Greetings!
The Energy Action Network is excited to announce that we will be releasing our 2019 Annual Progress Report for Vermont on Wednesday, March 11th at 11:00 am in the Cedar Creek Room of the Vermont State House. We hope you will join us for the release. For the first time, this year’s report provides:
  • An expanded emissions analysis that compares Vermont to our regional neighbors;
  • A comprehensive economic impact analysis of the consumer savings and statewide economic benefits of our Path to Paris;
  • A series of case studies of effective policies from around the region and world – informed by the policy pitches at our 2019 Network Summit; and
  • Action profiles of EAN members who are leading the way here in Vermont.
In this month’s Total Energy News you will find a focus on the transportation sector, including an article about the impact of increasing SUV sales on global emissions, a Vermont student’s breakdown of EV affordability, and a new study from the VT Dept. of Health about the positive health impacts of meeting VT’s transportation energy goals. You’ll also find a new graphic from our 2019 APR on transportation fuel prices and a profile of our newest member organization, the Vermont Vehicle and Automotive Distributors Association. Finally, there are still two opportunities to attend public hearings on the Transportation and Climate Initiative. See more below.
We hope to see you on March 11th!
Best,
The EAN Team
Total Energy News – February 2020
Your Update on Vermont and National Energy News
Greetings!
The Energy Action Network is excited to announce that we will be releasing our 2019 Annual Progress Report for Vermont on Wednesday, March 11
th
at 11:00 am in the Cedar Creek Room of the Vermont State House. We hope you will join us for the release. For the first time, this year’s report provides:
  • An expanded emissions analysis that compares Vermont to our regional neighbors;
  • A comprehensive economic impact analysis of the consumer savings and statewide economic benefits of our Path to Paris;
  • A series of case studies of effective policies from around the region and world – informed by the policy pitches at our 2019 Network Summit; and
  • Action profiles of EAN members who are leading the way here in Vermont.
In this month’s Total Energy News you will find a focus on the transportation sector, including
an article about the impact of increasing SUV sales on global emissions
,
a Vermont student’s breakdown of EV affordability
,
and
a new study from the VT Dept. of Health about the positive health impacts of meeting VT’s transportation energy goals
. You’ll also find
a new graphic from our 2019 APR on transportation fuel prices
and a profile of our newest member organization, the Vermont Vehicle and Automotive Distributors Association. Finally, there are still two opportunities to
attend public hearings on the Transportation and Climate Initiative.
See more below.
We hope to see you on March 11
th
!
Best,
The EAN Team
News from the World
Soaring SUV sales threaten climate goals
SUVs drove record sales for carmakers leaving the industry on a collision course with efforts to tackle global warming despite big investments in electric vehicles.
Reuters
,
Read More
‘Electrify Everything’
Rural electric cooperatives are key players in beneficial electrification. The organizations serve customers in sparsely populated areas not covered by the major electric utilities.
MiBiz,
Lessons from historic preservation councils and solar panels
American politics is a thicket of local civic and political groups that may resist change when it comes to climate and energy policy.
Vox,
In our 2018 Annual Progress Report, we highlighted the price volatility of fossil fuel heating sources compared to renewable fuels. In our upcoming report, we’ve expanded this analysis to the transportation sector.
As the chart above illustrates, drivers of gasoline and diesel passenger vehicles are subject to wide price swings from month to month and year to year. Electric vehicle charging costs are lower and much more stable. If a driver can utilize one of the off-peak charging programs provided by some electric utilities, the gallon equivalent charge could decrease even further; for example, the Burlington Electric Department offers an EV rate that would cost just $0.63/gallon equivalent.
Join EAN for the release of our Annual Progress Report for Vermont!
On
Wednesday, March 11
th
at 11:00am in the Cedar Creek Room of the Vermont State House,
EAN will be holding a press conference announcing the release and key findings of our 2019 Annual Progress Report for Vermont. We hope network members, public partners, and others will join us to get the latest analysis on our progress toward our energy and emissions commitments, as well the impact of a total energy transformation on Vermont’s economy.
Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) Public Hearings:
Throughout January and February 2020, Vermont state officials and regional planning commission staff are hosting four public information meetings to discuss the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI). The meetings will feature a brief overview of TCI and provide detailed information about the specific proposals in the draft regional MOU and the associated modeling results. After the initial presentation, state officials will take questions and ask for feedback. Here’s more information about upcoming public meetings:
TCI Public Meeting
February 13, 2020 | 6:00 – 8:00pm
Selectboard Chambers (3
rd
 floor)
Town of Springfield Offices
96 Main Street
Springfield, VT
Contact: Tom Kennedy 
 
TCI Public Meeting
February 20, 2020 | 6:00 – 8:00pm
Contois Auditorium
Burlington City Hall
149 Church Street
Burlington, VT
Contact: Charlie Baker 
Climate Action Film Festival:
Hosted by SunCommon, the first annual
Climate Action Film Festival
is a celebration of short films with a focus on solutions to the climate crisis. It is the first festival of its kind to exclusively feature storytelling around solutions rather than simply the impacts of climate change. CAFF 2020 will be a touring, single-night event featuring approximately 90 minutes of short films. The festival will tour the Northeast U.S. in its inaugural year, with additional screenings to be added. Proceeds from screenings will be donated to local climate action groups. Upcoming screenings include:
Woodstock, NY
Upstate Films
Sunday, February 16, 2020
1:30 PM
Montpelier, VT
The Pavillion Auditorium, 109 State St
Thursday, February 27, 2020
6:00 PM
Member Profile
VT Vehicle and Automotive Distributors Assoc. (VADA)
EAN is happy to welcome our newest member organization, the Vermont Vehicle and Automotive Distributors Association (VADA). VADA is a trade association of new and used car and truck dealers, along with motorcycle and recreational vehicles. In addition to representing the interests of the automotive industry before legislators and regulators, VADA’s programs include health insurance, workers compensation, education, and consumer complaint resolution. 
Like all Energy Action Network members, VADA supports Vermont’s clean energy goals and recognizes that their membership can play a part in meeting these goals. They look forward to staying connected to energy and emissions conversations in the state and making sure they are ready to meet evolving consumer demand.
The Vermont Total Energy Ticker
Meeting transportation goals will improve health
A study from the VT Dept. of Health says meeting the state’s energy goals would also bring public health benefits, largely due to the emphasis placed on improving access for walkers and bikers.
Car shopping with VTs new EV incentives
UVM student Alex Binzen outlines how new state electric vehicle incentives, combined with fuel and maintenance savings, bring EVs into an affordable range for his family.
Critics questions Gov. Scott’s climate policies
Legislators and advocates argue that the Governor’s climate proposals don’t go far enough to address the issue. Featuring emissions analysis from EAN Executive Director Jared Duval.
Have an upcoming event or news story to share?
Let us know.