Energy Committee - East Montpelier, VT | East Montpelier, VT - The official website for the Town of East Montpelier, Vermont

Energy Committee

The Selectboard created the Energy Committee in 2008 to help guide the community in areas of energy use and conservation. In particular, the Committee’s directive is to work toward the fulfillment of the energy goals & actions laid out in the Town Plan. After a short period of dormancy, on December 5, 2016 the Selectboard appointed a Committee to revitalize the committee with an initial charge to lead the town’s Act 174 energy planning effort. The Committee, with the assistance of CVRPC, has produced an initial draft of a town energy plan (see below) and worked with the Planning Commission to craft the energy elements of the 2018 Town Plan. The Energy Committee wasn’t active since 2017 but was reformed in 2023.

The Energy Committee’s Current Charge is to:
1. Advise the Selectboard, other town boards and committees, and town officials on energy-related matters that affect town operations and/or policy;
2. Ensure that the Town Plan qualifies as an Enhanced Energy Plan under Act 174, so that the town receives “substantial deference” in renewable energy siting decisions by the Vermont Public Utility Commission;
3. Propose updates to the Town Plan as needed to advance town and state clean energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals;
4. Develop and implement community outreach and education projects that support the Town Plan’s energy goals and actions, including connecting town residents and businesses with resources for incentives and technical assistance;
5. Support equitable and inclusive access to clean energy and energy efficiency for all town residents, to reduce the town’s environmental impact while advancing affordability and well-being; and
6. Collaborate with the Selectboard and the Emergency Preparedness Committee to improve the town’s energy resilience.

Draft EM Energy Plan

The PACE Program
The Town of East Montpelier is a participant in the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. This program, formerly administered by Efficiency Vermont, was designed to provide attractive financing options for residents interested in making their homes more energy efficient. At this point the program is inactive and we are unsure of the program’s future.

East Montpelier PACE Program Documents:
EM PACE Program Guidelines
EM PACE Resolution

Energy Committee Agendas

Energy Committee Minutes:

The Energy Committee:
Andy Shapiro
Ben McCall
Austin Cate
Emily Levin
Stephen Miracle
Daniel Costin

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