NVDA Energy Update December 2022

VT Public Engagement Plan to Guide Review of Renewable Electricity Policy & Programs

Opportunity to get involved!

Review the Vermont Public Service Department (DPS)'s proposed public engagement plan to guide a comprehensive review of Vermont’s renewable and clean electricity policies and programs. This engagement process will help implement a core recommendation of the Comprehensive Energy Plan, published in January of 2022, which calls for consideration of comprehensive adjustments to Vermont’s Renewable Energy Standard as well as related renewable energy programs – including consideration of moving toward 100% renewable or carbon-free electricity.

Impacts of Climate Change on VT's Agriculture & Ecology

Dec 14, 7pm (online)

Featuring panelists Jillian Liner from Vermont Audubon, Jim Shallow from the Nature Conservancy, Abbie Corse of the Corse Farm Dairy and Vermont Climate Council, and Josh Faulkner of UVM, this discussion will focus on the effects of climate change on Vermont landscapes.

Improving VT Transportation

Submit your research ideas by Dec 15

Maybe you have data that needs analysis, a widget or process that needs improvement, and/or a Vermont-specific transportation need. Share an idea for research that you think the Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) should fund which can be conducted by a research team on our Qualified Researchers List (QRL). Use the Research Idea Submission Form to submit your ideas for spending our limited research funds.

Research ideas are vetted by AOT managers and must be paired with an AOT Staff Champion who has supervisor approval to go forward. Approved ideas will be distributed to in January. Find more information on the Additional Research Resources page.

New Federal Money for Energy Storage: The IRA

Dec 16, 1-2:30pm (online)

The $430 billion federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) – the largest federal climate investment package in US history – features many new supports for energy storage development, from expanding access to tax credits to new grant and loan opportunities. In this webinar, hosted by CESA for the Energy Storage Technology Advancement Partnership, will dig into what this new Act means for energy storage in the US, what types of activity will be eligible for funding, and how the new IRA funding mechanisms fit together with the previously announced Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding.

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!

Scheduling Poll for next NEK Energy Meeting: Help pick the next date in January or February 2023. Join Energy Committees and partners from around the Northeast Kingdom (NEK) for the next online quarterly gathering. All are welcome. Come to meet other energized folks from across the NEK, ask questions, and share best practices.

Climate + Energy 2023 Legislative Look Forward Webinar: Jan 9, 12pm

Hear how the recent election has changed the landscape and makeup of the Vermont State House. Get an update on anticipated new (or improved) policies likely to be considered this session, including affordable, cleaner heat, a modernized Renewable Energy Standard for our electricity sector, opportunities to continue to make our transportation system more clean, multi-modal and accessible to all, and more! There will be opportunity to ask and get your big questions answered, as well as find out how you can stay engaged as the Legislature’s work ramps up over the session. Register here.