Greetings!
We send our best to all our network members and partners as you work to navigate these unprecedented times. We want to give you an update on what EAN staff have been working on over the past few weeks.
Engaging Vermont’s federal delegation
Thanks to all who sent in ideas about possible federal action and investment in response to COVID-19 that could help lead to a “more just, thriving, and sustainable future.” In partnership with many network organizations, including the VT Natural Resources Council, we held two conversations with staff from Senator Leahy’s office, Senator Sander’s Office, and Representative Welch’s office in the past month. While Vermont’s delegation is focused on immediate response to the pandemic, their staff welcome ideas about how to include climate and energy efforts in a future economic recovery package.
Participants discussed lessons learned from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), as well as other past and present successful federal programs that could be built upon. The first conversation focused on energy efficiency, thermal energy, and electricity, and the second conversation focused on transportation. While the timeline for a federal recovery stimulus package remains uncertain, we will continue to connect Network members with federal partners to ensure that Vermont is leading the vision of a resilient, renewable recovery.
Planning for the future
Throughout March and April, a group of twenty Energy Action Network members came together to explore the question: in this pivotal moment for energy and climate action, how can we be the best, most effective network we can be in service of Vermont and our mission? Over the course of four remote meetings, the group discussed what has worked best about the Energy Action Network, both currently and in the past, and what opportunities exist to improve. We also learned about the history, culture, governance, and structure of other effective collaborative networks about the country, including the Cancer Free Economy Network, RE-AMP, and the Farm to Plate network here in Vermont.
To learn more about the findings of this group, and what it means for the next phase of our network,
read this brief summary.
Promoting our Annual Progress Report for Vermont
We continue to share the findings of our 2019 Annual Progress Report with members and partners. Executive Director Jared Duval has partnered with several Regional Planning Commissions to present and discuss the report with local energy committee members. He also recently discussed the report with the Vermont Chapter of the Sierra Club, which can be viewed here.
In support of changing education delivery, EAN staff member Pamela Hathaway, and EAN member Montpelier Mayor Anne Watson (who teaches at Montpelier High School) developed resources on how to share the Annual Progress Report with high school students. You can now find these resources on our website.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out for us if you interested in learning more about any of these efforts.
Stay healthy and safe,
The EAN Team
Total Energy News – May 2020
Your Update on Vermont and National Energy News
Greetings!
We send our best to all our network members and partners as you work to navigate these unprecedented times. We want to give you an update on what EAN staff have been working on over the past few weeks.
Engaging Vermont’s federal delegation
Thanks to all who sent in ideas about possible federal action and investment in response to COVID-19 that could help lead to a “more just, thriving, and sustainable future.” In partnership with many network organizations, including the VT Natural Resources Council, we held two conversations with staff from Senator Leahy’s office, Senator Sander’s Office, and Representative Welch’s office in the past month. While Vermont’s delegation is focused on immediate response to the pandemic, their staff welcome ideas about how to include climate and energy efforts in a future economic recovery package.
Participants discussed lessons learned from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), as well as other past and present successful federal programs that could be built upon. The first conversation focused on energy efficiency, thermal energy, and electricity, and the second conversation focused on transportation. While the timeline for a federal recovery stimulus package remains uncertain, we will continue to connect Network members with federal partners to ensure that Vermont is leading the vision of a resilient, renewable recovery.
Planning for the future
Throughout March and April, a group of twenty Energy Action Network members came together to explore the question: in this pivotal moment for energy and climate action, how can we be the best, most effective network we can be in service of Vermont and our mission? Over the course of four remote meetings, the group discussed what has worked best about the Energy Action Network, both currently and in the past, and what opportunities exist to improve. We also learned about the history, culture, governance, and structure of other effective collaborative networks about the country, including the Cancer Free Economy Network, RE-AMP, and the Farm to Plate network here in Vermont.
To learn more about the findings of this group, and what it means for the next phase of our network,
read this brief summary
.
Promoting our Annual Progress Report for Vermont
We continue to share the findings of our
2019 Annual Progress Report
with members and partners. Executive Director Jared Duval has partnered with several Regional Planning Commissions to present and discuss the report with local energy committee members. He also recently discussed the report with the Vermont Chapter of the Sierra Club,
which can be viewed here
.
In support of changing education delivery, EAN staff member Pamela Hathaway, and EAN member Montpelier Mayor Anne Watson (who teaches at Montpelier High School) developed resources on how to share the Annual Progress Report with high school students.
You can now find these resources on our website.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out for us if you interested in learning more about any of these efforts.
Stay healthy and safe,
The EAN Team
News from the World
Green recovery can revive virus-hit economies and tackle climate change
A new study shows massive green public investment would be the most cost-effective way both to revive economies and strike a decisive blow against climate change.
Reuters
,
Read More
Emissions declines will set records this year. But it’s not good news.
New estimates that the Covid-19 crisis likely to lead to “unprecedented” 8% percent drop should not be seen as good news for efforts to tackle climate change.
NY Times
,
Coronavirus stimulus money will be wasted on fossil fuels
David Roberts of Vox argues that oil and gas companies were already facing structural problems before Covid-19 and are in long-term decline.
Vox,
At the end of February, Vermont’s unemployment rate registered 2.4 percent – among the lowest in the nation. Now, with both Vermont and the nation headed for double-digit unemployment, the question of how to create durable, well-paying jobs will be as important as ever.
 
In this context, it is worth highlighting the importance of Vermont’s clean energy employment. As of 2019, Vermont had the
highest share of clean energy jobs in the nation
, at 6% of our workforce. Clean energy employment totaled just under 19,000 jobs in 2019, an increase of over 4,000 jobs since 2013. Additionally, the median wage for clean energy jobs in VT was over $7 an hour higher than the statewide median wage for all jobs ($26.71 vs. $19.10).
 
As Vermont begins to chart an economic recovery, we must sustain these vital jobs in the clean energy sector. We should also advance the win-win-win opportunity that a large-scale clean energy transformation provides: making Vermont’s economy more resilient by keeping energy dollars local and saving Vermonters money; creating more family-supporting, living-wage jobs; and reducing pollution.
We are inspired by the work that many of our members are doing to step up to the plate during this crisis. Last month we highlighted the incredible work of Capstone Community Action. Below are links to a few more stories of Network members doing important and inspiring work. If there’s anything we’ve missed, please
email Network Manager Carolyn Wesley
so we can help celebrate you all!
Efficiency VT
has launched
a new curbside recycling program
for inefficient appliances t
o help get cash in Vermonter’s pockets.
Vermont Energy Education Program (VEEP)
has developed
a virtual curriculum
to make sure energy remains front and center for VT students.
The City of Burlington
and
Burlington Electric Department
doubled down on their commitment to the climate and economy through a
Green Stimulus package
.
The Vermont Total Energy Ticker
Many VTers interested in telecommuting after Covid-19 crisis
Some Vermonters may try to continue telecommuting even after their offices open up again, according to a new UVM survey.
Environmentalists split on wood heat in Vermont
A nuanced take on this complex issue from the Energy News Network, featuring EAN’s 2019 Annual Progress Report.
VT scholar focuses research on equity, energy
Carolyn Finney is a scholar in residence at Middlebury College working to make racial equity and justice a focus in clean energy and environmental discussions.
Have an upcoming event or news story to share?
Let us know.