Regional Planning & Economic Development in the Northeast Kingdom
ENERGY UPDATE Dec 2025
Happy Holidays!
Your Guide to Sustainable & Fun Holiday Shopping
Check out Efficiency Vermont's collection of thoughtful, low- and no-cost gifts and experiences to brighten the season. There’s a little something for everyone!
NEW! Municipal Climate Toolkit
Vermont Climate Action Office
The Municipal Climate Toolkit is Vermont's one-stop, searchable local and regional climate planning hub.
These Vermont-specific resources can help towns and cities:
- update a municipal plan
- design a project
- find resources and technical assistance
- support climate adaptation
- build resilience
- reduce climate pollution
While designed for local planners, decision-makers, and officials, the toolkit is also a valuable resource for non-profits, businesses, schools, community groups, and individuals. Have an idea for a resource to add to the toolkit? Contact [email protected] or (802) 404-2729.
Vermont Energy Education Program (VEEP)
New Poster on Saving Energy, Saving Emissions
Schedule a FREE virtual home energy visit With Efficiency Vermont
Saving energy isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every home is slightly different. Vermonters, whether they rent or own their homes, can get a free Virtual Home Energy Visit to help identify opportunities to save energy. Efficiency Vermont energy experts work with families 1:1 to provide recommendations customized for the unique needs of each home—and for the unique priorities of each homeowner or renter.
VW Environmental Mitigation Funds
Dec 17, 4pm deadline to apply!
The application period for incentive funding from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust is now open! The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation will competitively award this funding to new vehicle electrification projects that reduce emissions from diesel-powered vehicles.
Funding will be available for the following Vehicle Electrification Projects:
All-Electric Replacement or Repower of 1992-2009 Class 4-8 Local Freight Trucks (e.g., courier services, delivery trucks, waste haulers, street sweepers, box trucks, dump trucks, concrete mixers, and more) and All-Electric Replacement or Repower of 1992-2009 Class 4-8 School, Shuttle, or Transit Buses.
Charge Vermont - EV Charging Grants
Apply soon - while NEK 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!
VECAN Winter Webinar on EAN Annual Report
Dec 10, 12-1pm (online)
Recently, the Energy Action Network (EAN) rolled out its latest 2025 Annual Progress Report on Energy, Affordability and Emissions, which offers an-in depth, data-backed analysis of the costs, benefits and opportunities of reducing Vermonters' reliance on fossil fuels. This analysis provides an essential foundation for the policies, programs, projects and investments Vermont communities and households can and should pursue to help cut energy costs and climate pollution.
Jared Duval, EAN's Executive Director, will overview the report's key findings and what they are likely to mean for Vermont households and businesses, as well as Vermont's progress towards its climate commitments and energy goals. Jared will be joined by VNRC’s Energy & Climate Program Director, Johanna Miller, and VPIRG’s Climate & Energy Program Director, Ben Edgerly Walsh. Hear from Johanna and Ben about opportunities to get involved during this legislative session and beyond to help reduce Vermonters’ energy burden and save money on transportation, heating, and electric bills.
MERP Efforts Underway
NEK Progress Report
The Municipal Energy Resilience Program (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.
Here's a snapshot of MERP progress to date in the Northeast Kingdom:
- $2.5 million in MERP funds distributed so far (out of $11.4 million awarded)
- 28 Heat Pumps installed
- 29 Building Envelopes improved
- 5 Oil Burners decommissioned
This spring, BGS will be reviewing all awardees to ensure they’ll be able to accomplish their scope of work. As detailed in Attachment B of the MERP grant agreement, March 31, 2026 is the deadline for BGS to redistribute funds if they find a municipality doesn’t have the capacity to fulfill the grant agreement. NVDA is here to help your community make a plan, assist with drafting RFPs, and get implementation projects rolling to demonstrate compliance, and ensure full retention of MERP awards. Schedule a meeting with Carter Finegan for NVDA support.
Northeastern Vermont Development Association | PO Box 630 36 Eastern Ave. Suite 1 | St. Johnsbury, VT
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