The Green Column

by Richard C. MacCrea, Andrews Valley Initiative

rmaccrea@mountainhomeshow.com

The Green Column is about our corner of the Appalachian Mountains, and how we can keep them beautiful, consume less energy, and in the process put some people to work. I write this column, but it belongs to you. To keep it interesting and current, I need your input. Know some green news, a great local project, have an idea?  Please, email me.

First, let me introduce you to the non profit organization I work with, the Andrews Valley Initiative. This is a group of people working together to make Andrews a great community. There are many interesting ideas we are working on, like an algae farm that produces diesel fuel and animal feed while creating local jobs. Another idea is a large organic farm with grocery chains waiting in line for produce. We want to share these ideas with the rest of our mountain region. For more information see our web site: andrewsvalley.com

My project is called The Greening of Andrews Valley. By greening, we mean living in ways that reduce the damage to our planet. Many believe they cannot afford to make this change. Can we lower our cost of living, create jobs, and live green? Yes!

Would you pay someone to fix your home if the money you save on your electric bill would cover the cost? What if you could also get some money to help you do this? And if it made your home more comfortable? By educating the community on how living green can lower their cost of living, more people will make the change. They will see the benefit of making their buildings more energy efficient. They will hire people to do this work. And the power company can burn a little less coal every month.

Did you know there are local companies that can help you do this? By hiring them to fix your home or office, you would be putting your neighbor to work. Needed materials can be purchased locally. Their paycheck is spent in the community. As more people have their buildings upgraded, these companies will hire and train more employees. Here is a business model that can help our local communities right now, financed by reduced energy bills, tax incentives, and caring building owners.

The Greening of Andrews Valley will be helping by educating the community and promoting the green businesses in our region. That is why we are building a web site with business contacts and plenty of articles about living green. This newspaper column is also part of our program. And we are organizing a community green fair to be held this summer. We have some great ideas. Would you like to be part of this? Please email me with your ideas.

The next Green Column will list some of the most successful ways to reduce energy costs without spending a lot of money. Richard C. MacCrea is the director of The Greening of Andrews Valley, a program of Andrews Valley Initiative. He is also the organizer of The Mountain Home Show, and a home designer, planner specializing in super energy efficient designs.