Regional Planning & Economic Development in the Northeast Kingdom
ENERGY UPDATE Sept 2025
NVDA 2026 Regional Plan Update
Take the Quick Survey - Enter to Win an E-Mower & Chainsaw!
Weigh in on the next NEK Regional Plan and get involved in the planning process this fall! Take NVDA's quick survey (~5 mins) for a chance to win one of the grand prizes: an Electric Lawn Mower or Electric Chainsaw (total worth ~$800)! Winner will be announced this November.
Please Join Us at NVDA's Next Event: Hardwick Farmers Market - Hardwick, Sept 19, 3-6pm
- More events to be announced soon! Check: https://tinyurl.com/2026NEKplan
Federal Tax Credits for EVs
Expire Sept 30, 2025!
Time is running out for Vermonters to get federal tax credits (up to $7,500) when leasing or buying a new or used EV. Drive Electric Vermont put together a simple guide to help navigate the process before the end of September. Act now!
Charge Vermont - EV Charging Grants for NEK
Apply soon - while funds last!
Getting an EV Charger in Vermont? Looking to add a charger for employees or residential tenants? Charge Vermont can help cover the costs. Funding is still available to workplaces and multi-unit residences in all three NEK Counties (Essex, Orleans, and Caledonia).
- If you are a women or minority-owned applicant, there is 0% match.
- If you are a non-profit, government agency or multi-unit dwellings (with 50% or more affordable housing units) applicant, there is a 5% match.
- First come, first served - through August 1, 2026 (next year)!
- Learn more and apply!
FREE Consultations from Drive Electric VT
EV Charging for Businesses & Municipalities
There are many benefits to installing EV charging at local businesses and public spaces. Drive Electric Vermont offers free consultations to help organizations get started. They'll get expert advice on picking a location, choosing a charging level, and how to make the investment pay off.
Resilience Opportunities & Actions
From the VT Climate Action Office
Through a year-long collaborative process, the State of Vermont has identified opportunities and actions to improve Vermont's resilience to the harmful impacts of climate change. Over the next month, the Treasurer’s Office is working to identify costs of key actions. The Climate Action Office will announce the full Resilience Implementation Strategy in September…stay tuned!
Attention Businesses! Get 2x Rebates
For Efficiency Upgrades
Running a business means wearing many hats. For a limited time, Efficiency Vermont is offering double the money back on custom business rebates. You read that right: Double. Share this great offer with your local businesses to help make efficiency upgrades more affordable.
Button Up Vermont
Efficiency Vermont Support!
Energy committees across the state are getting ready to host Energy Fairs for their communities for this year's Button Up VT efforts! Whether you would like to plan a standalone Button Up event in your community or are already participating in or tabling at an established event (such as a farmers’ market or WindowDressers workshop), Efficiency Vermont can help you get the word out and provide materials. Check out the Partner Toolbox section of the Button Up website to request materials for your event.
Solar+Storage for Community Health Centers
Sept 11, 2-3pm (online)
Join Clean Energy Group for a FREE webinar! Guest speakers will provide an overview of the Solar+Storage Microgrids for Rural Community Health Centers Project, a U.S. Department of Energy-funded effort focused on building the energy preparedness of rural community health centers in the Southeast. Applications are currently open for this program, which provides no-cost technical assistance and approximately 70% in grants to develop and install a solar+storage system.
Vermont Home Energy Profile (VHEP)
NEW Free, Online Home Energy Assessment Tool
The Vermont Home Energy Profile (VHEP) is a free, online home energy assessment tool that grants homeowners and homebuyers a clear and standardized report of a home’s energy usage, projected costs, and opportunities for efficiency improvements, all in under ten minutes. Homeowners across the state of Vermont can use VHEP for free to learn more about their home’s energy profile. Technical support is available through Efficiency Vermont and ClearlyEnergy. This is a great resource and opportunity for Energy Committees to share with their community!
2025 Best Practices Exchange
Sept 17 & 18 (Killington, VT)
The 2025 Best Practices Exchange (BPX) will take place Sept 17 & 18 at the Killington Grand Resort Hotel in Killington, Vermont. Secure your spot today!
At BPX, facility managers, decision-makers, experienced mechanical contractors, and relevant product manufacturers collaborate with Efficiency Vermont’s Account Management and Energy Consultant teams to share industry best practices.
The BPX schedule of events has been published! Attendees from non-sponsoring organizations can register for free, but an advance RSVP is required. Registration covers pre-event activities on Wed, Sept 17, as well as breakfast, lunch, and presentations on Thurs, Sept 18.
VT AOT Symposium 2025: A People-Centered Approach to Transportation
Sept 24, 8:45am-3:30pm (Barre Auditorium)
This year’s symposium will feature a wide range of presentations and poster sessions highlighting Vermont-related research and innovations. View the Symposium agenda and list of 34 projects shared in four technical sessions in the link below.
Save the Date! In-Person VECAN Conference
Sat, Nov 1 (Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee)
Join VECAN on Saturday, Nov 1 at the Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee. Learn about programs and opportunities that leaders can implement locally, as well as steps we can take together in our communities to bring forward needed climate action.
- Save the date! VECAN would love to see as many of you there as possible to build connections and momentum, so mark your calendars!
- Share your ideas! What initiatives and events are you working on? What roadblocks have you run into? What’s something you’d like to learn more about at the VECAN conference?
Northeastern Vermont Development Association | PO Box 630 36 Eastern Ave. Suite 1 | St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 US
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