Trump’s all-out

war on energy efficiency

From targeting Energy Star to pausing more obscure rules, the Trump administration is derailing measures that help save money by reducing energy use.

Canary Media

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Despite backlash, more states are considering laws to make Big Oil pay for climate change

After VT and NY passed “Climate Superfund” legislation, 11 states have introduced similar bills this year.

Grist

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Has Maine learned to make heat pumps lower electricity costs for all?

Heat pump adoption in Maine has soared. A new energy-efficiency plan aims to accelerate the trend to cut emissions and control power prices.

Canary Media

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Data Download

A dollar spent on fuel for an average gasoline car will only propel the vehicle 7 miles, while the same amount of money spent on electricity for an electric vehicle (EV) will move the car 2-3 times farther. This is largely due to the fact that EVs are far more efficient at converting energy into propulsion than fossil fuel vehicles. Most of the energy used by internal combustion engines is wasted via heat and other engine losses, but the majority of the energy used in electric vehicles is delivered to the wheels. Because of this, each dollar spent on energy goes much farther in an EV, enabling significant cost savings for drivers.

This is one of the new graphs from the upcoming EAN 2025 Annual Progress Report for Vermont, which will be released this fall. Over the next few months, we will share sneak previews of some of our newest graphics in this monthly e-newsletter. 

Profile

VELCO Point of Interconnection Heat Map

Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO), Vermont’s statewide electric transmission operator, has launched a new Point of Interconnection (POI) Heat Map.  This interactive tool has been designed to support optimized siting of distributed generation resources across Vermont. VELCO describes this as a preliminary assessment tool enabling “users to explore various scenarios and filter data, providing a real-world view of interconnection potential.”

The VELCO POI Heat Map is publicly accessible at www.velco.com/heatmap.  

Events and Opportunities

EAN Public Forum with Senator Peter Welch

Energy Action Network (EAN) and the EAN Climate Workforce Coalition are hosting a public forum with special guest Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) to understand how Congressional policy and budget decisions may impact Vermont’s energy transformation and climate action initiatives, including Vermont’s climate workforce. Vermont climate and workforce partners will also describe how federal budget cuts could impact their programs and statewide progress toward Vermont’s climate commitments.

May 30, 2025 | 10:45 am – noon in Winooski

Register now (seats are limited)

2025 EAN Annual Network Summit | Save the Date

The EAN Annual Network Summit will be November 5, 2025 at Bolton Valley Resort. More details will follow.

Climate Action Office | Climate Action Measuring and Assessing Progress Tool

Vermont’s Climate Action Office is working on a tool that will measure and assess the State’s progress on climate action. Join this online meeting to learn more about the first stage of this work and next steps.

May 28, 2025 | 12:30-2:00 pm online

Learn more and register

Yale Program on Climate Change Communication | Understanding & Countering Climate Change Misinformation and Disinformation

This webinar will discuss how climate change disinformation spreads, groups that are susceptible, and how organizations and stakeholders can respond.

May 29, 2025 | 10-11 am

Learn more and register

Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund | Forest Business Accelerator

VSJF’s Forest Business Accelerator is seeking innovative start-up and seed stage ventures that are focused on commercializing new and improved products, services, and technology in the forest and wood products industry.

Read more and apply by June 7

EAN Network Action Teams

EAN Network Action Teams meet regularly. If you are interested in joining meetings of the Weatherization at Scale Coalition, the Climate Workforce Coalition, or other teams, or if you want to learn more about their work, contact Cara: cara@eanvt.org

Learn more

Gov. Phil Scott halts electric vehicle mandate for Vermont

Republican Gov. Phil Scott is hitting the brakes on a policy that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from a transportation sector that causes the lion’s share of carbon pollution in Vermont.

Vermont Public

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Trump’s lawsuit against Vermont’s climate superfund law

The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against Vermont and three other states for legislation that allows them to sue oil companies for damage caused by climate change over the last 30 years.

Vermont Public

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Solar for All distributes more than $22 million but remains under threat

While the state announced a grant for installing solar energy on affordable housing units, U.S. House Republicans worked to shred the funding that made the Vermont program possible.

VTDigger

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