Demonstrating the size and diversity of Vermont's renewable energy economy, more than 100 businesses that work in the renewable energy industry are urginglegislative action before the session closes on a package of clean energy legislation.
In a letter led by Renewable Energy Vermont to Governor Peter Shumlin, Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott, and lawmakers, the businesses urged passage of five House-passed, bipartisan bills, stating that "our industry is growing and it is strong," but "to remain competitive, we need to continue to foster a strong local industry."
The letter continued, "Vermont has worked hard to develop our in-state, clean energy economy. Now is not the time to let this effort slide, letting the wave of the future move on to other states and countries.Predictability and pro-growth policies are vital to our continued success."
Large renewable energy companies such as groSolar, Northern Power Systems, AllEarth Renewables, Sunward Systems, Draker Laboratories, and NRG Systems collectively employ hundreds of Vermonters directly. But the letter also included dozens of small, medium and large businesses that derive work from Vermont's clean tech industry, including local installers from all corners of the state, large construction companies such as J.A. Morrissey Inc. and Engineers Construction Inc. (ECI),electrical companies, contracting companies, developers, and design and marketing firms.
"The wide appeal for legislative progress demonstrates the depth and breadth of Vermont's renewable energy economy. Everyday our business works with dozens of other Vermont businesses. When we are busy, they are busy. But we need to have pro-growth policies in Vermont that make this economic activity possible," said Brett Pingree of Northern Power Systems in Barre.
Vermont recently ranked number one in the nation for "green jobs," but industry experts say that study misses thousands of businesses engaged in the state's renewable energy economy.
"Vermont would do well to look just across its borders and see the growth and job creation from other states' pro-renewable energy policies. We can't take our in-state industry for granted," said Ben Gordesky of DC Energy Innovations in North Hero."The best part of our industry is that not only do we create good jobs, we also make available to Vermonters clean, renewable energy for decades to come."
The text of the full letter and signers is here:
An Open Letter to Vermont Elected Officials
Dear Vermont Leaders,
As renewable energy businesses and businesses that derive work from the renewable energy sector, we ask for your attention to energy legislation before the end of the session.
Our industry is growing and it is strong. Vermont just dropped below 5% in unemployment, with a hefty portion of that being green jobs.Vermont has worked hard to develop our in-state, clean energy economy. Now is not the time to let this effort slide, letting the wave of the future move on to other states and countries. Predictability and pro-growth policies are vital to our continued success. To remain competitive, we need to continue to foster a strong local industry.
Before this legislative session ends, please ensure passage of:
·House passed net metering bill(H. 475)
·House passed Property Tax Certainty for State and Renewables Developers and Customers(H. 679)
·House passed CEDF funding(H. 782)
·Senate passed streamlined permitting for small existing hydro (S. 148)
·House passed â Energy Bill’(H. 468)
We recognize how busy this time of year is. Please: ensure that Vermont continues to build towards our collective future of locally-made, clean energy.
Thank you for your consideration,
Acorn Energy Co-op, Middlebury
Advanced Solar Heating Systems, Rutland
Aegis Wind, Waitsfield
AllEarth Renewables, Williston
Alumni Solar, South Hero
Backspring Renewables, Middlebury/Weybridge
Biebel Builders, Windsor
Black River Produce, North Springfield
Bobcat Café, Bristol
Bright Lite Electric, Windsor
Building Energy, Williston
CalcoGreen LLC, Waitsfield
Catamount Solar, East Montpelier
Coburn's General Store, South Strafford
Community Hydro, Plainfield
Concept 2, Morrisville
Cottage 10, Hinesburg
Craftsbury Outdoor Center, Craftsbury
CRL Solar LLC, Hartford
Daniels Transportation, White River Junction
DC Energy Innovations, North Hero
Draker Labs, Burlington
E&S Electric, Colchester
Encore Redevelopment, Burlington
Energy Co-op of Vermont, Colchester
Engineers Construction Inc., Williston
Forward Thinking Consultants, Richmond
Foxfire Energy, Chittenden
Fresh Tracks Capital, Shelburne
Friends of the Sun, Manchester
Gary MacArthur Solar, Marlboro
Graybar, Rutland
Green Earth Energy, Brandon
Green Energy Times, Bradford
Green Toolbox Consultants, Warren
Green Works Solar Store, St. Johnsbury
Grennon's Solder Works, Bristol
GroSolar, White River Junction
GWR Engineering, Charlotte
Hand Energy Services, Manchester
Hand Sun and Solar, Manchester
Harvey|Severence, Burlington
Hebert Excavation, Williamstown
Hempfully Green, Putney
Hidden Springs Maple, Putney
Independent Power, Hyde Park
Integrated Solar, Brattleboro
Interstate Mountain Company, South Hero
J. A. Morrissey, Williston
J.W. & D.E. Ryan Inc., Vergennes
James T. Davis Construction, Arlington
L.W. Seddon LLC, Montpelier
Landworks, Middlebury
Larkin Realty, Burlington
Leunig's Bistro, Burlington
Livingston Farm Landscape Products, Bristol
LN Consulting, Winooski
Maclay Architects, Waitsfield
MC Autoworks , Strafford
Mergus Analytics LLC, Jericho
Metrukâ s Electrical Contracting, Underhill
Northeast Wind (a VERA business), Waterbury
Northern Power Systems, Barre
NRG Systems, Hinesburg
One Sun Vermont, South Hero
Peck Electric, Williston
Phelps Engineering, Middlebury
Pill-Maharam Architects, Shelburne
Points North Energy, Stowe
Positive Energy, Poultney
Prudent Living, Windsor
PV Solar Associates, Berlin
Real Goods Solar, Montpelier
ReArch Company, South Burlington
ReKnew, Hartford
Renewable Energy Vermont, Montpelier
ResTec, Bridgewater Corners
Rich Keus Construction, Arlington
Robert's Plumbing and Heating, Milton
RSD Companies Inc., White River Junction
RSD Leasing, White River Junction
RSD Transportation, White River Junction
RSD Warehouse, White River Junction
Saxtons River Solar Electric, Saxtons River
Small Dog Electronics, Waitsfield
Sojourns Community Health Clinic, Westminster
Solar Pro, Arlington
Solarfest, Tinmouth
Solartech, Sutton
Solarwind Electric, Bradford
Soulmate Socks, Strafford
Southridge Neighborhood Association, Middlebury
Stephanie Lahar and Associates LLC, Montpelier
Stone Soup Restaurant, Strafford
Suncatcher, Corinth
SunCommon, Waterbury
Sunrise Solar Services, Rutland
Sunward Systems, Vergennes
Sunwood Biomass, Waitsfield
Sustainable Energy Resource Group, Thetford Center
Sustainable Solutions, Marshfield
Teamswork, Shelburne
Timberline Electric Inc., Williston
Triland Partners, Williamstown
TruexCullins Architecture + Interior Design, Burlington
Twin Birches Ltd, Middlebury
USA Solar Store, Perkinsville
Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, Burlington/Barre
Vermont Solar Engineering, Burlington
Vesco Energy Services, South Burlington
VT Solar, Burlington
Watson Research, Fairfield
West Windsor West Corp., Windsor
Willis North America, Burlington
Wolfe Energy, Strafford
Woodstock Aqueduct, Woodstock
About Renewable Energy Vermont (REV),www.revermont.org
REV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan trade association representing nearly 300 businesses, individuals, colleges and others committed to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and expanding the availability of renewable sources of energy in Vermont. REV works as the only advocacy organization dedicated solely to advancing renewable energy and efficiency in the state.
ReVermont 4.24.2012