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.

Fourth Annual Conference an Overwhelming Success!

On December 3, 2011 nearly 250 Vermonters gathered at the 4th annual "Vermont Community Energy and Climate Action Conference." The pulse of the day was pure energy. DPS Commissioner Elizabeth Miller and ANR Secretary Deb Markowitz launched the day with critical context on Vermont's energy realities. A stellar keynote from Kathryn Blume, delivered with heart, earnestness, and the perfect dose of levity, added a powerful urgency to the conference, and set the stage for the important work ahead that faces Vermont's communities and energy committees.

DPS Commissioner Elizabeth Miller and ANR Secretary Deb Markowitz were asked more questions than time allowed them to answer on December 3. Thanks to them both for taking the time to answer Vermonters' other questions on energy and climate issues. Find Secretary Markowitz's answers here and Commissioner Miller's answers here.

 Find links to the presentations given in the 14 workshops here.

To watch Kathryn Blume's keynote, Commisioner Miller's and Markowitz's opening remarks, and Bernie Sanders' special appearnece click here.

Clean Energy Development Fund Projects – Reports Now Available

Since 2005 the CEDF has been granting and loaning funds for renewable energy projects (for both studies and installs). Each funding recipient has been required to write a final report. At long last all 100+ reports have been compiled and are now available to the public. The reports cover the full spectrum of energy production systems.  The projects and accompaning reports serve as valuable models and can provide useful context, information, and lessons learned for Vermonters who may be interested in similar projects.  Click here to view the projects and learn how you can request a copy of any report.

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

Are you looking for ways to help your community think systematically about how it can help residents and the municipality save energy, transition to renewables, promote transportation solutions, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Then check out the recently released Energy Planning & Implementation Guidebook For Vermont Communities, along with the case study booklet Communities Tackling Vermont's Energy Challanges, that VNRC and the Vermont League of Cities and Towns co-produced.  These new tools are designed to help you implement forward-looking and effective energy planning in your community today.

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. Additionally, The VSJF specifically targeted the tool to serve as a resource for Vermont's growing network of community energy committees.  Click here for more background on the Energy Atlas.  

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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