Newsletter August 2023
Regional Planning &
Economic Development
in the Northeast Kingdom
ENERGY UPDATE Aug 2023
SAVE THE DATE!
NEK Solarbration - Sept 24, 12-4pm
Join us for an afternoon of FREE family-friendly fun, live music and energy education. Celebrate the start-up of the new 150kW Community Solar array providing renewable electricity to Peacham Town buildings, as well as participating homes, farms and local businesses from surrounding communities.
Learn about strategies for community resilience and an affordable, clean energy future. Find out how you, too, can get involved in renewable energy, improve the efficiency of your home or business, live more comfortably, and save money.
- Live music by Bob & Sarah Amos, Colin McCaffrey, and Migmar Tsering
- Food trucks + solar-cooking demos
- Energy-themed arts & crafts for all ages. Help build a community art project!
- Agrivoltaics (solar+farming) in action with Bee the Change!
- Energy vendors & advocacy tables
- Raffle Prizes & Free Giveaways (“sustainable swag”)
- SMART Thermostat - Efficiency Vermont
- Comprehensive Home Energy Audit - HEAT Squad
- Electric Lawn Equipment + MORE
Energy Saving Rebates Available Now
VPPSA Reminder
Rebates are available for customers of Lyndonville Electric, Hardwick Electric, Orleans Electric, and Barton Electric covering a range of items, from electric lawn mowers and E-bikes to heat pumps and electric vehicles, through the Vermont Public Power Supply Authority. Head over to www.VPPSA.com/resources/rebate-forms/ or call (802) 884-4488 to learn about all the options! Highlights include:
- $50 back for a residential electric push or ride-on lawn mower
- $100 back for an E-bike or electric bike retrofit kit
- $25 back for an electric chainsaw, trimmer, or leaf blower
- $1,000 back for a new all-electric vehicle
- $500 back for a new plug-in hybrid
Public Level 2 Charger at the Albany Town Clerk's Office
Public Level 2 Charger at the Peacham Library
Public Level 2 Charger at the Old Stone House Museum
$7M in Grants for EV Chargers Available Now
Statewide grant open to applicants from all of VT
This grant, made possible by the Department of Housing and Community Development, is here to help you cover ALMOST ALL the cost of installing EV charging stations for businesses, multi-unit dwellings, and public places.
**Funding is limited so apply now!**
Please complete the pre-application to the best of your ability and they will help you receive the technical and financial assistance you need.
The funding is for full installation (hardware, design, and utility make-ready included); anticipated funding will cover approximately 150 sites and 1,300 ports installed.
If you have questions about the program, please review the full eligibility requirements and contact [email protected] or call 802-655-8722.
Joint Meeting of the VT Environmental Justice (EJ) Advisory Council & Interagency EJ Committee
Aug 28, 1-4 pm (in-person / online)
During this meeting, the EJ Advisory Council and Interagency EJ Committee will review draft three (3) of the core principles of community engagement. There will be opportunities for public comment at this meeting. The agenda is forthcoming.
Location for In-Person Attendance: Agency of Transportation, Dill Building at 2178 Airport Road in Berlin, Vermont. Conference Room 135.
Virtual Attendance: Microsoft Teams: Click here to join the meeting | Meeting ID: 296 177 064 72 | Passcode: dapCYT
Meeting Documents: A Guide to the Core Principles of Community Engagement | Environmental Justice Online Resource Library
Accessibility: Please reach out to Alex Lintner ([email protected]) or Phoebs Potter ([email protected]) seven days before the meeting if you require accessibility accommodations to support your meaningful participation.
Oct 31 Deadline - MERP *Free* Building Energy Assessments
FREE Energy Assessments for Municipally-Owned Buildings:
The application for FREE building energy assessments through the Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) is open! There are two levels of energy assessment to choose from, EITHER of which qualify a municipality for the MERP Implementation Grant. Communities MUST receive an energy assessment in order to apply for the MERP Implementation Grant (up to $500,000)!
**Schedule a meeting with Allie Webster, NVDA Energy Planner, for assistance filling out the application together.**
As a reminder, the application for the $4,000 community capacity mini-grant is still available for towns. The MERP mini-grant can be used for energy-related outreach and education or to hire a consultant to help enhance municipal energy capacity/staff support.
Mark your calendars...
Sept 16 - Danville Electric Vehicle & Transportation Fair (10am-1pm)
@Marty's First Stop, 421 Rte 2 W, Danville, VT 05828
This free event will include a variety of electric vehicles, e-bikes, and electric lawn equipment on display. Information on incentives, tax credits, charging, operating costs, and vehicle ranges will be available. Organized by Danville Energy Committee volunteers.
Sept 18 - FREE Weatherization-Technician Training - $300/week stipend
Do you like working with your hands? Start a new career as a Weatherization Technician. ReSOURCE’s FREE 6-week Weatherization 101 workshop starts September 18 in Newport. Gain hands-on instruction, trade credentials, and JOB PLACEMENT. Learn more and apply: https://resourcevt.org/training-programs/weatherization-101/
Sept 20 - NEK Energy Network Meeting (12-1:30 pm - online)
Join our next quarterly regional energy network meeting. Sarah Waring, USDA State Director VT/NH, will join us to provide an overview of some exciting rural energy program opportunities. In partnership with the State, participants will also have a chance to weigh in on where our electricity comes from and help shape the future of energy policy in Vermont.
Northeastern Vermont Development Association | PO Box 630, 36 Eastern Ave. Suite 1, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
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