July 24th, 2026 VECAN E-News
With summer in full swing, we hope you have a chance to step outside, soak up some sun, and make the most of all Vermont has to offer – it’s flying by!
We’re especially grateful that clear skies and clean air have returned to Vermont after a week of living through the haze of wildfire smoke. At the same time, our hearts are with our neighbors in Canada who continue to face the direct impacts of these fires. Check out CanadaHelps for up-to-date information and ways to support Canadian communities impacted by wildfires. And to continue to track air quality in your community, check out the EPA’s AirNow Map.
Also of note, July 10th marked the anniversary of Vermont’s own devastating 2023 and 2024 floods. As we reflect on the lasting impact of these devastating events, we continue to recognize the urgent need for immediate climate action and the continued dedication of Vermonters – like you all – working to advance clean energy solutions and climate-resilient communities.
Lastly, before we dive into the latest news, resources, and events, a huge thanks to Evelyn Seidner for all she has done to put together the latest news and resources for the VECAN network. Our goal is to ensure our twice-monthly newsletter is a valuable, trusted resource for this community. Evelyn will continue to do good work for VNRC and find ways to support the important work of community energy leaders like you. You can still reach her at eseidner@vnrc.org. Thank you, Evelyn!
Please continue to direct all VECAN communications, updates, and announcements to info@vecan.net or to me, Ford Young, at fyoung@vnrc.org. I’m excited to dig further into this work with all of you! And without further ado, below find what we hope is useful and interesting news, resources, events and more.
IN THE NEWS
On Tuesday, July 14th, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an Executive Order establishing a statewide one-year moratorium on the construction of ‘hyper-scale’ data centers (i.e. those requiring 50 megawatts or more of power). The concerns this action aimed to address – potential increased utility bills, depleted natural resources, and profound uncertainty from local residents – are not unique to New York. In fact, there is growing, robust and significant public pushback on data centers. If you missed it and have access, check out this recent poll on data center opposition by POLITICO as well as this story about a new HEATMAP poll that shows a rapid shift in public opinion just since last fall. And, in a recent New York Times opinion piece, authors David Wallace-Wells and Robinson Meyer discuss whether the gathering coalition of Americans against data centers could be the next Occupy Wall Street movement or Tea Party and cite a poll that shows 71% of Americans don’t want a data center built near their home.
As it becomes increasingly clear that unmitigated data center construction is a bonafide disaster in the making – e.g., some planned centers might admit more pollution than entire countries – other states, on both sides of the political aisle, are taking notice. Gov. Hochul’s moratorium follows Gov. Scott’s disappointing veto of Vermont’s own data center bill, H.727 which would’ve put in place proactive protections for Vermonters so that, if and when a large-scale data center came to town, it wouldn’t drain or pollute water supplies, potentially drive up rates or drown out Vermont’s climate progress.
This is a deeply disappointing and shortsighted move by Gov. Scott, all at a moment when public concern is growing and states that have data centers are exercising more caution. Texas and Virginia – the two states with the highest concentration of data centers – are finally looking at establishing limits and protections as well, albeit with limited success so far.
Barre recently hosted the Extreme Weather People’s Hearing, a public event organized to give voice to some of the many Vermonters impacted by the 2023 and 2024 extreme floods. It was an extremely hot and very emotional night of powerful testimony. Speakers – our own Vermont neighbors – described harrowing memories of escaping flooding homes, navigating a broken federal disaster response system, and the hurdles they continue to face as the threat of extreme weather, like that posed by the developing “super” El Niño, reshapes their lives and the future of their communities. As Senator Peter Welch, Congresswoman Becca Balint, and other elected leaders heard on July 8th, there remains an urgent need to help communities who continue to grapple with past-disaster devastation, as well as prepare for and mitigate future disasters. That means we have far more work to do!
On a brighter note, the town of Bridgewater recently completed a 58-kilowatt solar array on their Fire Department building. We already know that solar is the most affordable source of energy on the planet. Bridgewater is now capturing that cost-saving, clean energy at scale, with a new solar array producing enough power to serve the town’s fire station and community center.
In the words of expert and Vermont’s own Bill McKibben, modern solar is “cheap, available on the shelf in bulk, and ready to go.” In a recent conversation with New York Times reporter Ezra Klein – which you can listen to or read here – McKibben aptly outlines the energy abundance and wealth that solar, wind, and batteries offer – and that Bridgewater is now capturing.
And it’s only getting better and easier. Solar technology continues to advance rapidly, and new opportunities are popping up everywhere – like a new deal on balcony solar (for eligible states…not VT, unfortunately yet) or new manufacturers entering the market. We’ll continue to work with Vermont’s communities and policymakers to keep pace with innovation and support a resilient, affordable clean energy future, so stay tuned and stay engaged!
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are a crucial tool for building a cleaner, more reliable, and more affordable electric grid. By storing renewable energy when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing and releasing it when demand spikes, batteries make it possible to rely on clean energy all day, every day. To learn more about batteries in Vermont, check out this BESS project that the Burlington City unanimously approved.
RESOURCES & INFO
Vermont's primary elections are coming up fast!
It is an election year for Vermont! With the August 11th primary around the corner and mail-in voting already happening, be sure to go to the polls as an informed voter. There are many opportunities to learn more about the candidates running to represent you and your communities. Vermont Public recently hosted debates featuring the Democratic candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Watch the debates and learn more here. And to look up who’s on the ballot in your district, check out Vermont Public’s Candidate Guide.
Public Engagement Plan for the 2028 Vermont Comprehensive Energy Plan
The Department of Public Service recently announced its Public Engagement Plan for the 2028 Comprehensive Energy Plan. The following goals will drive the strategy for the CEP Public Engagement and how the Department will communicate with Vermonters:
Engage with a wide variety of Vermonters
Offer many opportunities to provide feedback
Incorporate past engagement while bringing in new voices
Be transparent in how feedback shared during engagement is (or is not) used in the CEP
Collaborate with community partners and across state agencies
For more information on engagement activities, visit 2028 Comprehensive Energy Plan | Department of Public Service, and read the 2028 Comprehensive Energy Plan Public Engagement Plan.
Vermont DEC Funding Opportunity
Don’t forget to look into the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s ~$5.9 million in grant funding available from Vermont’s allocation of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust for eligible vehicle and equipment electrification projects. Is this something that your town could use? Check it out and learn more! They are accepting applications on a rolling monthly basis for up to six months or until the funding has been exhausted, whichever comes first. Applications are due by the last calendar day of each month, beginning July 31, 2026.
Projects for this opportunity include Electric Replacements and Repowers of the following vehicles and equipment:
1992-2009 Engine Model Year Class 4-8 Local Freight Trucks
1992-2009 Engine Model Year Class 4-8 School, Shuttle, or Transit Buses
pre-Tier 4 Freight Switchers operating at least 1,000 hours/year
pre-Tier 3 Airport Ground Support Equipment
Forklifts with a Lift Capacity Greater than 8,000 lbs.
pre-Tier 3 Ferries or Tugboats
Is your project eligible? Try our Eligibility Determination Tool to find out!
Award funding will be provided as a reimbursement of eligible project costs (the electric vehicle/equipment and the purchase and installation of its associated charging station). Government entities are eligible to receive up to 85% reimbursement and private entities are eligible for up to 75% reimbursement.
Full program eligibility requirements are detailed in the Request-for-Applications document.
Questions about this opportunity? Email ANR.DECGrantsContracts@vermont.gov or call Eric Thomas at 802-636-7577. Answers to all questions will be posted to the bid site periodically.
Important Links:
More information about this opportunity can be found at https://dec.vermont.gov/air-quality/vw-environmental-mitigation-funds/vw-request-applications.
The Request-for-Applications document and all application forms are available for download from the Vermont Business Registry and Bid System here..
Commercial HVAC Pump Rebates
Efficiency Vermont is now offering rebates of up to $1,500 per unit for eligible high-efficiency HVAC pumps installed in commercial buildings. Replacing aging pumps with modern, energy-efficient models can reduce energy use, lower operating costs, and improve overall system performance.
Eligible pumps must be for HVAC end use, installed at a Vermont address, and meet Efficiency Vermont's efficiency requirements. Pumps between 1 and 20 horsepower qualify, with custom incentives available for larger projects.
For eligibility details and application information, visit Efficiency Vermont's Commercial HVAC Pump Rebates webpage.
EVENTS
Save the Date! Vermont Interfaith Power & Light's Building Hope for the Earth
Vermont Interfaith Power & Light invites you to Building Hope for the Earth, a community gathering focused on finding hope, resilience, and meaningful climate action together. Join faith leaders, sustainability advocates, and community members on Friday, September 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at St. Michael's Episcopal Church (16 Bradley Ave., Brattleboro, VT).
The event will feature a presentation on St. Michael's successful energy transformation with The Rev. Mary Lindquist and Cary Gaunt, Ph.D., a guided Forest Bathing experience led by The Rev. Dr. Nancy Wright, lunch and a facilitated conversation on climate grief, and an optional afternoon technical session and building tour highlighting St. Michael's Building Hope for the Earth project.
For more information and to register, visit Vermont Interfaith Power & Light's event webpage.
Save the Date! 2026 Efficiency Vermont’s Best Practices Exchange
Efficiency Vermont is pleased to announce that the 2026 Best Practices Exchange (BPX) will once again be held in-person on September 23rd & 24th at the Killington Grand Resort Hotel in Killington, Vermont.
At BPX, C&I facility managers, decision makers, experienced mechanical contractors, and relevant product manufacturers join Efficiency Vermont’s Account Management and Energy Consultant teams to share industry best practices, connect with peers, and explore new approaches to improving energy performance.
The 2026 event will feature keynote speaker Jed Davis, Vice President of Strategic Engagement & Sustainability at Agri-Mark/Cabot Creamery, along with sessions focused on energy leadership in manufacturing, campus-wide energy improvements, refrigeration strategies, cost management, and emerging technologies.
For more information and registration details, visit Efficiency Vermont’s BPX webpage.
Save the Date! 2026 Energy Action Network Annual Summit
Save the date for September 23, 2026 in Essex, Vermont to join other EAN members and partners to learn about the latest data and analysis on energy affordability and Vermont’s energy and climate commitments, hear from energy leaders from Vermont and beyond sharing new ideas, and connect and network with other energy leaders in the state. Learn more and register.
Thank you for all you do!
