SLVEC hosts Energy Transition panel at 36th Annual Crestone Energy Fair

PRESS RELEASE

The ‘Energy Transition: Action or Inaction’ panel explored the state of renewable energy, environmental regulations, and local strategies for advancing a clean energy future.

These photovoltaic panels are part of a 20-megawatt solar farm built by SunPower Corp. on 320 acres near Mosca in the San Luis Valley. Credit: Ron Wolf

The panel was hosted by Christine Canaly, Director of the San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council, who helped pass Colorado’s Renewable Energy Act, Amendment 37, in 2004 and has overseen continued development of solar and local energy projects in the region. She was joined by:

1. Jan Rose, Legislative Analyst for the Colorado Coalition for a Livable Climate, who advocates for equitable strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

2. Natasha Leger, Executive Director of Citizens for Healthy Community, a nonprofit protecting air, water, and foodsheds in Delta County while promoting renewable energy

3. Richard Hubler, Land Use and Building Director for Alamosa County, who manages local solar energy development and coordinates renewable energy planning across counties

Together, they reviewed federal and state regulatory changes, examined ongoing renewable projects in the San Luis Valley, and shared actionable steps for communities, businesses, and individuals to accelerate the clean energy transition while protecting public lands, water, and air.

“Policy affects your everyday life in a big way,” Canaly said. “And how we shape that policy on the local, state, and federal level makes all the difference in the world in terms of our quality of life.”

Leger focused on a federal policy overview that detailed the history of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, the current leasing framework for public lands, and the erosion of the National Environmental Protection Act. This push for policy change follows the administration’s energy dominance agenda, highlighted in the ‘Unleashing American Energy’ executive order in January 2025.  

“This is about silent public comment and community voices,” Leger said, in reference to the energy dominance agenda. “Industry has, and will continue to have, an outsized influence.”

The next speaker, Rose, transitioned the panel to Colorado legislation around energy providers, both as individuals and companies, as well as tax credits for alternative materials. The state now pays individuals for their energy production at wholesale prices. This includes access to electric car batteries. She explained that people deserve to receive credits for the energy produced at their homes or businesses and returned to the grid.

“We want to be part of the solution,” Rose said.

To wrap up the session, Hubler grounded the panel on the local level by providing background on different requirements and processes for solar development projects, from homes to complexes, as well as the successes and challenges of renewable energy infrastructure in the Valley. He commented that the Valley aims to be a “leader in solar energy,” based on Alamosa’s updated comprehensive plan, adopted in July 2025. 

Watch the full panel below:

The Energy Transition panel starts at roughly 4:23 and ends around 5:34.

This information was written in collaboration with Crestone Energy Fair event descriptions.