Regional Planning & Economic Development in the Northeast Kingdom
ENERGY UPDATE Oct 2023
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Button Up NEK - Save Money, Be Cozy!
When: Saturday, Oct 14, 10am - 1pm
Where: Island Pond, Brighton Town Hall (49 Mill St, Island Pond, VT 05846)
Button Up Vermont will be in Island Pond this Saturday for the “NEK Weatherization for All” event. Join NVDA and Energy Partners from across the NEK for this FREE, FUN & ENERGIZING event! Take a trip to scenic Island Pond, explore the Town of Brighton and explore smart + affordable energy strategies for EVERYONE.
Representatives from Efficiency Vermont, HEAT Squad, NETO, NEKCA, RuralEdge, VPPSA, and VEC will provide information on incentives, rebates, grants, and programs for homeowners, renters, and landlords, alike. This is the opportunity to ask questions such as “How can I afford to weatherize?”, “Is it worth the time and cost?”, and “Where do I start?”
Local, seasonal refreshments, door prizes, and raffles will be provided. Guests have the chance to win a free home energy audit from HEAT Squad, gift cards to local hardware stores to encourage DIY weatherization, and more. After the main event, all guests are invited to explore Island Pond and the breathtaking fall foliage display at its peak.
VT's Environmental Justice (EJ) Law Updates
1) Now hiring! Environmental Justice Coordinator. Applications due Oct 16. View the job posting here.
2) Next meeting of the EJ Advisory Council and EJ Interagency Committee is set for Monday, Oct 23, 1-4pm (online). Details available here: Calendar | Agency of Natural Resources (vermont.gov)
3) Review the EJ Advisory Council and Interagency Committee draft set of “Core Principles” - intended to guide the development of state agency community engagement plans that is next set to go through a 45-day (minimum) public input process before being finalized.
Free REV event - Empowering Municipal Solar
Oct 19, 1:30pm - DoubleTree by Hilton, Burlington
Renewable Energy VT conference will be happening from Oct 18 & 19 and the deadline to register is quickly approaching (Oct 16)!
This year REV and regional planning commissions have organized an opportunity specifically designed for you! Municipal and regional energy advocates are invited to meet with solar + storage developers to network and learn about opportunities for municipal solar projects. Individuals and communities in all stages of planning for municipal or community solar projects are welcome.
This special event will occur on Oct 19 @ 1:30pm at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Burlington. If you would like to attend, you have a number of registration options:
- If you would ONLY like to attend this conversation, choose the "Empowering Municipal Solar" at the very bottom of the ticket option list. This will provide you with a FREE ticket to this one event on 10/19.
- If you want to purchase a ticket for the full conference, you can use the ticket code "23Special-R3V150" to get a $150 discount!
VT DPS Notice of Public Hearing on NVDA's Request for a Determination of Energy Compliance pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 4352
Oct 25, 6:30pm - 36 Eastern Ave, St. Johnsbury
The Vermont Department of Public Service (“Department”) invites the public to a hearing to provide input on the Northeastern Vermont Development Association’s Regional Plan, including the Northeastern Vermont Development Association’s (“NVDA”) Energy Plan. These plans are available for review on the Department’s website at http://publicservice.vermont.gov/. NVDA is seeking a certification from the Department that these plans comply with energy planning requirements set forth in statute.
- Hearing location: The public hearing will be conducted in person on Wednesday, Oct 25, 6:30 PM at 36 Eastern Avenue, St Johnsbury, VT 05819. Meeting details and related materials are available on the Department’s website at https://publicservice.vermont.gov/northeastern-vermont-development-association-updated-and-readopted-july-29-2023
- Public comment: The public is encouraged to submit written comments regarding this request to the Department via email at [email protected]. Please include the heading “NVDA’s Determination Request Comments” in the subject line.
The hearing site is accessible for individuals with disabilities.
Please contact Claire McIlvennie for more information at [email protected] or 802.461.6333. Please request accommodations at least seven days in advance of the hearing.
Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund
Deadline: Nov 6, 5pm
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD), in collaboration with the Vermont Low Income Trust for Electricity (VLITE), Vermont Community Foundation (VCF), and Vermont State Employees Credit Union (VSECU), invites applications for small grants to support local innovators developing solutions that move Vermont closer to its climate and energy goals. The objective of the fund is to support innovative local projects for which a small grant could have a meaningful impact.
Grant awards will be made ranging from $500 to a maximum of $4,000. Funds can be awarded to a municipality, school, non-profit organization, town energy committee or business. VCRD is open to working with potential grantees that lack the organizational infrastructure to accept funds directly.
Past NEK recipients have used this to fund projects like solar + storage, e-bike lending library, weatherization support, farm efficiency mini-grants and more!
FREE on-site Energy Visits for Businesses
Efficiency Vermont is offering free on-site energy visits to all Vermont businesses. These consultations give businesses access to rebate offers, financing solutions, and technical advice. The result: lower energy costs and a more resilient business.
Schedule a walkthrough today, even if you plan to make energy updates further down the road. Your consultant may be able to provide low and no-cost ways to start lowering your energy bills now.
EVT Flood Recovery Rebates for Businesses
Efficiency Vermont’s team of technical consultants are offering assistance for businesses recovering from flooding. Businesses whose heating, cooling, refrigeration, or commercial kitchen equipment was damaged by recent floods can receive a $1,000 flood recovery rebate per product, up to four products, in addition to standard offers, for the purchase of new qualifying equipment.
ClimateReadyVT - Applications due Oct 17
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) has launched ClimateReadyVT, a new, free program designed to help small businesses in Vermont adapt to our changing climate and build resilience to climate-related business interruptions. Registration is open through October 17 and the cohort will convene starting in early November. Twenty businesses located in Vermont with 50 employees or fewer will participate in the inaugural cohort, with priority given to businesses that are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and woman owned/managed, as well as those located in rural Vermont.
Know a small business interested in adapting their business to the changing climate and being prepared for the next climate-related business disruption? Encourage them to apply!
VEC and the Modern Electric Grid: What You Need to Know
Oct 26, 12pm (online)
Join us for a stimulating conversation about VEC’s innovations, the modern electric grid, and what the current energy transformation means to our communities in northern Vermont. EVs and heat pumps are gaining ground. But can the electric grid handle the increased demand? And equity - how can the energy transition benefit all Vermonters, no matter their financial circumstances? Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from VEC’s Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Towne and Innovation and Technology Leader Cyril Brunner as they tackle these challenging and timely issues and take your questions.
Oct 31 Deadline for *Free* MERP 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.
Volunteers Needed this Oct & Nov!
Please help at a Window Dressers Community Build near you. Neighbors helping neighbors, gathered in a local building, talking and laughing while building Insulating Window Inserts + FREE food! Those who are receiving the inserts are working alongside other community volunteers. No experience needed -- training provided on the day you arrive. Morning or afternoon shifts available each day. A variety of jobs available for all abilities, ages, and mobility levels.
More funding coming soon...
Vermont Diesel Emissions Reduction Financial Assistance Program
The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will once again be offering incentive funding this fall through the Vermont Diesel Emissions Reduction Financial Assistance Program! This funding will be competitively awarded to projects that reduce emissions from diesel-powered vehicles, engines, and nonroad equipment. Funding will be available for NEW projects only. Eligibility requirements apply.
**Incentive funding will be made available later this fall. Now is the time to plan ahead prior to the application period. Check DEC's website for updates.**
Funding will be available for:
- Replacement of diesel-powered heavy-duty vehicles, engines, and nonroad equipment with electric (battery, grid, or fuel cell), alternative fuel, or newer diesel options;
- Retrofitting with emission control technologies;
- Engine replacements;
- Clean alternative fuel conversions;
- Installation of idle reduction technologies;
- Aerodynamic technologies and low rolling resistance tires; and
- Electrified parking spaces for transport refrigeration units and truck stop electrification projects.
EPA 2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) Rebate Program
EPA has announced the 2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) Rebate Program! This is the second rebate funding opportunity through the multi-year funding program. Under the 2023 Rebate Program, EPA anticipates awarding at least $500 million in rebate funding with the potential to modify this figure based on the application pool and other factors.
Eligible applicants can apply to receive funding for the purchase of up to 25 zero-emission (ZE) and/or clean school buses, along with ZE charging infrastructure and eligible workforce development costs. Selectees may be eligible for Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits applicable to their bus and infrastructure purchases. For example, the Clean Vehicle tax credits for qualifying school buses are worth up to $40,000.
**Applicants must submit all materials by Jan 31, 2024, at 4:00 PM**
NVDA is Hiring - Join our Team!
1) Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) Coordinator:
Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA) seeks a detail-oriented Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) Coordinator to assist with the successful implementation of Act 172 in the Northeast Kingdom (NEK) in close coordination with Vermont Buildings and General Services (BGS), supporting MERP partners/vendors, and NVDA staff. The MERP Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing the scheduling and implementation details of the VT Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) and will play a critical role in ensuring that our NEK municipalities have a competitive chance toward receiving $500,000 MERP implementation grants to help improve the energy performance and resiliency of their municipal buildings.
2) Regional Planner:
NVDA seeks a highly skilled and self-motivated individual for a full-time Regional Planner position to work with a team of dedicated professionals, municipal officials, and regional partners. This planner will work under the direct supervision of the Executive Director in support of regional plan development and strategic implementation, town plan and bylaw development, and the leadership and administration of special projects in support thereof. This is grassroots planning at its core, requiring the ability and enthusiasm to work directly with the public, volunteer planning commissions, and town staff persons. Knowledge of planning areas is necessarily broad, and includes land use and working landscape planning, community and economic development, natural resource and water quality planning, as well as transportation, hazard mitigation, climate resilience, and energy planning in a scenic and rural environment.
Northeastern Vermont Development Association | PO Box 630, 36 Eastern Ave. Suite 1, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819