By Ian Neligh
Courant Editor
A meeting between the Clear Creek commissioners and U.S. Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colorado, could help pave the way for cooperation between the federal government and the county as Clear Creek looks at its future renewable-energy options.
After a tour of Beau Jo’s and its renewable energy features on Feb. 25, including the solar power panels on the restaurant’s roof, Udall met with county commissioners and briefly discussed working together.
Commissioner Kevin O’Malley showed the senator large maps of the possible prime locations for wind or solar energy in Clear Creek County. O’Malley said the meeting was about finding a way to streamline the process to get cooperation from the U.S. Forest Service and federal government.
“Because our projects — either through access or through siting, will need to use some federal property,” O’Malley said, “we want to find how we can best make that work.”
Udall said he had worked with the county in the past and wanted to do so again regarding renewable energy. He added he would have one of his staff members work with the county.
O’Malley said he thought the meeting went well.
“He’s a United States senator, you know. There are certain things they can help get done that not many other people can,” O’Malley said.