Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Buildings and General Services (BGS) has announced that all communities that will have completed assessments through the Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) during the grant application period are now eligible to apply for implementation grants of up to $500,000. All 14 Vermont counties are represented in this group of over 200 municipalities, with over 500 facility energy assessments completed to date.
BGS expects the grant process to be very competitive, the enabling legislation established priorities to be considered in awarding the grants.
The priorities include:
• 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.
A town may request grant funding for any project or combination of projects identified in an assessment report, up to a total of $500,000 per community. “We are delighted to be able to open the implementation grants to a broader range of communities, although we are mindful the amount of available grant funding will not allow every town’s needs to be met” said BGS Commissioner Jennifer M.V. Fitch, P.E.
MERP provides staff support; application and technical assistance; and funding to increase energy resilience, 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. Municipally owned buildings in cities, towns, incorporated villages, fire districts, and all other governmental incorporated units (except school districts) are eligible.
The MERP grant will be administered by the state’s Department of Buildings and General Services, in partnership with Vermont’s regional planning commissions. Applications for the implementation grant are now due September 27. Details are available on the Department of Buildings and General Services website.
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: 9.11.2024. Montpelier, Vt. — The Department of Buildings and General Services
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