VECAN helps start and support town energy and climate action committees in their efforts to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance renewable energy projects.

Vermont’s network of town energy committees continues to grow, reflecting a powerful grassroots response to the pressing need to cut energy costs, foster renewable energy generation and lessen the state’s contribution to global warming. Last year there were 75 of these primarily volunteer groups across the state. Now there are 100.

Read more about the important projects these groups are undertaking - and the bold action they are helping to inspire - here.

SAVE THE DATE! - VECAN'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE DECEMBER 3

Mark your calendars for the Vermont Community Energy and Climate Action Conference which will be held on Saturday, December 3rd from 9:00 am- 4:00 pm at the Lake Morey Inn in Fairlee, Vermont.  Organized by VECAN and the UVM Extension Service, this daylong conference is for town energy committees, municipal officials, local and regional planners, and concerned citizens interested in reducing energy costs and tackling climate change.  This year’s conference will feature Commissioner Elizabeth Miller with the Vermont Department of Public Service Commissioner and Secretary Deborah Markowitz with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. Commissioner Miller will talk about the new State Energy Plan and what it means for communities, and Secretary Markowitz will discuss the work of the State’s Climate Cabinet.  The conference will also feature environmental activist, actor, and writer Kathryn Blume who will talk about how one individual can make a difference in affecting climate change.  The day will include 14 different workshops focused on promoting efficiency and renewable energy at the local level, along with a number of different roundtable discussions topics designed to promote dialogue.  For more information, contact: Jessie Schmidt, UVM Extension at 866-860-1382 extension 203 or by e-mail.

VECAN Energy Awards

VECAN was founded in 2005 to help Vermont communities form town energy committees and assist them in implementing energy-saving programs. Today VECAN networks with over 100 Town Energy Committees and 45 Town Energy Coordinators throughout the state. Now it is time to celebrate their accomplishments. At this year’s annual Vermont Community Energy and Climate Action Conference, Saturday, Dec. 3, Lake Morey Inn, Fairlee, VT, VECAN will present its first annual awards for excellence in community energy organizing. Awards in three categories will be presented: the VECAN Leadership Award, the VECAN Committee Award, and the VECAN Project Award.

You can nominate in all three categories. To find out more, click the title above to visit our award nomination page.

VNRC's New Energy Planning Guide and Case Study Publications Released

Want to help your community think systematically and boldly about how it can help residents and the municipality save energy, transition to renewables, promote transportation solutions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Check out this new tool that VNRC and the Vermont League of Cities and Towns recently released. And find out how they can help you undertake forward-looking energy planning in your community.

VECAN Grants Awarded! Find out more...

(Grantees, click here for a grant report form)

Vermont Idle Free Fleets Program Available to Communities

The American Lung Association in Vermont launched a pilot program Vermont Idle-Free Fleets (VIFF) last spring to encourage Chittenden and Rutland County businesses with fleets to adopt an idling reduction policy. Building on the success of the pilot, the ALA will offer the program statewide. The ALA invites town energy committees and other community groups working on local environmental and public health policy to apply for this FREE, turnkey program to help reduce toxic emissions from unnecessary vehicle idling. The goal of VIFF is to reduce emissions from diesel vehicles, but communities can expand to reduce gasoline vehicle emissions in addition to diesel emissions. Find out how your community can take advantage of this here.

Efficiency Vermont Offers Streetlighting Support to Communities

EVT has a program to help municipalities improve efficiency in street and public space lighting by re-evaluating their present use of older, less efficient lighting technologies for street and public spaces, eliminate unnecessary lighting, and replace remaining lighting with LED lighting systems. Find out how your community could get technical support from EVT by clicking here.

New Atlas Maps Vermont's Renewable Energy Opportunities

On Earth Day 2010, the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund released its eagerly anticipated renewable energy mapping tool - the Renewable Energy Atlas of Vermont. This GIS-based web application uses state-of-the-art technology to identify, analyze and visualize existing and promising locations for renewable energy. The Atlas is an accessible tool for any interested Vermonter seeking more information about potential resources out their back door. The VSJF specifically also targeted the tool to serve as a resource for Vermont's growing network of community energy committees.

Energy Committees Across Vermont

This website is designed to allow any energy committee in Vermont to host basic information about themselves and their work.  If your town has an energy committee and you don't see it listed here, please contact us and we can help you set up your own pages right on this site!

Click on the map to the right, and you'll be taken to an interactive map of Vermont pinpointing communities with energy and climate action committees.  From there you can explore their project initiatives.  Take a look at what others are doing, and get inspired!

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