Methane gas ban
You’ll notice I use the term “methane gas” rather than the more familiar “natural gas.” That’s because “natural gas” is a misnomer. Out of its natural state, in the ground, methane is a powerful greenhouse gas and anything but natural. It doesn’t belong on the surface.
I went to the March 11 Carbondale Board of Trustees meeting on building codes under the impression the Town was going to initiate a limited methane gas ban on new construction. Apparently, I misunderstood or read from the wrong document. There will be no gas ban in Carbondale until at least 2030.
Crested Butte became the first municipality in Colorado to enact a methane gas ban on new construction in 2022. Louisville, which experienced one of the tragic consequences of climate change with the Marshall Fire in 2021, followed suit later that year and its mayor, Ashley Stolzmann, lamented they weren’t the first. Denver has plans to go all electric in new residences and Boulder has a methane gas ban in its building codes.
The honor of being the first city in the nation to institute a methane gas ban goes to Berkeley, California in 2019. Yes, a restaurant trade group halted that ban with a lawsuit in 2024, but if we’re going to do anything about climate remediation, we’re going to need to stand up to lawsuits.
New York State became the first state to ban methane gas hookups in 2023 and California will ban the sale of methane gas furnaces by 2030. Carbondale prides itself as being a leader in the efforts to curb climate change. It’s obvious from this record, we’re falling behind.
Methane is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide in its greenhouse effect and it acts faster. For those who are only concerned with the here and now and not worried about the viability of the planet you leave your children, you might want to consider reducing methane emissions.
In addition to its negative climate impacts, methane gas is unnecessary. Your house can be heated with heat pumps and there are heat pump water heaters. Induction stoves do a wonderful job and, unlike the old electric coil ranges, heat up and cool down very quickly. Yes, the initial outlay of funds for these units is considerable, but imagine a utility bill with no gas charges.
When discussing a methane gas ban with board members, I get the sense they don’t want to piss off developers during a building boom. CLEER is vigorously doing home energy assessments hoping to get existing buildings to retrofit to all electric. A noble venture, but focusing on new construction is lower hanging fruit.
My friend and mentor Patrick Hunter told me when he proposed some climate solutions to Dan Richardson, the former mayor pointed out he was just one person and if Hunter could show that these were the wishes of a large group of Carbondale citizens, Richardson would consider it.
I’ll keep that in mind. The next time I come before the Board of Trustees with this suggestion, I’ll come armed with a petition signed by Carbondale residents. 350 Roaring Fork will be at Dandelion Day and the Farmer’s Market gathering signatures. I’ll bet we get a lot.
Fred Malo Jr.
Carbondale
Competitive swimming in C’dale
It is with great enthusiasm that I announce Team Sopris will be instrumental in organizing and operating a USA Swimming swim team at the new Carbondale pool. As the head swim coach for Team Sopris, I am incredibly excited to bring our team and competitive swimming back to Carbondale. This community has a rich history of fostering talented swimmers, and we are thrilled to reignite that legacy with our program.
At Team Sopris, we provide a supportive and challenging environment for young athletes to develop their swimming skills, build confidence and achieve their goals. The new Carbondale swimming pool offers state-of-the-art facilities that will enable us to train our swimmers effectively and host competitive events.
We look forward to welcoming new and returning swimmers to the team, and we are committed to helping each athlete reach their full potential. Together, we will create a vibrant and thriving swimming community in Carbondale. Let’s dive into this exciting new chapter and make waves together!
I encourage everyone to contribute to the “Let’s Make a Splash” campaign today!
Steve Vanderhoof
Head Swim Coach, Team Sopris
Heartfelt gratitude
I love our community! I am so grateful for everyone involved in my recent film screening fundraiser.
In October, I am running the Chicago Marathon as part of the ALIVE Rescue charity team, supporting a no-kill animal shelter. On March 12, I hosted a sold-out showing of “Flow” at the Crystal Theatre, and after theater/film rental expenses, raised upwards of $1,800!
Many thank yous are in order. First, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Bob and Kathy Ezra for making the whole event possible, and for being such kind and gracious hosts.
Secondly, thank you to Juliana O’Clair with the Post Independent for covering my story and helping me sell out the event.
Thirdly, thank you to my good friends, Nick Kilbourn, Allan Porter and Christine Helling, for assisting at the door and with the prize giveaway.
Fourthly, thank you to the following businesses, organizations and people who donated prizes for the giveaway: Cari and Kula Yoga, Darin and Pedal and Stitch, Cooper and OUTPST, Sara Bestie Porter, Julia and Lobitos and Sarah and Sunshine and Moons.
Finally, thank you to everyone who bought tickets and attended the show (or bought tickets and gifted them back for others to attend), bought tickets for the prize giveaway and donated to the fundraiser in general. You are making a difference for rescue animals, and helping give our furry friends a better life.
Support your local animal shelters. Adopt don’t shop because rescue is the best breed money can buy. My rescue kitty is from Colorado Animal Rescue (and Journey Home in Rifle before that) and brings incomparable joy and love to my life every day.
Jessi Rochel & Bergi the Cat
Carbondale
Eagle County planning
Eagle County has openings for alternates on the Roaring Fork Valley Regional Planning Commission (RFVRPC). This is a great opportunity to participate in discussions about the future of our county. To qualify, applicants must be Eagle County residents for a minimum of one year and a registered voter. The RFVRPC makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners regarding land use within the Roaring Fork Valley, Missouri Heights and Frying Pan Road areas of unincorporated Eagle County. The RFVRPC meets on the first and third Thursday of every month at 2:30 p.m. Applications are available online (www.eaglecounty.us/planningapplication). Applications are due no later than March 31. For more information or to obtain a hard copy of the application, contact Jill Ragaller at 970-328-8751.
Justin Patrick
Eagle County
Normal?
What in the ever-living-hell was that all about!? Why, how and who made money on it? Those are my questions. The strong-willed tapped their resilient nature and pushed on. Did they ever un-tap? Did we remove ourselves from that survival mode we went into years ago? I am slowing again, just now, five years after. Scary part is, it feels like I’m doing so against society’s norms and against family expectations. I’m letting go because I have to.
I feel like I awoke from a bad dream. I look around, and it is anything but the reminiscent ways I recall from years past. Now, suddenly, an unaffordable, single-use culture pulsing at its finest… Is this the new normal? It’s not mine. Will others ever have their eye-opening moment? Will it just be panic and fear until the pearly gates swing wide for our arrival?
Diet and exercise, they say, that’ll clear the mind. But even my stroll into the gym has me walking amongst zombies. Maybe I’m overthinking it. Maybe I need to take a puff of Colorado’s finest. Unfortunately, I’ve been monitoring this situation with a clear mind — false masking unnecessary at this time. This plot is rich enough as it exists.
So, I watch, and I make sure to get enough sunlight. Beyond that, I wait for people to revert into a society. It’s all I can do. It’s that, or go absolutely crazy in public while blowing a loud whistle.
Ben Kruse
Carbondale
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