As we pass the halfway point of the legislative session, many Network members are following the progress of several key initiatives related to the work of EAN Network Action Teams. In particular, we wanted to highlight the Clean Heat Standard and Switch and Save.

 

 

Our staff team is working closely with over 100 Network Members to support the Network Action Teams, while also taking time each week to develop our Annual Progress Report for Vermont to come out later in the year. Thanks for all you contribute to this Network!

Sincerely,

Jared, Cara, Mei, and Matt

 

EAN’s Community Energy Dashboard, specifically our “Community Progress Maps” tool, helps show where and how key clean energy progress is happening over time and across Vermont. For example, you can see in the two graphs above the adoption rates of heat pumps for space heating and of heat pump hot water heaters, respectively. Note that while heat pumps for space heating are growing at a significant rate – about a 50% year over year growth rate in each of the last four years – the adoption of heat pump water heaters has been more flat — even though heat pump water heaters can deliver significant cost and greenhouse gas savings. This is a major reason why a ‘Switch and Save’ Network Action Team has been working on ways to increase awareness and use of heat pump water heaters (their work is highlighted below). Note: for 2021, added heat pumps (graph 1) are expected to be between 12-15k based on preliminary Efficiency Vermont estimates.

 

To find these graphs (among many others) on our VT Energy Dashboard: Hover over ‘HEAT PUMPS’ or ‘HOT WATER’ on left hand menu bar, then click on ‘Total Number of Heat Pumps (Efficiency Vermont Approved)’, and along the top black menu bar, click ‘Progress Graph’.

 

Join VCCC for the next installment in the Electric Medium and Heavy-Duty Webinar Series. Part 1 on March 24th from 3:30-5:00pm will focus on a study in Vehicle-to-Grid Charging Technology and the Electric School Bus Use.

Learn how V2G technology can not only store energy in the electric bus battery but also discharge it back into the grid during an emergency. This is geared for: school districts, utilities, municipal & private sector fleets, general EV enthusiasts. Part 2 will then be then on March 31st from 3:30-5:00, with similar focuses. Register for either part here.

As part of the Wood Heater Design Challenge, this free virtual workshop on March 28th and 29th will focus on emission testing of wood stoves. Whether you have been extensively involved with stove testing or not, this workshop will keep you abreast of the latest instrumentation and techniques to assess a stove’s performance. The 2-day workshop will include short technical presentations followed by breakout sessions that discuss specific topics related to wood heater designs. You can register and learn more here.

This webinar is intended to articulate what the current policies in the CAP are expected to achieve in regards to emission reductions in the transportation sector, and the gap that needs to be filled to meet emission reductions requirements, particularly in 2025 and 2030. The Climate Council is tasked with adopting recommendations in this space this Fall and, in an effort to ensure Councilors and the public are informed and engaged, the transportation task group plans to offer a series of workshops in this space. This first one is intended to be a level-setting webinar to clearly articulate what the current CAP achieves and what the options are in this space to further reduce emissions. The webinar will seek to build on the recent Transportation memo which participants are encouraged to read before attending. Join them April 1st from 12:00-1:30pm – register here.

Learn about policy mechanisms for the Clean Transportation Standard (CTS), how this could support clean energy investments and jobs, and how this would help Vermont to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction requirements and other climate commitments. Speakers include Jared Duval (EAN, Climate Council), Cory-Ann Wind (Oregon Clean Fuels), Colin Murphy (Policy Institute for Energy, Environment, and Economy), Eileen Tutt (California Electric Transportation Coalition), and Carolyn Berninger (GPI). You can register here for the event on April 5 from 1:30-3pm.

The purpose of this application is to identify high-impact projects in Vermont that can reach completion with assistance from the federal government. If you have a project idea, whether it is about affordable housing, infrastructure, education, community engagement, agriculture, and so on, and you would like your project to be considered for federal funding, please fill out the appropriations request application here. These requests must be submitted via electronic application by 5:00 p.m., Friday, April 8, 2022. Find more information on Senator Sanders’ site here.

The next coalition meeting of the new EAN Climate Workforce Network Action Team will be April 11th at noon. Alternatively, join one of the three workgroups forming and meeting in the next week: Weatherization Workforce, Communication & Outreach, or Data & Analysis. Reach out to Cara (cara@eanvt.org) to be added to the email list for any of these.

Bringing together community leaders and groups working to celebrate and strengthen Vermont’s resilience, this is a conference for Vermonters seeking to engage with each other, their communities, and the state at large through meaningful and interdisciplinary discussions and problem-solving. It will be hosted at Norwich University on May 20th– register and learn more here.

 

Also, nominate a ‘Resilience Hero’, who has demonstrated resilience in their work and community. Self-nominations are welcome. Winners will be announced at the conference and earn monetary awards to continue building Vermont’s resilience. The nomination form is due May 1st.

All Vermont Climate Council meetings and subcommittee meetings are open to the public, with all details on the Climate Council website.