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BACKGROUND
Local Energy is s 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps communities
develop their local, renewable energy resources in ways that mitigate
the hardships being created by the degradation of fossil energy resources.
Through our research, education, and projects, we facilitate the process
of developing community self-reliance in energy by supporting local control
of renewable energy resources and programs that reduce the flow of energy
dollars leaving the community.
Disturbed by ever-rising energy costs and their effect on New Mexicans,
Local Energy co-founder Mark Sardella began researching the underlying cause
of the problem in the Summer of 2002. That research resulted not only in
a clearer understanding of the U.S. energy-resource predicament, but also
the recognition that the solutions to energy problems involve more than
simply replacing fossil-energy technology with renewable energy technology.
The inherent differences between fossil and renewable energies suggest
that in order to be sustainable, the shift to renewables must include
a transition to a more localized economy. That process starts with
recognizing the value of local resources to the local community,
and then capturing that value with energy projects based on local ownership,
local job creation, and environmental sustainability. The furtherance
of these principles, through education, research, and the development of
community-based energy projects, is the focus of our work at Local Energy.
Our Mission
Local Energy’s mission is to mitigate the hardships incurred from the degradation of fossil energy resources, foster community self-reliance in energy, support local control and utilization of energy resources, and reduce the flow of energy dollars leaving the community.
Specific goals of Local Energy include:
- Promote and advance projects that relieve the hardship of high energy costs on local municipalities, their citizens, especially their poor, and on businesses that are vital to their communities;
- Reduce the negative environmental impacts of energy use;
- Conduct nonpartisan research to advance the science of renewable energy and energy self-reliance for the benefit of local communities and the environment; and
- Set up discussion groups, forums, panels, lectures, and similar programs that engage the public with the principles and practices of local self-reliance in energy.
For more information, visit our FAQ page
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