The pandemic shutdowns left a lot of us with quiet time. My parents, like many, filled it with jigsaw puzzles.

It’s a hobby that rewards the patient. An edge here. A corner there. Colors separated just so. To an outside observer, it might seem to be taking forever. But with persistence and effort, a picture starts to emerge as everything falls into place.

It’s a satisfying moment. And it’s one we’re starting to appreciate ourselves.

Lately, we’ve all seen a stream of announcements from Platte River Power Authority, the wholesale electric provider that we co-own. They’ve brought a new 225 megawatt wind farm online. They’re retiring the Rawhide coal power plant by 2030. And by fall, they’ll have added another 22 megawatts of solar energy, along with some battery storage.

Snap all those pieces in place, and Longmont will have 50% of its power coming from non-carbon sources in 2020. What’s more, we’ve hit that milestone more than one year ahead of the date set by the Longmont City Council resolution.

That didn’t just happen. It took a lot of work and planning, much of it reaching back years. It’s involved an active and engaged community, including those who took part in the discussions about Platte River’s energy options.

And it’s still going on. The picture of Longmont’s energy future isn’t complete yet. And there are still pieces you can fit in.

One big one is energy efficiency. After all, if electric demand is lower, then less energy has to be generated! That’s why we have the Efficiency Works programs for homes and businesses to identify helpful improvements and provide rebates. (And as we announced recently, there’s even an Efficiency Works Store online to supply simple measures, such as LED light bulbs and advanced power strips.)

Likewise, we also have the Renewable Power Purchase Program for folks who want to help encourage investments in wind energy. And if you’re thinking of going solar yourself, we provide plenty of information on solar energy online to help get you started.

Think about it. See what’s right for you. And then come join in.

You may just be the missing piece we’ve been looking for.