September 1, 2026 VECAN E-News
Happy September! Labor Day is around the corner, another school year is getting underway, and the first hints of fall colors are beginning to show on the mountains. Leaf season is a special time in Vermont, and a recent conversation with UVM researchers offers a good reminder of just how much fall’s beautiful colors – hillsides filled with famous reds, oranges, and yellows – are tied to Vermont’s climate, economy, forest health, and culture. To track peak foliage and find new ways to enjoy the autumn season, check out Vermont’s tourism website.
With winter not far off, September is an ideal time to start thinking about how our homes and communities can stay warm and energy efficient in the months ahead. And there’s plenty happening this month beyond the changing leaves and chilling nights to help get us started! We’re excited for the many fun climate and clean energy-focused events on the horizon, and we hope you’ll find a few (or all!) that catch your eye. Read on for those events, news, updates, and more ways to get involved!
IN THE NEWS
The U.S clean energy transition is in a complicated moment. President Donald Trump has spent his term eliminating tax credits for solar and wind, blocking renewable energy development, cancelling grants, and otherwise accelerating the climate crisis. This Canary Media article takes stock of the setbacks and progress and offers a look at where we stand today.
Rooftop solar installation – an industry that employed about 178,713 Americans in 2024 – is having an especially rough time as new tariffs on photovoltaic panels and the loss of federal tax credits put a dent in sales. Still, there are reasons for optimism. Solar is efficient, reliable, clean, affordable, and remains the fastest-growing source of electricity generation in the U.S. And investment is ongoing, with a record $25 billion invested in co-located solar-plus-storage in the first half of 2026.
As we head toward winter, heating costs are, once again, a big concern. Vermont remains deeply reliant on expensive, imported fossil heating fuels, leaving households vulnerable to price swings driven by events far beyond our borders. And, as VT Digger reported recently, people are scrambling to try to lock in lower-cost fuel contracts, as heating oil prices skyrocket, rising from under $3.50 per gallon last September to more than $5 per gallon by May. A new report by WCAX highlights that prices are now just shy of $5 per gallon. These price shocks have and will hit Vermont’s most vulnerable hardest. Lower-income households are particularly dependent on fuel oil, propane, and kerosene, a burden highlighted in Energy Action Network’s 2025 Annual Progress Report.
And it’s not just heating fuel that’s more expensive: gasoline is now averaging around $4.14 per gallon in Vermont, up over a dollar a gallon from this time last year. These price swings underscore the value of building a more affordable, stable, and locally-powered energy system for Vermont.
Vermont's winters are warming faster than any other season. Importantly, that means changes to snowfall. Scientists at UVM and across New England are launching a new network of snowpack sensors this winter to better understand how much snow is falling, how much water it holds, and how quickly it melts. This data will inform Vermont’s $1.6 billion ski industry, but its implications will reach beyond the slopes. Snowpack acts as a natural reservoir, helping supply water to rivers and ecosystems as it melts, and changes in snow and melt timing can contribute to drought, flooding, and other challenges.
Additionally, the super El Niño currently developing in the Pacific is likely to further complicate this winter’s weather patterns. New research strongly suggests that human-caused climate change is making El Niño events stronger. El Niño typically shifts weather patterns around the world, including across the U.S. In Vermont, it tends to tilt winters warmer than average, though its effects here are less predictable than in other parts of the country, especially with this year’s historically strong event.
As local, state, and national elections heat up, the rapid expansion of data centers is looking more-and-more like a defining political issue of the 2026 cycle. Canary Media highlights how opposition to data centers is flaring across the country, with candidates on both sides of the aisle who campaigned on reigning in data centers tending to win their races.
Affordability remains an overarching theme of this election too. And many voters are concerned about who will pay for the electricity that data centers require. Inside Climate News looked at proposals in Alabama that have extremely limited public disclosure could leave utility customers footing a data center’s bill.
And, in Maine, opposition is growing to a proposed underwater data center. Residents argue that the resulting “unmitigated risks of thermal pollution” would harm lobster habitat, fisheries, tourism, and other marine life, and the city council has unanimously backed a 180-day moratorium while the community considers how to respond.
RESOURCES AND INFO
Check Out EAN’s Summer Intern Reports on EV Charging and Weatherization
Since 2020, Energy Action Network’s Summer Internship Program has given college and graduate students the opportunity to take on research, writing, and social media projects connected to Vermont’s energy and climate work. Each intern develops a defined project related to EAN’s ongoing work toward a more just, thriving, and sustainable future for Vermonters. For those who missed EAN’s Summer Research Intern Lunch-and-Learn, the presentations are now available to watch and explore.
Check out this year’s research , including Riley McCallister’s research on Vermont’s Home Weatherization Assistance Fund and Audrey Leida’s work on affordable, equitable access to EV charging in Vermont, and explore the full collection of intern projects here.
Efficiency Vermont Rebates
With cold weather on the way, now is a good 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.
Applications Open 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. 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.
Healthy, Affordable Homes for All
The Building Electrification Institute (BEI) has released a new framework, Healthy Affordable Homes for All, exploring how housing and climate solutions can work together to make homes healthier, more affordable, resilient, and fossil-fuel free. The framework looks at ways communities can advance building electrification while also addressing housing affordability, energy burden, public health, and economic opportunity. It’s available as a slide-based or full report on their website.
EVENTS
South Burlington’s Green Community Festival
Join the South Burlington community for food trucks, live music, fun activities, raffle prizes, and more at the South Burlington Green Community Festival on Saturday, September 19th from 11am to 3pm at South Burlington City Hall. (Rain date is Sunday, September 20.) You can learn about energy efficiency, sustainability, and the environment from local nonprofits and businesses. There will be experts on hand to answer your questions about bike commuting, solar, heat pumps, energy upgrades, gardening, and more. There will be E-bike and other demos, plus lots of kids activities including, bounce house, Champ, and face painting! Free parking is available, including valet parking for bicycles. See you there!
Registration is Ongoing for Energy Action Network’s 2026 Annual Summit
Save the date for September 23rd, 2026 in Essex, Vermont. Join EAN members and partners from across Vermont at the Farmhouse at the Essex Resort 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 with other energy leaders from around the state.
The day will feature the latest research and insights on Vermont’s energy landscape, conversations with leaders working on innovative solutions, and opportunities to connect, collaborate, and share ideas with others working toward a cleaner, more affordable, and more resilient energy future. Learn more and register.
Registration is Ongoing for Efficiency Vermont’s 2026 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. You can register for the event here.
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.
Registration is Ongoing for VCRD’s 2026 Community Leadership Summit
On October 6th at the Vermont State University Castleton Campus, 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 is open, and you can find it here. Registration starts at $75, with $50 and $25 tiered options to keep the event accessible to all. If cost is a barrier, reach out to Margaret at info@vtrural.org to request a scholarship.
Plug-In Solar In Vermont: What Energy Leaders Need to Know
Are you interested in plug-in solar? We are! Join VECAN for a free webinar on September 22 from 12:00-1:00pm via Zoom to learn about the current state of plug-in solar in Vermont and what energy committees can be doing now to help prepare for this emerging technology.
We’ll hear from Ben Edgerly Walsh of VPIRG on Vermont’s new plug-in solar law, Stephan Scherer, CEO of CraftStrom, on the technology and how these systems work, and Stephen Dotson, Sustainability Coordinator for the Town of Brattleboro, on the community’s work to build interest and lay the groundwork for a local pilot program. With UL 3700-compliant systems not yet available in Vermont, these systems are not plug-and-play, but we hope they will be soon – and there are things you can do to ready for them. Check out this webinar to get the latest on what’s happening, what’s not, and what you or your community can do to prepare for these portable, small solar systems!
Register here and join us on September 22!
VECAN Regional Events are Coming This Fall!
In lieu of our traditional statewide VECAN Conference this year, we’re bringing the conversation to communities across Vermont through a series of regional events. We’re looking forward to reconnecting with local energy and climate leaders, sharing updates and resources, hearing what committees are working on, and exploring opportunities to collaborate.
First up is Bennington County on September 15th at 5:30pm at the Sunderland Town Hall! More regional gatherings are in the works, so please stay tuned!
Powering Up the EV Workforce - Training Opportunities for Technicians!
Through a collaboration with Vermont Clean Communities and Granite State Clean Cities, Advanced Vehicle Technology Group (AVTG) will be offering technician training on EVs for a deeply discounted price for technicians working on public fleets in VT and NH. These trainings are open to all interested technicians, whether working on public fleets or not.
Upcoming trainings include Electric Vehicle Essentials (online) for 3 Fridays, Sept 11, 18 and 25 from 11am-1:30pm as well as an in-person 3-day High Voltage Hands-On Bootcamp in Burlington October 21-23. Thanks to grant support from Vermont Clean Communities, public fleets in VT and NH can use the discount code EV2026 for the trainings (the online training will cost $25, and the in-person training will cost $300). Lunch is provided for the in-person training.
For more information, click on the links above. If you have questions, contact Peggy O'Neill-Vivanco at poneillv@vtcleancommunities.org.
