Regional Planning & Economic Development in the Northeast Kingdom
ENERGY UPDATE March 2025
NEK MERP Support provided by NVDA
March 31 Quarterly Reporting Deadline
MERP Implementation Grant funds are rolling out and project development has begun in our region! MERP awardees, if you have any questions or technical assistance needs, please reach out to Carter Finegan at [email protected] or call 802-227-2506. Quarterly Reports are due at the end of this month. Additional NVDA guidance/walkthrough coming soon!
NVDA is here to help and can assist with:
- Financial Hardship application (easy & quick turnaround of funds)
- Submitting required BGS documentation
- Historical Review process
- Connecting with contractors or local vendors
- Best practices for initiating projects
NEK Energy Network Meeting
March 6, 12-1:30pm (online)
Please join NVDA for the 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 latest 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
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Save the Date! VT Climate Action Plan Input Session
April 14, 6-7:30 pm (in-person @ Hardwick Town House)
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.
VEDA Commercial Energy Loan Program
$6 million maximum loan size
This program helps Vermont businesses finance qualifying renewable energy generation and energy efficiency improvement projects. VEDA may either make its own direct loan or purchase a portion of another Financial Institution's loan. Eligibility details:
- Individuals, partnerships, corporations (profit and non-profit), LLCs and municipalities planning to undertake a project for construction of or improvements to a renewable energy generating facility; to make energy efficiency improvements to an existing facility; and/or to adopt technologies that enhance or support the development and implementation of renewable energy or energy efficiency, or both;
- Projects funding construction of renewable energy generation or efficiency improvements for individual or small residential properties are not eligible.
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!
Flood Resources
Get EVT rebates before they sunset in June!
Efficiency Vermont is available to help homeowners and businesses repair or rebuild as energy-efficiently and safely as possible after the recent flooding disasters.
Energy Fairs Galore!
Check the EVT calendar for events in your area
Save the date(s)! Many locally-led energy events are taking place across the state and several in the NEK:
- March 6, Craftsbury Energy Committee Presentation
- April 1, St. Johnsbury Rental Property Owner Resilience Open House
- May 17, Wheelock Energy Fair
Lower Bills, Warmer Homes: Overcoming Barriers to Heat Pump Adoption
March 11, 2-3pm (online)
Electrification is a key strategy for reducing emissions and mitigating climate change. However, households may be hesitant to electrify their homes due to concerns about rising energy bills. This is particularly true in cold climates, where home heating is more energy intensive.
This webinar will explore state and utility-level solutions to encourage home heating electrification with heat pumps while ensuring it is affordable and accessible. ACEEE will highlight electricity rate structures that help keep post-electrification energy bills down, and behavioral strategies for breaking down non-financial barriers, such as lack of awareness or contractor reluctance.
Round #3 open for Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grants for Municipalities
Apply by March 21 - $Up to 200K!
This is the third funding cycle under the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, which aims to assist local governments in enhancing energy efficiency and reducing fossil fuel emissions, particularly in the transportation and building sectors. The initiative focuses on creating a sustainable and equitable energy economy, prioritizing disadvantaged communities, and promoting inclusive workforce opportunities. Municipalities are invited to propose projects that align with these goals, selecting from a range of eligible activities designed to improve local and regional energy strategies.
Mobilizing for Vermont's Extreme Weather
March 27, 5-7pm (Montpelier)
Join legislators, climate partners, and community members for a conversation about climate funding in Vermont and take part in interactive breakout sessions. Hosted by Rebuild by Design, VPIRG, VNRC, and VCRD. This builds on three webinars with local and national examples: Navigating Vermont Climate Risks & Building Resilience in Rural Communities, Flood Insurance and Housing, and Regional Planning and Leveraging Nature as Climate Infrastructure. Watch past webinars here.
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 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!
Vermont Bond Bank Energy Innovation Fund
Learn more - Watch the webinar recording
If you missed VECAN’s most recent webinar, you can find the recording here. This was a great presentation about an exciting loan program through the Vermont Bond Bank to help Vermont communities unlock funding for municipal energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. We heard from Michael Gaughan, Executive Director of the Vermont Bond Bank, and Deirdre Holmes, Chair of the Charlotte Energy Committee. Find more information about the Vermont Bond Bank and their program on their website, or email Michael at [email protected] and Deirdre at [email protected] to learn more.
Residential Building Energy Standard (RBES) Training for Municipal Staff
Save the date! May 15, 11am-12pm
Residential Building Energy Standard (RBES) a.k.a. the Building Energy Code, is a minimum standard for energy efficient construction that applies to all new residential construction, additions, most renovations, alterations, and repairs. As per Act 89 of 2013, municipal officials must provide RBES information when a residential building or zoning permit is applied for. This educational session will explain RBES in more detail and provide municipal staff with information and tools to assist builders and ensure RBES certificates are recorded in the land records.
Northeastern Vermont Development Association | PO Box 630 36 Eastern Ave. Suite 1 | St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 US
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