Regional Planning & Economic Development in the Northeast Kingdom
ENERGY UPDATE November 2024
Climate Action Plan Input Sessions in November
Vermont Climate Council’s subcommittees are hosting virtual input sessions on the Climate Action Plan (CAP) update. Learn about each subcommittee’s proposed direction for their portion of the update. Join in to share your perspective on these important issues!
Transportation
November 7, 12:30 – 2:00 pm
Rural Resilience and Businesses
November 8, 12:00 – 1:30 pm
Agriculture
November 12, 12:00 – 1:30 pm
Natural Lands and Forestry
November 13, 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Rural Resilience and Town Support
November 15, 12:00 – 1:30 pm
VT CAP Input Session for **Municipalities**
November 19 – Two Different Times Offered (online)
11 am – 12:30 pm – Register here!
6 pm – 7:30 pm – Register here!
The Vermont Climate Council is updating the state’s Climate Action Plan (CAP). Subcommittees of the Council are holding a series of virtual public meetings to get input on their initial ideas for the update. This meeting will touch on a diverse array of proposals for the Climate Action Plan – from cutting climate pollution to land use to adaptation and resilience. The 11/19 meeting will be specifically focused on actions that are implemented at the town level. Town staff, elected officials, and volunteers are invited to share their perspectives, concerns, stories, and knowledge with the Subcommittee. **Note that the 11/15 Rural Resilience Input Session (mentioned above) is geared towards organizations that provide support to towns. All are welcome to attend.
Do you have something to say but cannot make it to this meeting? Reach out through any of the methods below and your words will be shared with the Subcommittee at their next regularly scheduled meeting.
Closed captioning will be provided. Are there any accommodations we can make to assist or improve your ability to participate? Please contact Sophi Veltrop with accessibility requests, including language interpretation, at [email protected] or (802) 522-9555. *Language interpretation requests should be made five days in advance of the meeting.
FREE Energy Consultations for Businesses!
Efficiency Vermont offers free energy consultations for businesses looking to save money and energy. Sign up for a consultation to get:
A clear understanding of what systems are wasting energy and money
A prioritized plan and resources for cost-effective projects
Current financial incentives and custom rebates to minimize up-front cost
Purely objective recommendations and a direct contact from our team for all future project needs or questions
How to Negotiate a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA)
A Community Benefits Agreement or “CBA” is a contract signed by community groups, a real estate developer, and sometimes a government body that requires the developer to provide specific amenities and/or mitigations to the local community or neighborhood. Site-specific community benefits agreements (CBAs) ensure that development projects create meaningful opportunities for local workers and communities. This fully updated how-to guide is reposted from PowerSwitch Action’s “Community Benefits Agreements” policy toolkit.
Vermont Municipal Bond Bank Announces $40 Million!
USDA Low-interest Energy Loans now available
The Vermont Bond Bank announced $40M in low-interest loan funding for schools and municipalities for energy and weatherization improvements. This funding comes from the USDA Rural Energy Savings Program loan program. Currently, the program offers loans with ~2% interest at a term limit of 10 years. Municipalities interested in this program can contact NVDA for help with prioritization of local projects, loan application development, and project management assistance.
NEK Together 2024 Event
November 14, Burke Mountain
The Collaborative will be hosting its annual region-wide convening: NEK Together 2024. Every fall the NEK Collaborative brings the Kingdom together to celebrate the NEK and explore solutions to our most pressing challenges. Share ideas, make connections, and have a wonderful day on Burke Mountain!
Sessions will include…
Addressing the NEK Housing Crisis. We need creative solutions, and we need to work together to find them.
Vermont Forest Future Strategic Roadmap. Strengthen, modernize, promote, and protect Vermont’s forest products sector and the broader forest economy.
Flood Recovery and Resilience for the Future. Come hear stories of success and the impact of neighbors helping neighbors!
Cap-and-Invest Study for Vermont
A Climate Pollution Reduction Strategy
The Agency of Natural Resources and Agency of Transportation are studying cap-and-invest as a potential strategy that could support meeting the State’s requirements for cutting climate pollution. A cap-and-invest program puts a declining cap on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and invests money in energy efficiency, clean energy, and resilience. Watch the recent public meeting to learn more about the study!
$400 Million in Funding to Lower Energy Costs & Enhance Energy Resiliency
New funding for rural and remote communities!
The Department of Energy’s OCED plans to fund anywhere from 20-50 projects with a 5–50% minimum non-federal cost share per project. Eligible applicants include tribes and tribal organizations, state and local governmental entities, non-profit and for-profit entities, rural electric cooperatives, farming associations and cooperatives, labor unions, institutions of higher education, and both incorporated and unincorporated consortia.
The funding announced today is part of the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) Program, which aims to fund community-driven projects that demonstrate clean energy systems, deliver measurable and sustained benefits to people who live in areas with fewer than 10,000 people, and build clean energy knowledge, capacity, and self-reliance throughout rural America. The funding opportunity provides support for rural and remote communities to build clean energy projects that provide benefits to their communities—ranging from cleaner, more resilient, more reliable, and more affordable local energy sources for rural and remote communities, to local energy independence, tax revenue, economic development, local jobs, and a reduced environmental and health burden.
EAN Post-Election Gathering
Dec 3 – Capitol Plaza, Montpelier
EAN will also be hosting a Post-Election Gathering on Dec 3 in Montpelier. This will be a chance to hear from State Leaders about their priorities and engage in conversation about new and emerging opportunities and challenges at the federal and state levels. Register before the early bird deadline on Nov 11!
EAN 2024 Annual Progress Report
The Annual Progress Report for Vermont provides an in-depth analysis of where Vermont stands relative to its climate commitments and energy goals. This year’s report highlights the solutions and opportunities that we can harness to build a more just and thriving Vermont and ensure that we, as a state, are doing our part toward reducing climate pollution.
Efficiency Vermont Energy Services for Rental Properties
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