Energy and Climate

The CCRPC is committed to working with our communities and regional partners toward the goal of getting to 90% renewable by 2050 and reduce total energy consumption by one third by 2050. We assist towns with drafting the energy element of their town plans. Addressing energy in the town plan involves an analysis of energy usage, identifying potential efficiency opportunities, which includes focusing on land use and transportation strategies, and identifying potential renewable energy resources. As a regional organization, we also regularly convene local energy committees to provide information and networking events. Additionally, we work collaboratively with Drive Electric Vermont to promote the widespread adoption of electric vehicles and electric vehicle infrastructure.

Chittenden County’s climate is changing. Climate change threatens human health and well-being in many ways, including through more extreme weather events and wildfire, decreased air quality, and diseases transmitted by insects, food, and water. The CCRPC works with member municipalities and regional partners on a variety of projects that help us to either mitigate climate change or adapt to it. Climate mitigation includes activities that reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions. Climate adaptation means taking actions to prevent the impact of hazards caused by climate change or to take advantage of the opportunities that may arise.

SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION ON:

ELECTRIC VEHICLES »
BUILDINGS »
ENERGY PLANNING »
CONTACT »

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• Federal Incentives for Electric Vehicles » | Learn about the new federal incentives for EVs.
• Webinar: Getting Started with Electric Vehicles » | State RPCs and Green Mountain Power hosted a webinar on 9/21/21 to offer an overview on electric vehicles and the rebates available to make switching to EV driving easier.
• Drive Electric Vermont » | Compare EV models, find incentives, and learn about charging and charging installation.
• Mow Electric Vermont » | Learn about the health and environmental benefits of electric lawn mowers both commercial and residential, compare electric lawn care equipment, and find incentives.
• Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment (EVSE) – Friendly Development Regulations for Municipalities » | Prepared by the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development.
• Electric Vehicle Fleet Case Studies » | This report, prepared by VEIC, provides an introduction to EVs and real-world results from their applications in Vermont.
• Vermont 2022 State NEVI Plan » | In the fall of 2021, VTrans sought to build upon the state’s early success by working with Drive Electric Vermont to develop a ten-year, statewide strategic EVSE deployment plan.
• Drive Electric Vermont Guide for Managing Light-duty EV Fleet Charging » | Managed charging is the practice of controlling the time and/or power level associated with recharging EV batteries. Managed charging can significantly reduce capital costs as well as ongoing operating costs of EV fleets.
• Fleet Electrification Study for CWD » | This 2022 report, prepared by VEIC, provides analysis and recommendations to Champlain Water District (CWD) on how to electrify their fleet of vehicles over eight years. This study may be useful to other municipalities looking to electrify their fleets.

BUILDINGS

• Learn about new Federal incentives: Energy Savings Hub | Department of Energy
• Clean Heating & Cooling Guide » | This consumers’ guide was developed by the Clean Energy States Alliance, a national nonprofit organization, to inform consumers about the benefits of clean heating and cooling technologies.
• Geothermal Heating Networks » | The Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN) recently hosted a webinar that goes over the basics and benefits of networked geothermal systems.
• Webinar: Battery Storage » | State RPCs and Green Mountain Power hosted a webinar on 2/8/22 to provide information on GMP’s battery storage programs and how they can help you stay powered up, while also reducing carbon emissions and lowering costs for all GMP customers. Click here to find GMP’s Bring Your Own Device program. Click here to find GMP’s Tesla Powerwall program. Click here to find VEC’s home battery program.
• Webinar: Heating & Cooling with Heat Pumps » | CCRPC hosted a webinar about heat pumps on 6/29/22. A heat pump provides high-efficiency heating or cooling. And, since heating is Vermont’s second highest source of carbon emissions behind driving, by switching to cleaner heating you will be making a big difference. This webinar reviews the different types of heat pumps available, their associated costs and benefits, and current rebates and incentives.
  • To learn more and find a contractor, click here for Efficiency Vermont’s information on Heat Pumps.
  • Green Mountain Power customers, click here for information on incentives and rebates or contact them at energyinnovationteam@greenmountainpower.com
  • Burlington customers, click here for information on incentives and rebates.
  • Vermont Electric Coop customers, click here for information on incentives and rebates.
• Webinar: Weatherization and the Windows Conundrum » | In this webinar held 2/24/2022, Efficiency Vermont discussed the reasons why it may be better to weatherize your home before you replace your windows, and other ways to mitigate commonly experienced issues around windows. Watch the video » | View the presentation »
• Weatherization Workforce Issues » | To meet Vermont’s weatherization goals, the State needs to address all the challenges affecting weatherization workforce. These challenges include shortages of skilled workers willing to work in uncomfortable conditions, wage competition with less-strenuous working conditions, fluctuations in funding/incentives for weatherization projects, and affordable housing. View Efficiency Vermont’s Weatherization Workforce Plan.

ENERGY PLANNING

• Climate Change and Land Use » | This guide is intended to provide municipalities with guidance on how to amend the land use regulations to limit low density sprawl, enable compact walkable neighborhoods, and protect the working and natural landscape to ensure climate change resilience.
• Energy Revolving Loan Fund Presentation » | This presentation provides municipalities with information on how to start an Energy Revolving Loan Fund to pay for energy and efficiency projects including heat pumps and electric vehicle charging stations.
• 2021 Efficiency Vermont Energy Data for Municipalities » | This report represents only the data Efficiency Vermont collects from Green Mountain Power and Vermont Electric Coop. This is not a comprehensive report of all the energy improvements conducted by VT Gas, Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, and other energy vendors. Also, Burlington Electric Department data is NOT included in the Chittenden County totals.
• Chittenden County Regional Energy Plan » | The CCRPC developed a focused Regional Energy Plan to advance the State’s Comprehensive Energy Plan’s climate and energy goals while also being consistent with municipal and regional land use plans.
• Energy Planning & Implementation Guidebook for Vermont Communities »

CONTACT

For more information or to be added to the energy distribution list, please contact Ann Janda, CCRPC Senior Energy Project Manager, at (802) 846-4490 x 133.