Greetings!
How much has changed since we released our 2019 Annual Progress Report for Vermont just last Wednesday. Over the past week, EAN staff have been reflecting on how the COVID-19 pandemic reminds us of our interconnectedness, the wisdom of remembering we are all in this together, the need for systemic approaches to complex problems, and the capability of humans to make rapid behavioral change in the face of a crisis.
In these next few weeks and months, we recognize that most of us will need to prioritize caring for each other, our loved ones, and our communities. In this unprecedented time, many new questions are also emerging, including what impacts the new coronavirus may have on our work to achieve a post-fossil fuel energy future that is more just, thriving, and sustainable. Please see the News From the World section for articles that start to lean into some of these questions.
For businesses and organizations looking for information on how to respond to the new coronavirus, we have found this collection of resources compiled by VBSR to be particularly helpful.
We send all of you our best wishes and hope that you have the opportunity to more deeply explore the articles and information in this month’s Total Energy News during these days of social distancing. If you missed it, you can view video of the Annual Report press conference and read Jared’s remarks here.
Best,
The EAN Team
Total Energy News – March 2020

Your Update on Vermont and National Energy News

Greetings!
How much has changed since we released our
2019 Annual Progress Report for Vermont
 just last Wednesday. Over the past week, EAN staff have been reflecting on how the COVID-19 pandemic reminds us of our interconnectedness, the wisdom of remembering we are all in this together, the need for systemic approaches to complex problems, and the capability of humans to make rapid behavioral change in the face of a crisis.
In these next few weeks and months, we recognize that most of us will need to prioritize caring for each other, our loved ones, and our communities. In this unprecedented time, many new questions are also emerging, including what impacts the new coronavirus may have on our work to achieve a post-fossil fuel energy future that is more just, thriving, and sustainable. Please see the News From the World section for articles that start to lean into some of these questions.
For businesses and organizations looking for information on how to respond to the new coronavirus, we have found
this collection of resources
 compiled by VBSR to be particularly helpful.
We send all of you our best wishes and hope that you have the opportunity to more deeply explore the articles and information in this month’s Total Energy News during these days of social distancing. If you missed it,
you can view video of the Annual Report press conference and read Jared’s remarks here.
 
Best,
The EAN Team

News from the World


COVID-19 could cut emissions but have negative long-term climate impacts
While the race to ‘flatten the curve’ of Covid-19 cases is at the forefront of global consciousness, the pandemic threatens long-reaching consequences in fighting climate change.
Independent
,
Read More


Low-carbon investments can help economies recover
With the 
pandemic
  triggering a global economic slowdown, leaders are already looking for ways to shore up their countries’ economies. The approaches they take will have long-lasting effects.
WRI
,

Why we’re responding to COVID-19 so differently than climate change
A behavioral-scientist examines the threats posed by the virus and the climate crisis and the varying responses, as well as what lessons can be learned.

ScienceAlert,

The headline of the March 15th
VT Digger article
 covering the APR release reads: “Curbing emissions could save Vermonters $800 million.” Let’s look at the assumptions behind this figure, which was independently arrived at by the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) and is a conservative estimate of cumulative household savings to be had from the transportation and thermal measures in EAN’s Path to Paris model.
To derive this figure, ACCD assumed that
all
of the transportation and thermal measures identified in EAN’s Path to Paris would be achieved by 2025. This means, for example, that 90,000 Vermonters would opt for an EV instead of a gas vehicle when deciding to purchase or lease a new vehicle over the next six years. If this measure, along with the other six transportation and thermal measures were taken at scale, the cumulative savings for Vermont households between now and 2035 was estimated by ACCD to be nearly $800 million.

Join EAN today at 12:00 for a Webinar on our 2019 Annual Progress Report
T
he webinar will take place via Zoom from 12:00 – 1:00 today. It will include a 30 minute presentation on the key findings of the report, followed by 30 minutes of Q&A. Below is the link to join the webinar. If you don’t already have Zoom downloaded on your device, please be sure to log into the webinar a few minutes early and you will be guided through this process.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 682 056 307

Can’t make it today? We’re partnering with VECAN on another webinar March 30th!
When: 12pm, Monday March 30
Topic: 
We will provide an in-depth overview of the 2019 Annual Progress Report from the Energy Action Network. EAN executive director Jared Duval will walk us through the latest state-of-the-state when it comes to meeting our energy and climate commitments. You’ll also get an update from lead advocates on the current state of play with legislative policy initiatives on climate.
 

Member Profile

Bourne’s Energy and
Bio Diesel
See the announcement below from network member Bourne’s Energy:
Bourne’s Energy has been keeping Vermonters warm for over 70 years. Now with the effects of climate change upon us we are committed to helping Vermonters reduce their carbon footprint by offering a variety of renewable and carbon neutral energy products including; bulk and bagged wood pellets, Bio heating fuel and Bio diesels. 
Making renewable energy products accessible to all Vermonters is vital to our company’s mission, which is why beginning March 1
st
 2020, Bourne’s Energy will be offering B99 bio fuel for home and commercial delivery to our entire service area in Northern Vermont as a simple and inexpensive alternative for those who want to reduce fossil fuel use. B99 is 99.9% (less than 1% conventional diesel as required by the federal government) recycled vegetable cooking oil that has been refined to be a direct replacement for #2 heating oil and, On-road and Off-road diesels.
Go to 
https://bournesenergy.com/fuel/bioheating-fuel/
 to find out more about B99, BioHeat and BioDiesel delivery in your area.

The Vermont Total Energy Ticker


Curbing emissions could save Vermonters $800 million
The analysis came in Energy Action Network’s annual report tracking Vermont’s progress in meeting emissions reductions and renewable energy goals.


Regulators consider discounts for low-income ratepayers
The PUC’s formal inquiry comes in the midst of multiple utiliti
es seeking approval for rate increases and a wid
espread push for more EVs.


Walke Takes Over as Vermont’s Top Environmental Regulator
Seven Days profiles
Peter Walke, the new commissioner of the VT Department of Environmental Conservation.

Have an upcoming event or news story to share?
Let us know.