Sustainable Energy Resource Group is working with town energy committees in the Upper Valley region of New Hampshire and in Vermont through the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN). For more information on how you can form a committee, check out VECAN's Town Energy and Climate Action Guide [pdf] or contact SERG - 802-785-4126, SERG@valley.net; or our other VECAN organizers, Alliance for Climate Action - 802-865-7330, dsachs@10percentchallenge.org ; or Vermont Natural Resources Council - 802-223-2328, jmiller@vnrc.org.

Town Energy and Climate Action Committee Updates - Fall, 2006

VERMONT

ADDISON COUNTY RELOCALIZATION NETWORK (ACoRN): Is supporting a small-scale hydroelectric proposal (1MW) in Middlebury and is also actively moving forward on the formation of a Renewable Energy Cooperative for Addison County. A small-scale biofuels cooperative may be the first phase of that larger cooperative initiative. Contact Greg Pahl, (802) 388-0134, gpahl@sover.net.

BENNINGTON: Began a monthly energy column for our local daily newspaper, "The Bennington Banner". Continuing to work with cable access channel producer on energy shows. Got Select Board to support SERG, Thetford, and Woodstock in their petition to PSB re: streetlights. Looking at and comparing energy usage of town owned facilities. Planning another public showing of The End of Suburbia. Our CFL campaign is winding down, having sold over 33,000 CFLs in Bennington. We also were involved in an Energy Star documentary which aired on the Documentary Channel. Here is a clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXxHOH2aIZQ. Contact Linda Putney: 802-442-8829, l.putney@comcast.net, website www.benningtonenergy.org

BRATTLEBORO CLIMATE PROTECTION: Won approval for a performance contract with Honeywell, Inc. to improve energy efficiency in 14 municipal and school buildings, with projected annual savings of $130,000 and reduction of 780 tons CO2 (20% reduction); launched a townwide no-idling campaign; planning a film/discussion" series - "Sustainable Choices" at Brooks Memorial Library. For more information, contact Paul Cameron at (802) 251-8135 or pcameron@brattleboro.org.

BURLINGTON: Founder of the 10% Challenge campaign<breve>is a multi-layered marketing program encouraging households, businesses, institutions and the City to take voluntary actions to save energy, reduce waste, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10 percent by 2010. The Alliance for Climate Action, the parent organization of the 10% Challenge is a group of state, regional and local governments and non-profits working together to encourage voluntary actions. Actions are encouraged in three sectors: energy efficiency, solid waste and transportation. Tools and resources are developed to help people and businesses take voluntary actions. Several initiatives are underway including: Mow Down Pollution, offering Vermonters cleaner mowing options; No-Idling campaign in schools and businesses; Way to Go Week, celebrating use of transportation alternatives; Beat the Heat, a 50-minute play with witty songs, dialogue, characters and costumes; service learning projects with area colleges and universities; and Vermont High Performance Schools<breve>a strategic planning process to make schools cost effective, healthy, energy efficient and sustainable. Contacts: Deb Sachs, 802-865-7330, dsachs@10percentchallenge.org .

CHARLOTTE: the Charlotte Energy Task Force is sponsored by the town's Conservation Commission and the Charlotte Sustainable Living Network. The small but dedicated group has sold over 1600 low cost energy efficient bulbs in 2006 through a Bulb Blitz which included sales at town events over the course of the year and ongoing bulb sales at the town offices. The group is currently working on ways to make Town buildings more energy efficient. The Town Hall, for example, has been plagued with temperamental thermostats and ventilation controls making life unpleasant for staff and visitors and costing taxpayers extra money in fuel costs. The school is undertaking a facilities assessment that will assess energy and comfort issues along with long term space planning. There are also plans to replace Town traffic lights with LEDs and the group is considering options to make commercial lighting and street lights Dark Skies compliant. Contact: Jennifer Chiodo, jennifer@cx-assoc.com

GREENSBORO: In the process of getting permitting to use the Greensboro Brook to generate 66 kW of electricity (Enough to power about 50 homes). The brook once powered a grist mill and a sawmill that served the community. The generating plant is modeled after a 55 kW plant designed by the same engineer that was installed in Wolcott, Vermont in 1985 and has been providing our local utility, the Hardwick Electrical Department, locally- renewably-generated electricity since. We are excited about realizing ways to generate jobs from making electricity from local water resources in ways that won't harm water quality and wildlife. Contact Anne Stevens: 802-533-2941, astevens@sover.net.

HARDWICK: Formed a new committee at end of summer. Working with Efficiency Vermont on challenge to reduce overall community electric use by 3% and get 35% of town residents and businesses participating in the programs. Considering educational campaign through schools, Chamber of Commerce, public media,, website, and tabling at Farmers' Market. Planning compact fluorescent bulb campaign, refrigerator challenge, audits of buildings. Contact: Pam Trieb, 888-921-5990 x1133, or ptrieb@veic.org.

HARTFORD: Reorganzing and recruiting new members. Anyone interested in participating may contact Bob Walker/SERG, 802-785-4126 or SERG@valley.net or Kye Cochran, 802-295-1482 or kye@uppervalleyfood.coop,

HINESBURG: Community-based energy workshop at the municipal offices, involvement of town staff and appointed officials, update of municipal plan with energy language, and interest in implementing the 10% Challenge program, particularly transportation projects including bio-diesel and Way to Go Week. Contact: John McConnell, 802-482-5295. john@narwhaldesign.com

LONDONDERRY: Getting organized and recruiting additional members; planning full energy audits to recommend efficiency improvements for town buildings; energy efficient light bulb sales in conjunction with film series on climate change; looking into the possibility of switching to biodiesel in town vehicles; researching the feasibility of micro hydro project on the West River. Contact: Phoebe Mills, 802.824.5380, phoebemills@yahoo.com.

MIDDLEBURY: Middlebury Global Warming Action Coalition <breve>Next month will be submitting our 10 year plan for substantially reducing town fossil fuel consumptiion to our selectboard and recommend hiring a part time coordinator to help citizens boards implement the various sections. Contact Rev. Paul Bortz, 802-388-724, pbortz@gmavt.net.

MONTPELIER: Montpelier Energy and Climate Action Committee formed in March 2005. More than 45 citizens signed up expressing interest in energy work. A light bulb promotion was launched in connection with March Town meeting and in collaboration with Efficiency Vermont and local hardware store. The group continues to meet and is collaborating with City officials to identify energy saving strategies. Contact: Cheryl King Fischer, 802-223-4622, fischer@grassrootsfund.org.

NORWICH: The wood chip boiler project for the Marion Cross School will be put to a town vote in November as with higher fuel costs it is projected to be cost effective. If it passes the town vote we will next see if it is feasible to supply heat to the Town Hall and two adjacent churches as part of the project. The school board has approved the use of biodiesel (20%) in the school buses as long as the cost is no greater than $.10 more per gallon. We have the use of a second tank at the town garage. The solar panel/ lighting upgrade for the school has been approved and speced out but is on hold as the Superintendent's Office is extremely busy with the Hanover High renovation project. We are starting to facilitate other local towns and school systems in implementing biodiesel. We are looking into the possibility of cleaning up the school bus fleet emissions with some add on devices which reduce soot. We are continuing to act as a resource to any interested party in the field of energy conservation or renewable energy. Contacts: Alan Berolzheimer, chair, 802-649-2857, bercress@sover.net or Ames Byrd, 802-649-1269, ames.byrd@valley.net.

PUTNEY: Working on several new projects: an online ride board; a free bike project; education in schools; implementing the 10% challenge for the town; solar energy fair and park. PEC is continuing the following projects: Distribution of welcome letters to new town residents and developers; Street light replacement; Expanding the web presence and forum content; Light Bulb sales (we distributed 100 bulbs for free at town meeting day); Micro Hydro on Sacketts Brook; Updating the Energy section in the Public library; and Enforcing a green development at Basketville, by BACLT and Housing Vermont. We also passed the 10% challenge and the micro hydro legislation at town meeting and are working on fulfilling the energy audit recommendations. Putney Selectboard has appointed Daniel Hoviss as Official Town Energy Coordinator. Check out the PEC website: http://pec.putney.net Contact: Daniel Hovis, 802 387 2521, daniel@putney.net.

RICHMOND: Conducted a green community technology assessment with assistance from Yellow Wood Associates. Implemented energy efficiency improvements in Town Hall and continues to look for ways to implement the 10% Challenge. Contacts: Ron Rodjenski at 434-5170 or Town Energy Coordinator, Jeff Forward at 434-3770 or forward@gmavt.net

RIPTON: Ripton Alternative Energy Initiative: Organized 2 educational workshops (90 attendees) on alternative energy opportunities. Promoted lighting upgrades of town office, community house and elementary school following energy audits by Efficiency Vermont. Funding for upgrades approved at town meeting. Initiative's transportation group negotiating with Addison County Transit Resources for 3-month trial bus service to Middlebury for commuters. Advocating local legislators to support simplified small hydro permitting. Pursuing discounted residential energy audits and follow-up contracting. Contact Warren King 388-4082, kinglet@together.net.

SHARON: Arranged a free energy audit for the Sharon Elementary School which took place in the summer .The school drew up a budget for improvements that were recommended and an energy audit for the remaining town buildings is in the works; cosponsored a poster contest with the elementary school for Green Up Day, the second place going to an energy efficient transportation poster; sponsored a town forum in June for The Sharon Academy seniors to present their proposal for energy in Vermont; developed a resource file on energy, available to the public in the Town Office; participated in Sharon's Old Home Day parade under the banner "Imagine a World Without Petroleum" with vegetable oil run cars, a battery run lawnmower, hand pumped flashlights, and farm animals followed by a methane producing cart. SERG, VEEP, Efficiency VT and Global Resource Options participated in an Energy Display following the parade; working on a list of books on energy for the town library. Plans for the Fall: energy education programs for the town, encouraging a Biodiesel pump at the local gas station. Contact: Nina Swaim, 802-763-2208, Nina.Swaim@valley.net.

STRAFFORD: Reorganzing and recruiting new members. Selectboard members are considering a wood boiler for the fown's future new garage and installing new energy efficient streetlights. Anyone interested in participating may contact Bob Walker, SERG, 802-785-4126, SERG@valley.net.

THETFORD:. Pursuing docket before the Vt. Public Service Board requesting town ownership of streetlights which will save the town money and allow Thetford to install photocell timers and more efficient streetlights which CVPS's tariff currently do not allow. Got Select Board to agree to use biodiesel in town vehicles and equipment. Preparing a letter for residents, detailing energy and conservation options and resources, Working with SERG to organize a Weatherization Workshop to take place this winter. Reviewing energy chapter for new town master plan. Discussing by-law provision with planning commission requiring compliance with state energy building code before occupancy can take place. Organizing energy resource section in the town library with books, DVD's, a watt meter and instructions, and possibly a traveling suitcase with various CFL's to try out at home. Contact: Bob Walker, 802-785-4126, bobwalker@valley.net.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

HANOVER: Organized a Cool Cities effort called Climate Protection Campaign, including Hanover citizens and representatives from the Upper Valley Group of the SIERRA CLUB, the Sustainable Energy Resource Group (SERG), the Vermont Earth Institute (VEI), and the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS); met with Hanover Town Manager and Dartmouth planning officials to discuss plans and possible projects; formed committees to work on no-idling, streetlighting, building efficiency, town energy inventory, media and outreach; hosted information tables at the Hanover Coop and ineighborhood walks distributing educational materials; organizing and energy friendly Halloween Party Sunday, October 22nd at Hanover!=s Black Community Center on South Park Street. It will run from 2:00 to 5:00. Contacts: Miriam Osofsky , 603-643-1664 or aaron.miriam.osofsky@valley.net and John Trummel, (603)643-6993 or trummel@Valley.net.

LYME: Put together a pamphlet on sustainable energy for the Zoning Administrator to distribute when building permits are issued; we are continuing our energy audits of town buildings; we have an LEC menber on the Town Offices search committee; we are putting together a sustainable energy display for the Sep. 30 flea market; investigating having Lyme be one of the NH towns that grant property tax rebates for solar/wind/wood energy use; investigating proper disposal of CFLs. Contact co-chairs Carola Lea at 603-795-4127, Carola.Lea@valley.net or Sue MacKenzie at 603-795-2462, suemackenzie@earthlink.net.

PLYMOUTH: The Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative is a non profit membership organization primarily working with families in the Plymouth, NH region to pursure their goals concerning saving energy and installing renewable energy systems. These goals are met through our Energy Exchange Member Meetings, Community Energy Raisers, Educational Events, Energy Assessement Planning Sessions and our Local Foods Plymouth Project - an online ordering and purchasing system connecting local farmers and buyers. Over the last 15 months we have orchestrated 15 renewable energy installations including 10 volunteer solar hot water energy raisers, 2 solar photovoltaic energy raisers and one windmill energy raiser - saving over 3000 gallons of oil a year. Contact Co-Directors: Sandra Jones, 603-536-1585, sandra@plymouthenergy.org and Peter Adams, 603-236-4946, peter@plymouthenergy.org.