Housing for low income Vermonters got a huge boost in energy efficiency in the last two years, greatly reducing the cost of energy in a sector struggling to keep housing affordable against rising energy prices. Affordable housing agencies across the State will save $450,000 a year in energy costs.
Under the 2009 federal stimulus bill, $2 million flowed into the Vermont Department of Public Service (DPS), through the Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF) and out to Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) to tackle their most pressing energy improvements.
DPS Commissioner Elizabeth Miller announced today that the partnership between the CEDF and VHCB for the $2 million grant had been a great success.
‘VHCB, historically quite skilled in dealing with federal grants, brought their great capacity to this sizeable grant,’ she said. ‘The result was a quite seamless connection between our two entities to accomplish an impressive amount of work and energy savings.’
The numbers tell the story. Using the $2 million to leverage an additional $7 million in investment, VHCB completed improvements in 725 units of 88 housing buildings in 27 towns. Projected annual savings include 487,156 kWh of electricity, 97,455 gallons of oil and 11,276 gallons of propane. In addition, 390 units received solar hot water systems which are expected to generate the equivalent of 350,587 kWh per year.
VHCB Program Director Craig Peltier stated that the CEDF funds met a critical need. ‘This money allowed us to address the energy needs of important projects in our portfolio, including many units in smaller buildings that have been a challenge from an energy perspective.’
One recipient of ARRA funds, Gilman Housing Trust Project manager Bob Hanson, said the residents are grateful. ‘We wanted to give our residents more comfortable and sustainable homes. New windows, added insulation, better ventilation and lighting were made possible because of our participation in this valuable program.’
Economically, the state also benefitted as the project generated over 31,000 hours of work. Over 60 small businesses throughout the state received work contracts on the projects for labor and materials.
With a projected overall energy savings of 40 percent or more, CEDF Director Andrew Perchlik, said the $2 million dollar investment will benefit the state for years to come.
‘This was almost an ideal grant from our perspective,’ he said. ‘It exhibits what the CEDF is all about: renewable energy generation, reduced energy consumption and costs, jobs and profits for small businesses, and residents made comfortable.’
Montpelier. 319.2012.