Total Energy News – November 2020
Your Update on Vermont and National Energy News
Greetings!
The November elections and the implementation of the Global Warming Solutions Act represent a shifting landscape for climate and energy work, both nationally and here in Vermont.
 
In this month’s Total Energy News, we’re bringing you information and opportunities to help contextualize this change. This includes articles on what a new Biden administration might mean for energy and climate, as well as the make-up of the new Vermont Climate Council, to which many network members have been appointed, including EAN Executive Director Jared Duval.
 
You’ll also find links to register for upcoming events that will delve into the opportunities and challenges of the moment, including an EAN-hosted webinar conversation between BED General Manager Darren Springer with Chris Miller, former Senior Policy Advisor to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the next sessions of the REV Conference, and the 2020 VECAN Conference.
 
EAN staff are working hard on the next Annual Progress Report for Vermont, which we hope will provide key context for the work of the Climate Council and the development of the next Comprehensive Energy Plan in 2021. As part of this report, we are once again seeking Action Profiles to highlight the work of network members in the last year. Learn more and submit a profile here.
 
Lastly, as we shared with network members earlier this week, we are hiring for a new Network Manager as Carolyn Wesley prepares to move on to an important new position. You can find the job posting on our website. Applications are due November 30.
Best,
The EAN Team
News from the World



How Biden aims to fight climate change
President-elect Biden plans to embed action on climate change across federal government, from the departments of Agriculture to Treasury to State — expanding it beyond environmental agencies.
Washington Post,



Rural communities could benefit most from electric vehicles
A new analysis shows that shifting to a clean transportation system, including a bigger role for electric vehicles, has positive benefits across the Northeast—but the savings are biggest for rural drivers.
Union of Concerned Scientists,


QC climate plan bans gas-powered vehicles by 2035
The Quebec government is devoting $6.7 billion over the next five years to deal with climate change. The bulk of that money will go to subsidies for the purchase of electric vehicles.

CBC
Data Download – Emissions by Sector VT vs US
The conversation about shifting contexts in Vermont and the nation invites us to revisit this graphic from our 2019 Annual Progress Report for Vermont comparing the percentage of emissions by sector in Vermont and US as a whole. The task of doing our part to fight the climate crisis and transforming our total energy use to be more efficient and renewable looks different at each level. Nationally, the majority of emissions come from transportation and electricity generation, with thermal energy close behind. However, in Vermont, only 8.3% of our emissions came from electricity as of 2016, and that number is dropping precipitously as the Renewable Energy Standard is implemented. In some ways, the conversation in Vermont is a preview of where the national conversation will eventually need to focus, as we devote our attention to a policy and regulatory framework to transform how we get around (transportation) and how we heat and cool our homes and buildings (thermal).
EAN Federal Landscape Discussion with Chris Miller
  • Thursday, Dec 3, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Chris Miller, former Senior Policy Advisor to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the Senate Democratic Caucus on energy and environmental matters, joins EAN for a discussion about the federal energy and climate landscape as we transition to a new administration in the midst of a health and economic crisis. The webinar will feature a moderated discussion between Chris and BED General Manager Darren Springer, followed by Q&A from the audience.
REV Conference
  • December 2, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Moving Forward, featuring Secretary Kathleen Theoharides, Massachusetts Executive Office on Energy and Environment
  • December 9, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Equity, featuring Coreina Chan, Rocky Mountain Institute
For nearly two decades, the REV Conference has been the leading renewable energy event in northern New England. Organized by the nonprofit trade association, Renewable Energy Vermont, this annual forum brings together business leaders, system operators, architects, builders, manufacturers, engineers, scientists, policy makers, and regulators. REV2020: Power to Renew will take place virtually with sessions from October through December.
VECAN Conference
  • Saturday, December 5, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. State of the State: New Federal, State, and Local Opportunities for Climate Action
  • Monday, December 7, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Five Concurrent Workshops on Transportation, State Funding for Efficiency and Weatherization Work, Solar, Organizing in a Pandemic, and the New Policy and Accountability Landscape for Climate Action
  • Wednesday, December 9, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. co-hosted with REV2020 A Deep Dive on Energy Equity
  • Friday, December 11, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Keynote & Closing
The 13th Annual Vermont Community Energy and Climate Action Conference will be hosted virtually this year, starting December 5th and continuing throughout the week! This event centers and celebrates the critical role that Vermonters in every community play in moving our state to a more clean, efficient, affordable, and equitable energy future. This multi-day event will begin by framing up the current state of energy and climate action with a deep post-election analysis and an overview of big, timely, potentially transformative opportunities, including the recently enacted Vermont Global Warming Solutions Act.
Seeking Action Profiles for our 2020 Annual Progress Report!
For our 2020 Annual Progress Report, we will once again be featuring “Action Profiles” of the work of our member organizations. The goal of these brief profiles is to tell the story of a project, initiative, or partnership that is helping VT meet our energy and emissions reduction commitments. The ideal profile involves a partnership between multiple Network members, can be described clearly in 200 words or less, has an eye catching data point (e.g. # of homes weatherized, $ saved, electricity generated, people served, vehicle miles traveled reduced, etc. ), and has a beautiful, high-resolution photo to accompany it. Please use this form to submit an Action Profile by Thursday, December 3rd.
The Vermont Total Energy Ticker



Climate Council Set to Begin Work
This article provides an overview of membership and the work of the Vermont Climate Council ahead of its first meeting on Friday, November 20.



New Americans slow to participate in weatherization

For many new arrivals facing a long to-do list as they get acclimated to life in America, home weatherization may not be a top priority. Several organizations are working to change this.


Burlington considers requiring all-electric buildings
Burlington is considering a policy that would set an ambitious energy requirement for new buildings in the city: Either go all-electric, or pay a hefty carbon price. 

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