Suppose the power goes out on a below-zero January day -- no problem. Fire, police and other emergency services switch to an emergency microgrid powered by solar energy. At some point, the microgrid could be big enough to keep houses warm and prevent pipes from freezing in winter temperatures.

Ketchum representatives are back from a cutting edge electricity innovation workshop in which only 12 cities in the nation were invited to participate. The meeting was sponsored by the world-renowned Rocky Mountain Institute based in Snowmass, Colo. and was held in Sundance, Utah. 

"Ketchum's invitation to attend resulted from a highly competitive process. We feel very fortunate to have been selected and have access to such high-caliber expertise," Senior Planner Rebecca Bundy said. 

Participants included the Ketchum Energy Advisory Committee Chair Aimee Christensen, committee member and engineer Andy Castellano, senior planner Rebecca Bundy, and representatives from Sun Valley Co., Idaho Power and energy innovator NRG, who has offered to support our community in becoming a model for energy resilience.

The City Council last month set energy conservation goals for 2030, including:

• Reduce per capita energy consumption by 30 percent
• Generate 50 percent of energy locally
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the city by 75 percent
• Use 100 percent renewable energy

Other cities at the workshop included San Francisco, which hopes to have a microgrid to serve 200 key buildings in case of an earthquake, and Hoboken, N.J., which experienced lengthy power outages after Hurricane Sandy.

In addition, this month brings Earth Day and other new efforts toward a sustainable economy in the Wood River Valley.

Christensen also is a co-founder and executive director of the newly formed Sun Valley Institute for Resilience, which will be a center for public education, policy leadership and investment for resilience, with an early focus on energy, water, telecommunications, health and food.   

"Here in the Wood River Valley, greater resilience can strengthen our ability to reduce the impacts and bounce back from harm to our economy, whether from fires, poor snowfall or global economic conditions. The Institute will be a partner by helping to inform the community of priorities and attract additional resources for the prosperity and well-being of our region," Mayor Nina Jonas said.

In keeping with these themes, the Idaho Conservation League, the Environmental Resource Center and the Sun Valley Institute for Resilience are sponsoring the Wood River Valley Green Expo on Wednesday, April 22, Earth Day, from 4-7 p.m. in Town Square, East Avenue between Sun Valley Road and Fourth Street. The same organizations are hosting an expert panel discussion on these topics at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, at the Community Library, 425. Spruce Ave. 

The interim zoning ordinance, which will go before the Ketchum Planning & Zoning Commission for a second hearing on Monday, April 27, is designed to correct more than 130 errors and inconsistencies and bring the code into compliance with federal and state law.

It also defines numerous permitted land uses that currently lack formal definitions. No substantial regulatory changes have been recommended for the interim zoning ordinance.

During the coming two to three years, code revisions are planned to address additional issues identified in the Comprehensive Plan adopted in April 2014. This was first major update of the plan in more than a decade, and is the product of comments from hundreds of individuals.

Phase 1 of the process is to address the known inconsistencies and to make it easier to understand the zoning code. Phase 2, which may take months or possibly even years, will focus on bringing the zoning code into conformance with the Comprehensive Plan. Phase 3 will address how proposed zoning amendments impact other city ordinances such as streets standards and water and sewer requirements.

"We urge all community members to help us create a zoning ordinance that addresses our most challenging issues, focuses on sustainability and provides direction for implementing the Comprehensive Plan through thoughtful regulations," said Micah Austin, city planning and building director.

Requests for mail-in absentee ballots for the May 19 special election on water revenue bonds must be received at the Blaine County Courthouse by May 13, or you may vote in person at the courthouse until Friday, May 15 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Polls will be open at Hemingway School from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 19.

If you are not registered to vote, you have until Monday, April 24 to pre-register. Register in person at Ketchum City Hall, 480 East Avenue North or the Blaine County Courthouse, 201 First Ave., S., Hailey, or by mail. You may also register at the polls on Election Day with proof of residency.

Forms to request an absentee ballot or to register are available online.

Passage of the $450,000 bond issue will enable Ketchum to discontinue use of aging portions of the water system. Parts of the community core and the Lewis Street industrial area use pipes installed by Ketchum Springs Water, a private water system that the city acquired in the 1980s.

Estimates are that the decrease in maintenance expenses would offset the bond repayment costs, said Robyn Mattison, public works director and city engineer. A simple majority of voters would need to approve the proposal, which is expected to reduce maintenance costs, increase reliability and encourage conservation.

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