Northeastern Vermont Development Association
Regional Planning & Economic Development in the Northeast Kingdom
ENERGY UPDATE September 2024
MERP Implementation Grant open for High/Highest Energy Burden Municipalities
Apply by Sept 20 - NVDA Assistance Available!
The MERP Implementation Grant application recently went live. Municipalities designated with high/highest energy burden by Efficiency Vermont's 2019 Report are eligible and must apply by Sept 20.
- If your community is ready to apply, an authorized representative may do so now using the form link provided on the BGS MERP website.
- Request NVDA application assistance by scheduling an online meeting with Carter Finegan or Allie Webster.
Unfortunately, low and moderate energy burden communities are no longer eligible to apply. The state made this decision in late August in order to expedite the awarding of funds to meet ARPA deadlines. We know this is disappointing news and NVDA is working with the other RPCs around the state to develop resources for communities that have been excluded from MERP funding. Please stay tuned for more details and feel free to reach out to us with any questions/concerns.
$50-100K Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) for VT Municipalities
Apply by Sept 23, 4:30pm - NVDA Assistance Available!
The VT Department of Public Service announced the re-release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program. The Competitive EECBG grants for municipalities provide funding to assist with enhancing energy efficiency and reducing fossil fuel emissions, particularly in the transportation and building sectors.
- All towns are eligible. In evaluating applications, towns identified as "disadvantaged” and/or that have a high energy burden will score higher
- Multiple towns can submit a joint application as long as one town agrees to be the "lead"
- Using the grant funds to benefit low-income residents is a plus
- The project has to be completed within 2 years
Eligible Funding Ideas:
- Purchase a bidirectional EV Truck (+ emergency/mobile battery power) and an EV charging station
Note: Municipalities or groups of municipalities that receive funding under EECBG Round 1 (deadline August 9, 2024) will not be eligible additional funding via the re-release of the EECBG RFP.
Enhanced incentives for Vermont residents whose cars have been damaged by 2024 flooding events will be available soon.
Up to $6,000 for new plug-in electric vehicles, up to $5,000 for scrapping a gas- or -diesel-powered car for cleaner transportation options, and up to $5,000 for income-eligible Vermonters for a qualifying used high-efficiency vehicle.
Qualifying low- and moderate-income Vermont homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $29,500 per household to replace flood-damaged appliances and equipment.
Businesses whose heating, cooling, refrigeration, or commercial kitchen equipment was damaged by recent floods can receive a flood recovery rebate of 100% of costs up to $4,000 per product for up to four products, in addition to standard offers.
Intro to Solar Installation & Design
FREE online course for NEK residents
Thanks to a VCRD Climate Catalyst grant NVDA can cover the cost for up to 20 NEK residents in this online training: "Intro to Solar Installation & Design." Please fill out the form to express your interest in signing up and NVDA will contact you regarding next steps and to cover payment. Questions? Please email Allie Webster, [email protected].
Intro to Solar Installation & Design - Online Course (Entry Level ~ 46 hrs)
This course is designed for beginners, so experience with electric or electronics is not necessary. It's fully online, and can be done at students' own pace/when they have time. The class focuses on the skills and knowledge required to design and install small-scale solar electrical systems. Learn more: https://solarpvtraining.com/courses/residential-solar-installation-design/
Get a New Heat Pump Water Heater for FREE!
An old hot water heater can be a drain on your monthly energy bill. Now income-eligible households can switch to a new heat pump water heater and get up to 100 percent of costs covered (up to $5,000). Don’t miss this opportunity to lock in big savings for your home.
Decarbonizing Energy: Setting & Measuring GHG Targets through Utility Energy Efficiency Programs
Sept 9, 2-3 pm (online)
States and utilities interested in reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) through energy efficiency programs have difficult decisions to make. These include how to set targets consistent with GHG reduction, how to measure progress toward those targets, and how to motivate these changes in the first place. This ACEEE webinar will explore a new report that can help us answer these questions. Attendees will hear about multiple methods for setting GHG goals within energy efficiency programs, the various methods utilities can use to translate energy savings into GHG reductions, and what motivations, policies, targets, and equity considerations go into such a transition.
350VT Community Solar Chat
Help set the date: Sept 9-20 (online)
Many Vermonters have indicated they want access to affordable, publicly-owned, community-scale solar. Come to this meeting to share what you think is essential for such a program to work. Ask questions about what a strong community solar program for Vermont should look like and help inform draft legislation that will be introduced this legislative session.
What's Happening with the Clean Heat Standard?
Sept 16 (online) - VECAN webinar
Join VECAN for a webinar on Vermont’s progress towards cutting climate pollution in the thermal sector and, in particular, the process underway at the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to explore a “Clean Heat Standard.” Hear what’s happening related to crafting a draft model rule to potentially establish a thermal performance standard to cut high-cost, planet-warming fossil fuel reliance. Get an update on the timeline for this important process, find out about the core components under consideration and hear how you might help ensure any CHS delivers on its pollution-reduction goals, while also cutting energy costs and benefiting Vermonters.
T4VT - Transportation for Vermonters
Grants available & request for stories!
T4VT is on a mission to connect Vermonter’s transportation experiences to policy and decision-makers. Share your story here.
Apply for a grant:
- Safe Streets and Roads for All (federal) - Planning & Demonstration Grants due August 29.
- Mobility & Transportation Innovations - small, medium and large grants up to $250,000. Due September 16.
- Small Grants for Smart Growth - seed grants up to $2,500. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Using Community Solar to Cut Energy Burdens in Manufactured Mobile Home Communities
Sept 18, 2-3pm (online)
Manufactured homes (aka “mobile” homes) are an important form of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income (LMI) households. But they can often be energy-inefficient and difficult to weatherize, resulting in high energy bills and energy burdens. Community solar can be a promising way to address these problems. Learn more in this webinar and read the report online based on success in NH.
Intro to Solar+Storage
Sept 19, 11am-12pm (online)
Solar combined with energy storage (solar+storage) can provide cost savings and keep essential services powered during grid outages. In this webinar, speakers from Clean Energy Group will answer some of the most commonly asked questions about the design, installation, and economics of solar and battery storage for homes, businesses, and community facilities.
This webinar will cover many of the topics in Clean Energy Group’s newly updated guide, "Understanding Solar+Storage: Answers to Commonly Asked Questions About Solar PV and Battery Storage" and a companion resource, "Solar+Storage Project Checklist", which serves as a quick and simple starting point for individuals and organizations who are considering solar+storage.
VT Municipal Vulnerability Indicator (MVI) Tool
A new online tool that helps towns across Vermont understand their vulnerabilities to climate change is now available.
Explore the MVI tool. Send questions to NVDA.
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!
