Total Energy News October 2022
Your Update on Vermont and National Energy News
Greetings!
We are excited to be restarting our Network Speaker Series after a long pause due to COVID. Our new series will be a mix of webinars and in-person events.  
We will start with a webinar on October 24 at noon on Beneficial Electrification: New Research on Emissions Reduction and Cost Savings for Vermont. This webinar will present the findings of two recently published papers that shed light on the emissions reduction and economic effects, respectively, of beneficial electrification in Vermont. On emissions reduction, we will hear from EAN Sr. Fellow Leigh Seddon about the key findings of his recent paper for EAN titled, Assessing the GHG Impact of Beneficial Electrification in Vermont. On economic analysis, we will hear from Energy Futures Group’s David Hill about the key findings from the recent paper titled, Marginal Abatement Cost Curves: Examining the Mitigation Potential. You can register for the webinar here.
We also want to thank everyone who came to the EAN Summit on September 22, and to everyone who filled out the Summit evaluation and voted on pitches. By next week we will be able to share news about the winning pitches!
Gratefully,
Cara and Jared
News from the World
Washington to launch carbon cap-and-trade program in January
Washington’s program is modeled after California’s emissions trading program, but has centered environmental equity.
Utility Dive
The most influential calculation in US climate policy is off
A new study published in the journal Nature suggests that the US government’s social cost of carbon should be 3 times higher than it is.
Grist
Could you get home energy and EV incentives with IRA?
Rewiring America has released an online calculator to let people know which of the new incentives they are likely to qualify for.
Canary Media
Network Action Team Profile:
Replace Your Ride
A Replace Your Ride program for Vermont was first pitched at the October 2020 EAN Summit. The goal of the program was to help low-income Vermonters switch to clean transportation options affordably, while also accelerating the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. The program was designed to provide incentives to help lower-income Vermonters scrap their older, high-polluting vehicles and get up to $3,000 for cleaner transportation. 
The State of Vermont started offering incentives as part of the Replace your Ride program in September 2022, for new or used electric vehicles. The incentive can be stacked with any other incentives (state, utility, or federal) that the household is also eligible for, and can thus help bring the cost of an electric vehicle within reach for more households. Over time there is a plan to add a wider range of clean transportation and shared-mobility options as part of this program, so that eventually a household could scrap a vehicle and get incentives toward options like bikes, electric bikes, carsharing, or public transit.
EAN is not involved in managing this program, but you can learn more about the program on the Drive Electric Vermont website.
Data Download: Fossil fuel vehicles are more expensive to drive than EVs
In 2019 transportation accounted for 45% of Vermonters’ energy expenditures — a year when the average price of gasoline was $2.64/ gallon and diesel averaged $3.10/gallon. Drivers of gasoline and diesel vehicles are subject to wide price swings for their fuel, which has been especially clear this year. Electric vehicle charging costs are consistently lower on a gallon-equivalent basis and are also much more stable. 
Shifting from fossil fuel to electricity as our primary energy source for transportation can benefit both consumers and the Vermont economy. In 2020, Vermonters spent more than $700 million on fossil fuels for transportation — a number that could be more than twice as high in 2022, based on average fuel prices thus far this year. In 2020, only 28% of these funds recirculated in the state’s economy, with the rest immediately draining out of state. In contrast, for every dollar we spend on electricity, 70% recirculates in Vermont, supporting local lineworkers, tree trimmers, and clean power producers, among others.
Events and Opportunities
EAN Lunch and Learn: Beneficial Electrification: New Research on Emissions Reduction and Cost Savings for VT
Join EAN Sr. Fellow Leigh Seddon and Energy Futures Group’s David Hill to learn about two new papers that have recently been published looking at the emissions reduction and economic effects of beneficial electrification in Vermont.
Monday, October 24, noon-1pm 
EAN Network Action Teams
EAN Network Action Teams meet regularly. If you are interested in joining meetings of the Weatherization at Scale Coalition, the Climate Workforce Coalition, or other teams, or if you want to learn more about their work, contact Cara: cara@eanvt.org.
Weatherization for All! NEK Button Up Event
Join NVDA, Energy Committees and Energy Partners from across the NEK for this FREE, FUN & ENERGIZING event! Explore the Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village of Brownington and explore smart + affordable energy strategies for EVERYONE.
Saturday October 15, 10-noon in Brownington VT
VBSR Town Hall on the Inflation Reduction Act with the Vermont Delegation
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is one of the most significant pieces of legislation in U.S. history to tackle the climate crisis, strengthen American energy security, lower healthcare costs, and, as the name denotes, combat inflation. Join VBSR and staff from the offices of Senator Leahy, Senator Sanders, and Congressman Welch as we explore what the IRA means for climate action, healthcare reform, and economic development in Vermont.
Tuesday, October 18, noon-1pm
Climate x Change Webinar: Green Banks and the IRA: How states can leverage funding for climate action
Among the many pro-climate funding mechanisms in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is $20 billion for the creation of a national, nonprofit green bank, and $7 billion specifically for state, local, and tribal governments’ own clean power investments. 
Thursday, October 20 at 2pm
Climate Progress in Vermont: Where We Stand, Work to Do – Working Toward Cleaner Heat, Cleaner Electricity, Cleaner Transportation
Join #ActOnClimate Coalition members for a webinar outlining the latest analysis of where Vermont stands on making progress towards its climate commitments and the important work ahead to help Vermonters cut energy costs, reduce carbon, and achieve a more equitable, clean energy future. 
Wednesday, Oct 26, noon-1:30
Renewable Energy Vermont Conference
The 2022 REV Conference and Expo will take place in-person on Thursday, October 27th, and Friday, October 28th at the DoubleTree Hilton in South Burlington, Vermont. Join the REV conference to hear leaders and innovators in renewable energy discuss how to realize Vermont and New England’s clean energy future. 
October 27 and 28
Vermont Climate Council Meetings
All Vermont Climate Council meetings and subcommittee meetings are open to the public, with all details on the Climate Council website.
The Vermont Total Energy Ticker
Vermont isn’t on track to meet its climate commitments
EAN’s newest report shows that VT is falling behind – and unlikely to meet – its legally required 2030 emission reductions. VT could still get on track by adopting major new policies to cut emissions in transportation and heating.
Vermont Public
Vermont is weighing new rules to require manufacturers to supply more EVs to VT
Vermont is in the process of adopting new regulations that will push auto manufacturers to dramatically ramp up the number of electric vehicles they supply to dealerships in the state, including cars and big trucks.
Vermont Public
New ‘Replace Your Ride’ program provides Vermonters incentive to buy EVs
Replace Your Ride offers $3,000 to drivers who choose to surrender cars that are at least 10 years old and use fossil fuels. The old cars are scrapped, and drivers can put the money toward a new or used electric vehicle. 
VTDigger
Have an upcoming event or news story to share? Let us know.