Northeastern Vermont Development Association
Regional Planning & Economic Development in the Northeast Kingdom
ENERGY UPDATE May 2024
Make your Go Electric Plan!
May 15, 3pm (online)
Transitioning to safer, more efficient electric technologies is a process, not a single project. Whether you're ready to make the switch now or planning for the future, in this 30-minute webinar, you can learn how to create an electrification plan to upgrade your home for greater energy efficiency, reduced costs, increased comfort and safety. Also check out this *NEW* Vermont-specific “incentive calculator” giving households a personalized list of the many federal, state, and utility rebates and offers they can use for climate-friendly clean technologies and money-saving efficiency upgrades.
Public Comment on the Core Principles of Community Engagement and Environmental Justice
May 17 & 22 (in-person & online)
Please provide feedback at one of these events!
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) is hosting two events to receive feedback on the proposed Core Principles of Community Engagement (the Principles) under the Vermont Environmental Justice Law. The Principles will guide the creation of community engagement plans by the Agencies of Natural Resources, Transportation, Commerce and Community Development, Agriculture, and Education; the Public Utility Commission; the Natural Resources Board; and the Departments of Health, Public Safety, and Public Service.
Friday, May 17 4-5 pm
In-person location: Fletcher Free Library 234 College Street, Burlington, VT 05401
Meeting ID: 291 649 690 748
Passcode: 4Rgcxb
Dial-in by phone
+1 802-828-7667,,138349442#
Wednesday, May 22 12-1 pm
Virtual Location:
Microsoft Teams
Meeting ID: 269 178 141 110
Passcode: LYEx6A
Dial-in by phone
+1 802-828-7667,,299446378#
Submit Feedback Online by June 14
Communities Taking Charge Accelerator
May 20 - Concept Papers Due
The Department of Energy (DOE) has made available $54 million in new federal funding for projects that will expand community e-mobility access and provide clean reliable energy. The funding will drive innovation in equitable clean transportation and is aligned with strategies detailed in the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization. This program will make strategic investments at the local level that address key barriers to expanding access to electrified mobility options for individuals without home charging; accelerate the transition to electrified fleets; and mature the implementation of managed charging systems to mitigate impacts and optimize usage of the grid. Topic areas include:
- Solving for No-Home Charging: Expanding Charging Access for Privately Owned E-Mobility
- Expanding E-Mobility Solutions through Electrified Micro, Light and Medium-Duty Fleets
- Managed Charging for Clean Reliable Energy
Home Energy Rebate Program - $58M for Vermont
June 4, 6-7:30pm (online)
The Vermont Department of Public Service is holding a virtual public meeting to discuss its upcoming application to the Department of Energy under the Home Energy Rebate program. This meeting will provide an overview of the Department's conceptual proposals for deploying $58 million in federal funding Vermont expects to receive and solicit input on program design. The $8.8 billion Home Energy Rebate program was authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act and is being administered by the Department of Energy.
Your participation and feedback are encouraged to inform how these funds can best serve Vermonters by supporting weatherization and electrification initiatives. This will also be an opportunity to ask the Department questions about the Home Energy Rebate program. Questions? Please contact Ian Lund ([email protected])
or Melissa Bailey ([email protected]) directly.
Clean Heat Standard - PUC Feedback Request
June 6, 6-7:30pm
The Clean Heat Standard will impact what you pay to heat your home or business. Vermont Partnership for Fairness & Diversity is working with the Vermont Public Utility Commission (PUC) to fulfill their obligation under Act 18 of 2023 to create a Clean Heat Standard rule to present to the Vermont General Assembly. An anticipated outcome of their work will be new opportunities for you to save on your heating costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Your thoughts will inform the PUC as they create the new Clean Heat Standard. This potential Standard will serve as a critical component of Vermont’s effort to combat climate change and meet the Global Warming Solution Act’s goals.
Solar for All Vermont!
Over $62 million awarded
The Vermont Department of Public Service (PSD) is pleased to announce an award of $62.45 million for Solar for All Vermont (SAV), which will allow low-income Vermonters to access the benefits of solar power. This award is part of the historic $7 billion Solar For All Competition (SFA), which was created under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to lower energy costs for families, create jobs, advance environmental justice and tackle the climate crisis. Solar For All Vermont will allow qualifying low-income households to benefit from clean distributed energy. The program intends to offer three distinct options to Vermonters:
- Residential solar installations for homeowners
- Opportunities for membership in a community solar project
- Benefits for residents of affordable housing
May 31 Deadline for $4,000 MERP Mini-Grant!!
Guaranteed, Non-Competitive $4K!
The Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) has an education and outreach grant designed to reduce resident’s energy burden & build capacity for town’s energy resilience. What works best in each community varies! See MERP Mini-Grants in Action in the NEK->
The $4,000 can also be used to:
- Seed an energy committee
- Send mailers to homes regarding weatherization programs & rebates
- Hire a consultant for grant writing
- Hire a solar contractor
- Fund ADA assessments for municipal buildings
If your community hasn't already, be sure to secure this $4K grant for local education, outreach, & capacity-building. Contact Carter Finegan, NVDA MERP Coordinator, for assistance/Q&A.
VECAN Spring Summit
June 1, 9a-2pm, South Royalton
Join Energy Committees from across the state for the 2024 annual, in-person VECAN Spring Summit. Reconnect, collaborate and share conversation as we work to advance just and bold climate action - Register now! Share your agenda ideas here.
Legislative Roundup 2024
June 28, 10-11:30am (online)
This VCLN workshop will bring together voices from the Admin, legislature, and advocacy groups to share key highlights from the 2024 session and how your community can connect to potential opportunities that may emerge in the year ahead.
Northeastern Vermont Development Association.
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