy regarding car speed and when, or when not, to trailer their car." Miller attended the challenge this year to provide added support for SMT.

In addition to their third place honors, SMT received the William Shih Award in recognition of the team's technological achievements. Johnson, the team advisor, also received the Randall Murphy Award in recognition of his true "spirit of solar car racing."

For complete event results and additional information visit the Hunt-Winston School Solar Car Challenge web site at www.winstonsolar.org/challenge/.

Photo Highlights:

Solar Car Team Members from Left to Right. Back Row: Samantha Masker, Matthew McCullough, Aaron Daughtry, Cole McKenzie, 5 Hanshaw.

The team heads to the starting gate at the Great American Speedway in Texas.

SMT made their way into Colorado on day seven on the eight-day competition. They traveled from Garden City, KS to Limon, CO.

The entire team at the Millennium Hotel in Boulder, CO. From Right to Left: Team co-sponsors Scott and Liz McKenzie, Samanatha Masker, Matthew McCullough, Aaron Daughtry, Team Advisor Tom Johnson, Cole Mckenzie, 5 Hanshaw and SMPA Key Accounts Executive Gary Miller.Â