Aspen Renewable Energy Projects Win Awards

Susan Lee accepting the AEP Award at the AEP Conference in May 2017.

Aspen’s Social Sciences Group was the recipient of two awards, recognizing them for their innovative and groundbreaking work on two recent renewable energy projects.

AEP Environmental Resource Document Merit Award

On May 19, 2017, Aspen Environmental Group was awarded the California AEP Environmental Resource Document Merit Award for the REVEAL Initiative Report we prepared for San Bernardino County. Through the San Bernardino County Partnership for Renewable Energy and Conservation (SPARC) funded by the State of California Renewable Energy and Conservation Planning Grant (RECPG) Program, the County has sought to strengthen its policies and regulatory system to manage renewable energy development while protecting its environment, communities and residents, and economy. In close consultation with the County, Aspen Environmental Group prepared the Renewable Energy Value Evaluation and Augmentation Leadership (REVEAL) Initiative Report as part of SPARC Phase 2, which was developed to present the County with potential new opportunities for developing community-based renewable energy (CORE) projects, with an emphasis on providing economic benefits to the County and its residents. Aspen developed a quantitative model tailored to the County predicting local economic benefits. While the report was intended to assist with preparing goals and policies for the Renewable Energy and Conservation Element, the content was developed to serve larger topics and to be a fluid document for overall renewable energy planning. A quantitative model and data were presented that can be adjusted over time and by geography to estimate the effectiveness of recommended policies and tools to maximize economic benefits to jurisdictions and their residents. The Report’s quantitative cost/benefit model and recommended policies, tools, and performance measures are focused on increasing economic, social, and environmental benefits to the County. The California Energy Commission has commended the REVEAL Initiative Report, and the County’s efforts in renewable energy planning.

APA Award of Excellence

In April 2017, the Imperial County Conservation and Open Space (COSE) Element received the San Diego Section APA Award of Excellence. Aspen was part of the technical team of consultants and prepared the Baseline Conditions Report and GIS mapping for the COSE update, which focuses on renewable energy policy directives for the County and was funded by the State of California RECPG Program.