PDC SEP Community Process Awardees
We are excited to announce the two SEP fund awardees from the PDC SEP Community Process. Congratulations to both organizations!
In selecting these projects, applications were carefully reviewed and scored by an evaluation committee, comprised of members from the Weld County community, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (the department) and PDC Energy. Ultimately, the committee voted unanimously to recommend these two projects for funding and the department approved.
ICAST
Project: Creating Environmental, Social and Economic Benefits through Green Retrofits in Affordable Housing in Weld County.
Award Amount: $500,000
This project will reduce pollution while protecting and improving the health of at least 700 low and moderate income residents in Weld County by providing “deep green” retrofits that are predicted to save approximately $1.5 million in utility bills over the life of the upgrades. ICAST focuses on green retrofits because they are typically the most cost-effective way to reduce pollution, improve public health and save utility costs for low and moderate income residents.
University of Northern Colorado Solar Project
Project Name: University of Northern Colorado Solar Project.
Award Amount: $500,000
The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) has been taking action to increase campus sustainability and reduce its environmental impact for decades. This solar photovoltaic (PV) project will provide environmental and educational benefits and help UNC advance its commitment to sustainability. The project includes the design and installation of an approximately 170 kW (kilowatt) solar PV system to be installed on the roof of Parsons Hall. The project includes an interactive and educational dashboard to track solar production, cost savings, and other relevant information.
Project Background
In October 2017, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Justice, and the State of Colorado announced a settlement with PDC Energy, Inc. (PDC), an energy company, that comprehensively identifies and addresses alleged violations with vapor control systems at PDC’s condensate storage tank batteries in the Denver-area 8-hour ozone marginal nonattainment area. On February 6, 2018, the U.S. District Court of Colorado approved the parties’ settlement.
As part of this settlement, PDC agreed to submit one or more possible SEP proposals for department approval within 90 days of the effective date. Recognizing the importance of community involvement, PDC is opting to use the SEP Community Process for application selection. Through this process, PDC and the department (the parties) will work together to identify potential SEP applications that will result in an expenditure by PDC of $1 million and secure significant environmental or public health protection and improvement.
