Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Buildings and General Services (BGS) announced today that the scoring and award determination period for the Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) Implementation Grants has completed, and in total, 126 municipalities will be awarded funds totaling to $35,906,142.
The grant process was very competitive, with the enabling legislation-established priorities having been considered in awarding the grants.
The priorities included:
· A town’s energy burden as defined in Efficiency Vermont’s Energy Burden Reports;
· A town’s administrative support to apply for grants;
· Geographic location;
· Community size; and
· Whether another division of the town has received a grant in the past.
Act 172 Section 4 (2)(c) of 2022 allocated $36 million in grant funding to municipally owned buildings in cities, towns, incorporated villages, fire districts, and all other governmental incorporated units (except school districts) to increase energy resiliency, reduce energy use and operating costs, and curb greenhouse gas emissions by promoting weatherization, thermal improvements, fuel switching, renewable energy, battery storage, electric vehicle charging, and enhanced comfort in municipal buildings.
“We are so excited to award more than $35 million dollars to municipalities to address their energy resiliency needs,” said BGS Commissioner Wanda Minoli. “With the help of our partners, our efforts will ensure municipal buildings become more energy efficient and reliable for Vermonters in the communities they serve.”
Municipalities should direct questions about the grant and process to their regional planning commissions. Additional partners for the program include the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network, and Efficiency Vermont.
Source: 11.12.2024. Montpelier, Vt. — Department of Buildings and General Services
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