NVDA ENERGY UPDATE Feb 2025
Vermont Climate Council Update
Annual Report to the General Assembly
Northeastern Vermont Development Association Check out last month's Vermont Climate Council's (VCC) report to the General Assembly, outlining progress and activities of the VCC in meeting the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction requirements set by the Vermont Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) of 2020. Read the annual report and get involved in future Climate Council efforts below.
Electrify Your Fleet Incentive Program
Up to $2,500 per vehicle!
While state funding for electric vehicle incentives for individuals has been depleted, incentives are still available to support organizations in transitioning fleets to electric vehicles. Vermont businesses, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for the Electrify Your Fleet incentive program. Applicants may receive up to $2,500 for each internal combustion engine vehicle replaced or avoided, with 20 incentives allowed per fleet. Funds may be applied toward the purchase or lease of new plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), electric bicycles, electric cargo bicycles, adaptive electric bicycles, electric all-terrain vehicles (ATVs, including UTVs), electric motorcycles, and electric snowmobiles.
NEW Rebates for Non-Profits
Up to $7,500 Cash back!
Running a nonprofit is hard work. Eligible non-profits can get up to 100% of your costs covered, up to $7,500, for energy-efficient equipment like kitchen appliances, heat pumps, and more!
NEK Home Weatherization
Vermont Public Story
According to NETO, on average, the program makes about $10,000 worth of improvements per home, installs about 1,500 square feet of insulation, and reduces drafts by about 40%.
VBSR Climate Resilience for Businesses
Feb 5, 5-6:30pm (Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier)
Join Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) and Vermont leaders in Montpelier for this VBSR People.Planet.Prosperity. Speaker Series event to explore insights, data, and systems of support for businesses adapting to climate change. While our changing climate is affecting all businesses, small businesses are particularly vulnerable. This is a great opportunity to catch up with colleagues, make new connections, gain new ideas and inspiration, and have some fun (networking after at Three Penny Taproom across the street)! This event is open to everyone interested in working toward a just, thriving, and transformative economy that works for all people and the planet.
EAN's Leveraging Change Speaker Series
Feb 6, 4:30pm - Hugo's Bar & Grille, Montpelier
Learn about zero-emission heating equipment standards: An emerging strategy to reduce pollution from buildings. Fossil fuel use in buildings—primarily for heating—is the second largest source of Vermont’s climate pollution. Zero-emission heating equipment standards are an emerging regulatory approach to reduce GHG emissions and air pollution from buildings. States across the U.S., from California to Maryland, are exploring emissions-based standards for new equipment as a strategy to help meet state-level climate commitments. Lena Stier, EAN’s Data Manager and Research Analyst, will facilitate a conversation with Emily Levin (NESCAUM) and Nancy Seidman (RAP) about the history of equipment standards, what is happening in other states, and considerations for advancement in Vermont.
VT Cap-and-Invest Study
Feb 10, 11am-1pm (hybrid)
Learn about the findings of Vermont’s Cap-and-Invest study during a special meeting of the Vermont Climate Council on Monday, February 10, 11am - 1pm. The meeting is hybrid with both in-person and virtual options to participate. This study evaluates options for Vermont that include linking with other states’ existing or proposed programs – either the Western Climate Initiative implemented in California and Quebec, or the New York Climate Initiative under development by New York State. Participants will hear the results of the study and can then share their thoughts with the Vermont Climate Council during the meeting’s public comment period.
PUC Proposed Rules for VT Clean Heat Standard
The Vermont Public Utilities Commission (PUC) submitted proposed rules for a clean heat standard to the state legislature, as required by a 2023 law, which now require approval by the legislature in order to move forward. In the report, the PUC noted that, while feasible, a clean heat standard may not be well-suited for Vermont because of its regulatory complexity, and offered possible alternatives to lawmakers, including a fuel tax on heating fuels to subsidize existing thermal efficiency programs. "The PUC offered possible alternatives to lawmakers, including a fuel tax on heating fuels that would generate new revenue to subsidize existing thermal efficiency programs at the Vermont Office of Economic Opportunity" (source: Vermont Public).
Drive Electric Vermont
New & Improved Website!
Drive Electric Vermont just launched a new and improved website with tons of practical information to help you figure out whether an EV is right for you. From home chargers to road trip planning and more, Drive Electric Vermont can help you take the next step on your EV journey.
Vermont Public - Deep Dive on Electric Panel Upgrades
In a state like Vermont that has such an old housing stock, many homes need electric panel upgrades in order to handle the extra load a heat pump or EV charger would require. These upgrades can be complicated and expensive, but luckily there are resources for Vermonters looking to take this step towards greater electrification.
State & Utility Coordination Can Maximize Impact of IRA Rebates
This ACEEE brief outlines how two actions—pairing Inflation Reduction Act rebates with utility efficiency efforts and growing those utility programs—could result in cost savings and job creation far beyond what the federal rebates can achieve.
Vermont Energy Education Program (VEEP)
FREE Community Workshops
VEEP's Community Workshops are a great way to start a conversation about weatherization or home electrification in your town. In these workshops, VEEP will bring you a chance to learn about these topics with fun hands-on explorations and scientific equipment, and you can pair it with local service providers or with residents talking about their experience making changes to their homes. Want to know how a heat pump actually works? Or why some insulation works better than others? Sign your town up for a FREE workshop now!
Downtown Transportation Fund - $200K grant
Application Deadline is Feb 17, 2025 @ 5pm
Since 1999, the Downtown Transportation Fund program has invested over $16 million in public infrastructure and helped municipalities update streetscaping, parking, rail, and bus facilities, bicycle and pedestrian safety, utilities, street lighting, and wayfinding signage. These vital infrastructural improvements to civic center’s directly contribute to healthier and happier communities.
Eligibility for Designated Village Centers
The Downtown Transportation Fund has expanded eligibility to Designated Village Centers that have participated in the Better Connections Program and Designated Village Centers that have completed a comprehensive downtown/village center/community area planning process with public input, comparable to the Better Connections Program. See the program application for a full list of eligible municipalities. Please note that the application includes a preliminary project review by Historic Preservation, which must be submitted at least 30 days in advance of the application deadline.
See the 2025 Downtown Transportation Fund Guidance and Application for complete details of the program. The maximum grant amount is $200,000 with a 20% match requirement.
Please contact Natalie Elvidge at [email protected] if you have questions or need assistance. Applicants are strongly encouraged to set up a pre-application meeting to discuss project ideas.
NEK Energy Network Meeting
Mar 6, 12-1:30pm (online)
Please join us for the next quarterly NEK Energy Network Meeting - all energy committees, community organizations and energy partners are welcome! Share best practices, lessons learned and success stories. Hear about the lastest energy incentives, rebates and programs available to benefit your community!
Meeting link: https://meet.google.com/ksa-ycxu-pdx
Or phone numbers: https://tel.meet/ksa-ycxu-pdx?pin=5123681481280
As always, if you have news or events to share email [email protected] -- or a colleague who'd like to subscribe -- please sign up here. We publish monthly.
Northeastern Vermont Development Association | PO Box 630 36 Eastern Ave. Suite 1 | St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 US
To support vital journalism, access our archives and get unique features like our award-winning profiles, Book of Lists & Business-to-Business Directory, subscribe HERE!
