June 9th, 2026 VECAN E-News
With these lovely, lengthening June days, we hope you’ve been enjoying the onset of summer! With the Legislature’s recent wrap, we have quickly pivoted to getting out in communities and looking to engage with all of you. If there is an event or news in your community that you would like this newsletter to promote, and/or for VECAN to attend, please reach out!
The VECAN winter webinar series has wrapped, but we hope you will join the Vermont Natural Resources Council, Vermont Conservation Voters, VPIRG, and the Lake Champlain Committee for a legislative wrap up on the environmental community’s 2026 policy priorities, TOMORROW at noon! Register here, and read on for more info below in the newsletter.
IN THE NEWS
The Legislature passed scores of bills this year that will have potentially significant implications for residents, businesses and municipalities across the state. Vermont Public’s team of Statehouse reporters compiled a list of things the Legislature did, and did not do, in 2026. Read it here. And, make sure to check out Vermont Natural Resources Council’s 2026 legislative summary to see where key environmental issues landed.
Additionally, many Vermont legislators will not be seeking re-election this year. That means when the Legislature gavels in for its 2027 session, new faces will fill many of the roles dictating which bills receive attention and who gets to testify on them. Read this article to learn more.
In more legislative news, and deeply disappointingly, Governor Phil Scott vetoed a law that would have protected Vermonters from dirty, expensive, unchecked AI data center development. The law had overwhelming, tripartisan support but unfortunately the legislature was not able to override the veto after several legislators who’d voted to support the bill sustained the governor’s veto. Learn more from this VNRC press release, and, make sure to read what Representative Kathleen James, Chair of theHouse Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee had to say about Gov. Scott’s veto.
In related news, the South Burlington Planning Commission recently began discussing data centers. “This is fast moving, but we didn’t want to be caught on our heels,” the planning and zoning director told the commission, which has outlined some initial land use regulations related to the topic. Read more about how local communities are working to lead on this issue here.
In Vergennes, residents are pushing back against plans by the company Lightshift to build a Battery Energy Storage Site (BESS) on Panton Rd. But local officials and Lightshift representatives say the worries are unfounded. Listen to Vermont Public’s Vermont Edition from June 8th to learn more about the proposed project and stay tuned to more information from us about the important role battery storage is and will play in Vermont and the world’s energy future – as well as the importance of siting these projects well.
In some exciting Vermont news, a long-awaited housing development that could bring hundreds of new apartments to a series of empty lots in Burlington’s South End neighborhood is beginning to come together. Read more about this project - and the planned development's commitment to net zero and smart growth principles.
RESOURCES & INFO
Vermont Building Energy Workforce Development Program RFP
The Vermont Department of Public Service seeks proposals from qualified entities to develop and implement workforce development programs that expand and strengthen Vermont’s energy efficiency, weatherization, electrification, and clean energy workforce. Proposals are due June 15. Learn more.
Arthur Gibb Award for Sustainable Community Leadership
Established in 2006, the Arthur Gibb Award honors the legacy of the late Arthur “Art” Gibb, whose success as a public servant was directly attributable to his leadership, character, and personal convictions. Gibb served Vermont for decades as a legislator and advocate for balanced land use policy, committed to environmental stewardship and improving quality of life. Every year, in honor of his enduring legacy, VNRC recognizes an individual whose leadership has similarly brought about positive and lasting change toward more equitable, sustainable, and healthy communities.
The Sustainable Community Leadership Award is presented to a Vermont resident who has a demonstrated legacy of thoughtful leadership, civility, and commitment to advancing solutions that address the complex challenges facing Vermont and the shared goals of the people who call this unique place home. You can find the criteria and nomination form for the Art Gibb Award here. Nominations are due no later than Friday, July 3, 2026. The award will be presented at VNRC’s annual celebration this fall.
Local Leadership Award
New in 2026, the Local Leadership Award celebrates Vermonters who are making a meaningful difference in their communities as environmental and sustainability stewards. These are individuals who have demonstrated genuine commitment, and taken meaningful action in their careers or in their years of public service or volunteering. These are the community members who are building a notable track record and making a difference at the local level.
This award recognizes that great community leadership does not always announce itself through major achievements or decades of experience. Sometimes it appears in acts like organizing one’s neighbors to address a problem, bringing energy and creativity to a local board, or finding one’s voice around an important issue. The Local Leadership Award is for community members who are actively engaged in supporting sustainability, climate action, or natural resource protection through local community groups, advocacy, or public service, with a focus on town- or regional-level impact. You can find the criteria and nomination form for the Local Leadership Award here, due no later than Friday, July 3, 2026. The award will also be presented at VNRC’s annual celebration this fall.
EVENTS
2026 VNRC Legislative Wrap Up Webinar
Join VNRC, VCV and partners of the Environmental Common Agenda tomorrow, June 10th at 12pm on Zoom for a post legislative session debrief on how the environmental community’s policy priorities for 2026 fared.
This webinar will provide a legislative wrap up on the Vermont Environmental Community’s policy priorities for 2026. Hear from experts on priority bills related to healthy democracy policy, smart growth housing and conservation solutions, better transportation options, toxic-free communities, and affordable clean energy.
Register here to join us on Wednesday, June 10th at noon – and please spread the word!
Heat Pump Webinar: The experience of heat pump installers and customers in Vermont
Join this webinar on June 11th at 1pm on zoom to hear about the installer and customer experience of heat pump installation and use in Vermont from speakers:
- Nick Papaseraphim - Business Owner, Vermont Energy
- Shannon Bryant - Energy Navigator, Climate Economy Action Center
- Ken Jones - Senior Fellow, Energy Action Network
- Charlie Willner - Director of Energy Services, Evernorth
Addison County Energy Fair
This annual energy & eco fair will take place on Saturday, June 13th from 10-2pm on the Vergennes City Green. The event will feature local energy groups, clean-energy vendors, food, music and community activities. We hope to see you there!
Winooski Juneteenth
On Wednesday, June 17, 2026 from 5-8pm join the community of Winooski to celebrate Black joy, liberation, culture, and community! Juneteenth, short for the date June Nineteenth, commemorates the day the effects of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas, freeing the remaining hundreds of thousands of enslaved people. Winooski is excited to celebrate this important day with music, food, and fun!
2026 Rutland County Pride Festival
Celebrate Pride in Downtown Rutland on Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 10-5 for a full day of community, joy, creativity, and connection! Learn more here.
NEK Pride Fest 2026
Celebrate Pride in Newport at Gardner Park on Sunday, June 21 beginning with a parade at 12pm and followed by a festival with live music, speakers, vendors, and more! Learn more here.
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.
Save the Date! 2026 Community Leadership Summit
On October 6th, join hundreds of community builders from across the state for the Vermont Council on Rural Development’s annual Leadership Summit -- a full day of connection, learning, and inspiration for anyone working to strengthen their town.
Whether you're a longtime local leader or someone just beginning to get involved, you'll find space to learn, share, and gather ideas you can bring home to your community. All people who care about their community and the future of our state are encouraged to attend! Registration will open in mid-August. In the meantime, stay tuned to vtrural.org/summit and their e-newsletters for agenda and speaker announcements, info about the Castleton campus, and more!
Thank you for all you do!
