Governor Shumlin appeared with the leadership of Rutland Regional Medical Center and Efficiency Vermont today to help kick off the final year of a groundbreaking initiative that is challenging Vermont businesses to push the envelope on energy efficiency.(SEELIST BELOW)
‘As Vermont thinks about our energy future, we know that energy efficiency is going to play a critical role in helping to meet the ambitious goals we’ve set,’the Governor said. ‘The Energy Leadership Challenge - and the strong partnership it is helping further between large businesses such as Rutland Regional Medical Center and Efficiency Vermont - shows that investments in energy efficiency make good business sense. This is exactly the type of effort that will ensure our state continues to be a national leader on both energy efficiency and business innovation.’
Efficiency Vermont launched the Energy Leadership Challenge in the summer of 2011, in an effort to encourage the state’s largest electricity consumers to reduce their usage by 7.5% over two years. At this point, 69 businesses and institutions have signed on to the Challenge, and ten have already exceeded the energy reduction goal.
The effort builds on the impartial support and guidance that Efficiency Vermont offers all Vermonters who are seeking to reduce their energy usage. For large businesses and institutions, this approach includes a dedicated account manager who works directly with each customer to evaluate energy efficiency opportunities and help craft a customized approach to meeting their goals.
The result of this work, when combined with a sustained and robust commitment to sustainability on the part of Rutland Regional Medical Center leadership, is that the hospital is well on its way to meeting the Energy Leadership Challenge goal. ‘In every decision we make as an institution, it is important to us to be good stewards of the Rutland community,’said CEO Tom Huebner. ‘Investing in energy efficiency not only improves our bottom line, it also provides better comfort for our patients, reduces our environmental impact, and shows that we are making sustainability a priority.’
According to Jim Merriam, Director of Efficiency Vermont, businesses across the state have stepped up enthusiastically to meet the Challenge. ‘This initiative enabled us to increase our work with businesses and institutions that are committed to making smart investments that strengthen our state and their communities,’he said. ‘Rutland Regional Medical Center knows that reducing and stabilizing energy costs saves money and gives them a competitive edge. As we move into the final year of the Challenge, we will continue working closely with all the Challenge participants to realize deeper savings and engage employees. Ultimately, the real goal is to help them find thoughtful ways to build energy efficiency into their long-term business strategies.’
Energy Leadership Challenge Participants
These organizations have joined Efficiency Vermont's Energy Leadership Challenge.(Locations listed are for Vermont facilities.)
Barry Callebaut USA, Inc. - Saint Albans
Basin Harbor Club - Vergennes
Bennington College - Bennington
Black River Produce - North Springfield
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont - Berlin
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital - Brattleboro
Brattleboro Retreat - Brattleboro
Bromley Mountain Ski Resort - Peru
Carris Reels, Inc. - Proctor
Castleton State College - Castleton
Central Vermont Medical Center - Berlin
Cersosimo Lumber Co., Inc. - Brattleboro
Commonwealth Dairy, LLC - Brattleboro
Dynapower Corporation - South Burlington
Energizer Battery Manufacturing Company - Bennington
Energizer Battery Manufacturing Company - Saint Albans
Fairbanks Scales - Saint Johnsbury
G.S. Precision, Inc. - Brattleboro
GE Aviation ‘Rutland
Gifford Medical Center - Randolph
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters - Waterbury
Green Mountain College - Poultney
GW Plastics, Inc. - Bethel
Harbour Industries, Inc. - Shelburne
HEI Equinox LLC - Manchester Center
Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd. - Milton
Imerys Talc America Inc. - Ludlow
Killington Pico Ski Resort Partners LLC - Killington
King Arthur Flour Company - Norwich
Kurn Hattin Homes - Westminster
Landmark College - Putney
Lovejoy Tool - Springfield
Lucas Industries - North Springfield
Lyndon State College - Lyndonville
Mack Molding Company, Inc. - Arlington
Middlebury College - Middlebury
Mount Ascutney Hospital and Health Center - Windsor
Mount Snow - Dover
National Hanger Co, Inc. - Bennington
National Life Group - Montpelier
Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital - Saint Johnsbury
Northwestern Medical Center - Saint Albans
Norwich University - Northfield
Okemo Mountain Resort - Ludlow
PBM Nutritionals - Georgia
Preci-Manufacturing, Inc. - Winooski
Putney Paper Company, Inc. - Putney
Rock of Ages Corporation - Barre
Rock Tenn Company - Sheldon Springs
Rutland Plywood Corporation - Rutland
Rutland Regional Medical Center - Rutland
Southwestern Vermont Medical Center - Bennington
Springfield Hospital - Springfield
Stratton Mountain Resort - Stratton
Sugarbush - Warren
Swan Valley Cheese of Vermont - Swanton
Swenson Granite Company, Inc. - Barre
The Orvis Company, Inc. - Sunderland
The Vermont Country Store - Weston
Town of Bennington - Bennington
Town of Brattleboro - Brattleboro
Town of Hartford - Hartford
University Mall - South Burlington
Vermed, Inc. - Bellows Falls
Vermont Circuits Incorporated - Brattleboro
Vermont State Buildings
Vermont Technical College - Williston
Vishay Tansitor Electronics, Inc. - Bennington
Weidmann Electrical Technology, Inc. - Saint Johnsbury
Soruce:Efficiency Vermont,July 23, 2012 ‘Rutland, VT ‘Efficiency Vermont was created by the Vermont Legislature and the Vermont Public Service Board to help all Vermonters reduce energy costs, strengthen the economy, and protect Vermont's environment. For more information, contact Efficiency Vermont at 888-921-5990 or visit www.efficiencyvermont.com.