SESSION A:
Transportation Electrification - Buses, Bikes, Cars
Moving people from fossil fuel-powered combustion vehicles to more efficient, largely renewably powered electric vehicles is a powerful climate mitigation strategy, especially in a rural state like Vermont. The opportunities for individuals to go electric -- in part, bolstered by a new state incentive program -- are growing. And, while bumps in the road remain, there are exciting opportunities to electrify buses. Get the latest on the landscape for electric transportation in Vermont… and what obstacles still exist.
Geoff Martin, Hartford Energy Coordinator
Peggy O'Neill-Vivanco, Clean Cities Coalition
Dave Roberts, Drive Electric Vermont
Maximizing the Energy Transformation Opportunities in Vermont's Renewable Energy Standard
Vermont’s distribution utilities and energy efficiency utilities have been playing important roles in helping Vermonters reduce their energy use and carbon pollution. This work is happening through the “Transformation Tier” of the Renewable Energy Standard and through the ongoing energy efficiency programs offered statewide. Learn about current programs underway and how they are spurring creative, flexible, and collaborative energy innovation. Also, hear about what these important partners are considering so that they can accomplish even more money-saving, pollution-reducing results.
Rebecca Foster, Efficiency Vermont
Darren Springer, Burlington Electric Department
Emily Eckert, Green Mountain Power
Steve Wisbaum, Eco-Equiment Supply
Legislative Lowdown and Look Forward for 2020
The ongoing federal obstructionism on climate action -- paired with the increasing intensity of the climate crisis -- requires states and cities to step up, and step in, to tackle this pressing challenge. Learn about what Vermont policy makers have in mind to make meaningful progress in the 2020 legislative session, what it could take to succeed and how you can stay connected to Statehouse happenings to help make much-needed progress this year.
Selene Colburn, State Representative, Chittenden 6-4
Lauren Hierl, Vermont Conservation Voters
Andrew Perchlik, State Senator, Washington County
Zero Energy Now: A Whole-Home Energy Transformation
It took hundreds of years for us to get into the present global climate crisis. To comprehensively overhaul our fossil fuel powered society in 30 years – as climate science and our statewide 90% by 2050 comprehensive energy plan says we should – we have a tall order in front of us. Learn about the results to date of the “Zero Energy Now” initiative and the effort to push this successful program statewide. Find out how you – or your energy committee – might help expand this program to enable many more Vermonters to participate, home-by-home, helping take serious pollution-reducing steps to reach our state’s necessarily ambitious pollution-reducing targets.
Richard Faesy, Energy Futures Group
Chuck Reiss, Building Performance Professionals Association/Hinesburg Energy Committee
Li Ling Young, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Using Evidence and Data to Drive Rapid, Cost-Effective, and Equitable Emissions Reductions
The urgency of the climate crisis demands that we effectively utilize data and evidence to reduce emissions as quickly, cost-effectively, and equitably as possible. Join a discussion about what tools and data exist to assess the cost-effectiveness of different emissions reduction strategies and see where and how those best practices and technologies are being adopted across Vermont. Specifically, panelists will share information from the Vermont Energy Dashboard and the Public Service Department's new GHG cost-effectiveness assessment tool.
Jared Duval, Energy Action Network
Philip Picotte, Vermont Department of Public Service
Working Effectively with Municipalities: Tips and Tricks for Energy Committees
As local energy committees work to help their communities become more sustainable, forging positive working relationships with municipal officials can be a key to success. This workshop will share tips about forming positive relationships with municipal officials, and outline some success stories of how these relationships have been developed in communities around Vermont.
Lori Hirshfield, Town of Hartford
Kelly Lucci, Efficiency Vermont
Kate Stephenson, Montpelier Energy Advisory Committee
Building Climate Resilience: Tools, Tips and Fundamental Approaches
With the effects of climate change already being felt in Vermont and around the world, making our communities more resilient is critical. Learn about ongoing efforts to build resilience, how restoring soil health can be a key strategy, both within ecosystems and within communities. Plus, hear from leaders from the Hartford Resilience Team about how Community Resilience Organizations (CRO) about how they are building community and resilience.
Cat Buxton, Vermont Healthy Soils Program
Kye Cochran, Hartford Resilience Team
Simon Denis, Hartford Resilience Team
SESSION B:
Ramping Up Weatherization
Weatherization is critical to reducing carbon emissions and saving Vermonters money by reducing the amount of energy needed to heat and cool buildings. Increased weatherization incentives announced this summer by the state’s three Energy Efficiency Utilities – Efficiency Vermont, Vermont Gas, and Burlington Electric Department -- are helping to accelerate the number of weatherized home across the state, but more work is needed. Come learn firsthand how local energy leaders can support more weatherization in their communities. This panel will include presentations from those working on weatherization in Vermont including contractors, a program administrator, and a town energy committee.
Jim Bradly, Vermont Builders and Remodelers Association
Paul Fleckenstien, Contractor
Kelly Lucci, Efficiency Vermont
Kathie Voigt, Jericho Energy Task Force
Understanding and Alleviating Vermonters Energy Burden -- Projects and Approaches
What is energy burden? Dive into an updated report on how and where energy burden is felt by Vermonters, particularly low income Vermonters. Then, learn about innovative ways that energy committees and others are working to engage with low income neighbors to alleviate it -- and how programs are working to lower barriers to participation in the clean energy economy for renters and those with low incomes.
Rebecca Foster, Efficiency Vermont
Bob Walker, Thetford Energy Committee
Philip Cecchini, Capstone Community Action
Accelerating Vermont’s Renewable Energy Future
Accelerating the development and procurement of clean, renewable electricity to meet our heat, power and transportation needs is an incredibly important piece of doing our part to combat the climate crisis. In this workshop, get an update on what’s happening with net metering, what more is needed and learn about the 2020 push for a 100 percent renewable energy standard goal -- and what that means for you, your community and Vermont. And, find out how you can help support job- and resilience-creating in-state wind and solar renewable generation and the enactment of a strong 100 percent renewable requirement in 2020.
Olivia Campbell-Andersen, Renewable Energy Vermont
Ben Edgerly-Walsh, Vermont Public Interest Research Group
Aiko Schaefer, 100% Network
The Role of Vermont’s Forests in Climate Action -- Heating and Sequestering
Vermont’s forests will increasingly play an important role in our state’s clean energy future… as well as in our state’s climate crisis response. How can the state support a strong climate forest economy, helping heat Vermonters homes in an efficient, sustainable way through strategic, carbon-beneficial harvest practices? How -- and why -- can Vermont maintain large forest blocks to sequester carbon as a strong, essential climate pollution reduction strategy. Find out far more about the different, important roles Vermont’s forests plan in energy and climate -- and offer your thoughts on how to maintain an important balance of forest-based values and benefits.
Jamey Fidel, Vermont Natural Resources Council
Emma Hanson, Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation
Bill Keeton, University of Vermont
Adam Sherman, Biomass Energy Research Center
Capping Pollution and Investing in Equitable Solutions: The Transportation & Climate Initiative
To reduce carbon pollution in our most intensive sector -- transportation -- we need tools in our toolbox to require reductions and raise dollars to invest in clean, efficient, diverse mobility options. The Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) is a regional effort -- and an opportunity -- require pollution reduction results from the transportation sector and raise revenues to help more Vermonters -- in particular rural, low income earners -- make investments in cleaner, more affordable ways to get where they need to go. Learn about this promising effort, why it’s so important and how you can help shape a strong, equitable program.
Tim Ashe, Senate President Pro-Tempore
Johanna Miller, Vermont Natural Resources Council
Jordan Stutt, Acadia Center
Peter Walke, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
Beyond Cars: Success Stories and Strategies
Transportation is the largest source of carbon emissions and often the single largest household budget item. Gaps in mobility represent a serious challenge to communities. In this workshop, learn about innovative tools tailored to assist community volunteers to take action, housing friendly zoning to transportation planning. Plus, hear stories, strategies and resources to help guide you to positive results in reducing transportation-related carbon pollution in your community.
Van Chestnut, Advance Transit
Faith Ingulstrud, Agency of Commerce and Community Development
Deb Sachs, Net Zero Vermont
Leading By Example: Collaborating With Schools and Students To Move Energy Projects Forward
How can concerned citizens work effectively with local schools to help them prioritize and implement energy and climate opportunities? What are key tools and programs available to schools that are ready to take on projects? How can we effectively engage and support motivated students working to make change at their school and in the community? The panel will answer these questions and more with a mix of stories and technical advice.
Jon Copans, Vermont Council on Rural Development
Chris Granda, Richmond Climate Action Committee
Maeve MacLachlan, Student
Cara Robechek, Vermont Energy Education Program