October 2, 2026 VECAN E-News
Dear Local Energy Leaders,
Happy October! It’s shaping up to be a busy fall, and with Election Day just a month away on November 3rd, now’s the time to make sure you’re ready to vote. Early voting is already underway, so there’s no need to wait. Vermont offers same-day registration, so you can register and check your registration status anytime, including at the polls on Election Day itself. And if you’re curious where Vermonters stand on the issues and races shaping this election – including the governor’s race, data centers, and more – check out Vermont Public’s 2026 election poll.
As always, read on for the latest climate and clean energy news, resources, and events happening around Vermont this month.
In The News
In national news, a bipartisan Senate bill unveiled this week could reshape how America builds its power grid. The American Affordability and Jobs Act would streamline permitting for new transmission lines and make it easier for new power plants – including solar, wind, and battery projects – to connect to the grid.
According to an analysis commissioned by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions covering four major grid regions, these reforms could unlock nearly 100 gigawatts of new clean power and reduce the cost of delivering electricity by roughly $7 billion by 2035. Critically, the bill would also require data centers to pay the full cost of the transmission upgrades their massive energy demand requires, rather than passing those costs on to ratepayers.
But the bill would ease the path for fossil fuel infrastructure too. Some environmental groups are raising alarms that rolling back environmental review timelines to speed up the grid could also fast-track harmful gas buildout. Still, as demand for electricity explodes nationwide, others see faster permitting as the best shot clean energy has at actually getting built.
Meanwhile, recent federal changes related to vehicle fuel efficiency are likely to deal a huge blow to drivers' wallets and the climate alike, with an announcement last week gutting federal fuel economy standards, breaking with 50 years of policy aimed at making cars more efficient. The new rule drops the fleetwide fuel economy target for 2031 from a Biden-era 50.4 miles per gallon down to just 34.9 mpg, and advocates warn it will cost drivers money at the pump for years to come.
That's an especially rough blow for Vermont and many Vermonters who have to drive to get to work, school, essential services and more. As the Energy Action Network's newly released 2026 Annual Progress Report lays out, Vermonters already drive more miles per capita than residents of any other state in the Northeast, and transportation makes up a full 40% of the state's climate pollution, meaning weaker federal fuel economy standards will keep sending more of Vermonters' hard-earned money out of state and into the tanks of ever-thirstier vehicles.
In a bit of grim irony, global fossil fuel emissions are actually projected to fall slightly in 2026 – not because of climate policy, but because the ongoing Iran War has driven oil and gas prices so high that demand is dropping.
With demand for oil falling, clean energy can fill the gap. And, despite a retreat from clean energy at the national level, it keeps growing. The U.S. added a record amount of new clean power capacity in the first half of 2026, even as project cancellations and a surge in new gas development continue apace.
Financing is following the same trend. Low-carbon bank financing topped $1 trillion in 2025 and is nearly on par with fossil fuel financing for the first time. Banks still have a long way to go to meet the moment, though. By BNEF's own estimate, reaching net zero will require roughly $4 in clean energy financing for every $1 that goes to fossil fuels, a ratio banks are nowhere close to hitting yet.
Offshore wind projects are fighting back in court. New York and California are suing the Trump administration over deals that cancel offshore wind leases in exchange for payouts to developers. Vermont's Attorney General has joined the fight too, filing a second round of lawsuits alongside seven other states challenging the legality of these lease buybacks.
Lastly, a reminder that clean energy isn’t just a coastal or urban story. Actually, the reverse is true. According to a Rural Climate Partnership Analysis, 87% of U.S. clean energy generation comes from rural areas, even as more than 60% of the counties with restrictions on renewable energy projects are themselves rural.
Resources and Info
Only Two More Weeks to Apply for the Climate Catalysts Innovation Fund
The Vermont Council on Rural Development has opened applications for the sixth round of its Climate Catalysts Innovation Fund, supporting creative, community-driven projects that advance climate action and strengthen Vermont’s rural communities. VCRD launched the fund in 2021 to support creative and innovative climate/energy projects with a grant that would provide meaningful impact. Past grants have supported projects ranging from e-bike lending programs and solar backup power to community gardens and emergency preparedness efforts. Applications are due October 14th at 5 p.m. Learn more about the fund and apply here.
Efficiency Vermont Rebates
With cold weather on the doorstep, now is a great time to take a look at Efficiency Vermont’s rebates for home energy improvements. Incentives are available for everything from DIY weatherization to heating upgrades, including $100 back on eligible weatherization materials, ductless heat pump rebates starting at $375, ducted heat pump rebates starting at $1,200, and up to $1,000 for heat-pump water heaters. Check out the full list of rebates to see what savings may be available for your home.
Button Up Vermont Webinars Kicking Off Next Week
As part of the annual Button Up campaign, Efficiency Vermont is hosting three "Weatherization Wednesdays" webinars in October (all 12-1pm), which are free for anyone to join! If you want to learn more about weatherization, how to optimize your heat pump's efficiency and effectiveness, or inexpensive ways to reduce your energy use, join these upcoming webinars and spread the word with your community:
October 7: Home Weatherization Made Simple
October 14: How to Get the Most Out of Your Heat Pump
October 21: Small Fixes, Big Impact
You can view all events here: Button Up Vermont | Events. If you're planning to host an event, please complete this form so the Button Up team can help promote it and provide materials: Button Up Vermont - Partner Events.
You can also visit the Partner Materials and Downloads | Button Up Vermont to request pre-printed materials, download images to use on social media, and print flyers.
EAN's 2026 Annual Progress Report for Vermont
Energy Action Network has released their 2026 Annual Progress Report for Vermont, offering an in-depth analysis of where Vermont stands relative to its energy and climate commitments. As in previous years, the report provides a thorough picture of Vermont's energy usage, spending, and climate pollution across multiple sectors. This year's edition also digs into why Vermonters pay some of the highest household energy costs in the country, largely due to high-cost and price-volatile fossil fuels, and explores the benefits of electric end-use technologies, including increased efficiency, frequently lower annual and lifetime costs, more dollars recirculating in Vermont's economy, and decreased climate pollution.
This year, EAN also launched a new Annual Progress Report Graphics page, where readers can browse all the graphics from this year's report as well as past years', sortable by topic and year. Feel free to use EAN's graphics in your own work, including social media, news pieces, research reports, or presentations, with attribution to EAN.
Join Us! Energy Action Network and VECAN Webinar on 2026 Annual Progress Report
Join EAN staff and others on Tuesday, October 28th at 12:00pm for a webinar diving deeper into this year's Annual Progress Report. Hear more about the report's findings on Vermont's energy usage, spending, and climate pollution across multiple sectors, including why Vermonters pay some of the highest household energy costs in the country and the benefits of electric end-use technologies, and bring your questions.
How to Stick Up for Renewable Energy Projects Near You
Showing up at a local hearing to support a proposed wind, solar, or battery project might be one of the most effective climate actions you can take. Canary Media's guide on sticking up for renewable energy projects walks through how to keep an ear out for proposed projects, find or build a pro-renewables group, learn the basics of what's being proposed, and write a short speech for public meetings. As the guide notes, it often only takes a handful of supporters showing up to tip the scales for a project, while opponents, who tend to organize more loudly, can sink one by default if no one speaks up in response.
Pressing "Pause" on the Data Center Boom
If you're looking to go deeper on the data center debate, check out resources from River Network's recent State Policy Showcase. You'll find the full recording and presentation slides, plus a collection of related resources, including a community guide to challenging data centers and analyses of the water and energy demands these facilities place on local communities.
Events
Vermont Community Leadership Summit This Tuesday!
Join hundreds of community builders from across the state on October 6th at the Vermont State University Castleton Campus for the annual Vermont Community 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 just getting involved, you'll find space to learn, share, and gather ideas to bring home to your community.
Online registration has closed, but walk-ins are welcome. On site registration opens October 6th at 8am in the Fine Arts Building (Casella Theater), VTSU Castleton, 45 Alumni Drive, Castleton. Registration is $75, with $50 and $25 tiered options to keep the event accessible.Whether you’re a longtime local leader or newly getting involved, you’ll find space to learn, share, and gather ideas you can bring home to your community.
Carpooling: Offer or request rides at http://www.groupcarpool.com/t/xthni4.
Accommodations: Contact nick@vtrural.org or call/text 802-227-4057.
Save the Date: 2026 EAN Post-Election Gathering
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 1st, when Energy Action Network will host its 2026 Post-Election Gathering at the Capitol Plaza in Montpelier. With a clearer state and federal landscape post-election, this will be a chance to hear from state officials and legislative leaders about energy priorities heading into 2027, ask questions, and engage with other Network members on how to collaborate most effectively in the year ahead. Full agenda to come by early November.
Register here. Discounted pricing is available for those who attended September's EAN Annual Summit, and promo codes for reduced or free admission are available to Network members and public sector partners.
