Your Update on Vermont and National Energy News

We hope this email finds you dry and safe as Vermont starts the recovery process from yet another flooding event!

EAN’s next in person Leveraging Change Speaker Series event on Climate Resilience Successes and Opportunities may unfortunately be more timely than anticipated when planned. We hope you will consider joining us in Montpelier on January 24 at 5pm for this conversation about climate resilience with speakers Sue Minter, Executive Director of Capstone Community Action and Neale Lunderville, President & CEO of VGS, who both served as Chief Recovery Officers after Tropical Storm Irene. Peter Walke, Managing Director of Efficiency Vermont, will moderate the conversation.

We will also have plenty of time for Networking. Light food and non-alcoholic beverages will be supplied by Cafe Noa. Attendees are welcome to bring alcoholic beverages (BYOB). This event was originally scheduled for November, but was postponed due to illness.

Registration Required

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our previous Leveraging Change Speaker Series: Local Ordinances to Reduce GHG Pollution on December 5th in Burlington. Slides from that event are now available on our website.

Wishing all a healthy and safe holiday season.

Cara, Jared, and Lena

Which countries are polluting the most?

Data from Climate Action Tracker reveals how much GHG pollution is being spewed out, who the biggest polluters are, and how much progress is still needed.

CNN

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EPA lays groundwork for stronger climate rules

The EPA released an updated rule to cut methane emissions and unveiled an updated estimate of the social cost of carbon dioxide.

The Hill

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How electricity is changing, country by country

This New York Times interactive shows how electricity production has been changing in different parts of the world.

NY Times

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Data Download

The efficiency benefits of electrifying our vehicles

Many people know that heat pumps can be significantly more efficient than fossil fuel heating equipment, but fewer know that the same is true when it comes to electric vehicles (EVs). According to fueleconomy.gov, gas vehicles typically lose between 68-72% of the energy they consume to heat and other engine losses. In other words, only 16-25% of the energy they consume is actually delivered to the wheels. EVs, on the other hand, tend to achieve much higher efficiency rates, between 87-91% on average. This is in part due to regenerative braking technology, which allows EVs to recover about 1/5th of the energy they use. As a result, less energy is needed overall to power an electric vehicle than a gas or diesel vehicle. 

This is just one example of the efficiency gains that can be achieved when we electrify the most fossil fuel-dependent sectors, transportation and thermal. As the International Energy Agency describes it, “Electrification is efficiency.” Read EAN’s Annual Progress Report for Vermont for more information and check out this helpful article by Hannah Ritchie to learn more about how electrification can make the global energy system more efficient. 

Member Profile: Drive Electric Vermont

Vermont now has more than 10,000 EVs on the road! 

As federal, state and utility incentives change over time, the Drive Electric Vermont website remains an up-to-date resource for Vermonters and Vermont businesses to find the information they need to make decisions about EV purchasing and charging. With federal incentives changing again for 2024, the Drive Electric Vermont website will remain a critical information resource for Vermont. Drive Electric Vermont is coordinated by VEIC as a statewide public-private partnership accelerating transportation electrification in the green mountain state. Their work focuses on education and outreach, EV charging infrastructure development, EV incentive programs, and coordinating stakeholder activities.

Learn more

Leveraging Change Speaker Series: Climate Resilience Successes and Opportunities

Join EAN for a conversation with speakers Sue Minter, Executive Director of Capstone Community Action and Neale Lunderville, President & CEO of VGS, who both served as Chief Recovery Officers after Tropical Storm Irene. Peter Walke, Managing Director of Efficiency Vermont, will moderate the conversation.

Montpelier, January 24 at 5pm

Learn more and register

Business Coaching for Energy Pros with VSJF

Tools of the Trade is a business training program designed to support the needs of builders and contractors in the energy efficiency and renewable energy business. This includes home performance and weatherization contractors, renewable energy and energy-efficiency oriented builders, electricians, and energy audit businesses. This 18-month business coaching program is designed to improve executive business skills and enhance core operations.

Applications due by December 22!

Learn more and apply

VCRD Climate Resilient Communities Program

Vermont Council on Rural Development is accepting applications for their Climate Economy Resilient Communities program in 2024.

Learn more and apply

VEEP Adult Programming

Vermont Energy Education Program brings experiential learning to K-12 classrooms across VT, so students and teachers can understand where our energy comes from and how our energy usage impacts the climate. In support of the Climate Action Plan, they are now offering our hands-on workshops for adult audiences as well. These workshops are especially useful to communities that are considering weatherization initiatives, transportation planning, or other energy conservation/emissions reduction work. 

Learn more

DeltaClimeVT Climate Economy Accelerator

Are you an entrepreneur of an innovative, start-up and/or seed stage, energy company offering innovative products or services aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions? DeltaClimeVT Business Accelerator wants YOU for their Energy 2024 business accelerator program! Application period ends February 5, 2024.

Learn more and apply

Per capita emissions data shows Vermont lagging behind much of the Northeast

Per capita, VT produces more climate emissions than any other state in New England except NH, and it ranks third in the Northeast for highest emissions. 

VT Digger

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Lawmakers talk progress on climate bills, future work

Sen. Chris Bray and Rep. Amy Sheldon spoke with community members about climate bills, and areas where the state could be doing more to address climate change.

Addison Independent

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Burlington Electric on push toward renewable energy

Burlington Electric General Manager Darren Springer talks about solar, the future of McNeil, and where Vermont electric rates may be headed in the future

My NBC5

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