NVDA Energy Update: FREE solar introductory course, $400 million in new funding for energy resilience, solar equity resources

October 2024

Regional planning &

Economic development

in the Northeast Kingdom

ENERGY UPDATE October 2024

As always, if you have news or events to share, please email them [email protected] – or a colleague who would like to register – please Register here. We publish monthly.

FREE Online Introduction to Solar Course

Only two spots left for NEK residents!

Thanks to a VCRD Climate Catalyst Scholarship NVDA can cover the cost of up to 20 NEK residents in this online training: “Introduction to Solar Installation and Design.” Please fill out the form to express your interest in enrolling and NVDA will contact you regarding next steps and payment. Questions? Please email Allie Webster, [email protected].

Introduction to Solar Installation and Design – Online Course (Entry Level ~ 46 Hours)

This course is aimed at beginners, so no experience with electrical or electronics is required. It is completely online and can be completed at students’ own pace if they have time. The course focuses on the skills and knowledge required to design and install small solar power systems. Learn more:

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Solar with equity resources for cities and states

Over the past three years, the Solar with Justice project, managed by the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA), has supported state energy agencies (SEAs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) to work together to advance the equitable development of solar energy for benefit underserved communities. The project has produced numerous reports, case studies and video interviews, all of which are available on a dedicated webpage on the CESA website. Check out their website and paper summarizing the project’s key recommendations for SEAs and CBOs interested in expanding solar energy in disadvantaged, low- and middle-income communities.

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Heat Pumps 101 – October 16th and 30th

Once you’ve weatherproofed your home, heat pumps are a great way to keep it warm in the winter (and cool in the summer). Efficiency Vermont Experts discuss the different types of heat pumps, the incentives available, and what homeowners should consider when upgrading to a heat pump. The webinar will take place twice on October 16th at 6 p.m. and on October 30th at 12 p.m. You can see everything Button-up events in the events calendar.

Home Repair Program – Oct 22

Effective October 1, Efficiency Vermont is rolling this out Weatherization Home Repair Program to help Vermonters complete weatherization projects where home repairs are an obstacle. This program offers up to $15,000 in the form of reimbursements for necessary home repairs. Learn more at the Home Repair Program information session on Tuesday, October 22, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Register for the webinar here!

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Get a new heat pump water heater for FREE!

An old water heater can add to your monthly energy bill. Now income-eligible households can switch to a new heat pump water heater and have up to 100 percent of the costs covered (up to $5,000). Don’t miss this opportunity and get big savings for your home.

Vermont Climate Action Plan (CAP) input session on buildings and heat

Oct. 24, 12:30 p.m. (online)

This virtual meeting will be hosted by the Vermont Climate Council Cross-Sector Mitigation Subcommittee on October 24 at 12:30 p.m. (There are three additional input sessions on the Climate Action Plan for Transportation and Rural Resilience, which can be found at www.climatechange.vermont.gov/calendar if you are interested. Four additional input sessions are planned soon to cover community issues and agriculture and forests/ecosystems.)

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VCRD Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund

Oct. 28 deadline

The Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund is now open for its fourth round of funding! VCRD is accepting applications until October 28 at 5 p.m. Grants range from $500 to a maximum of $4,000. Funds can be awarded to a community, school, nonprofit, city committee or business.

The Vermont Council on Rural Development, in collaboration with the Vermont Low Income Trust for Electricity (VLITE), the Vermont Community Foundation (VCF), and others, is inviting applications for small grants to support local innovators in developing solutions that will help Vermont bring energy goals closer to its climate.

The aim of the fund is to:

• Support innovative local climate and energy projects where a small grant could have a meaningful impact.
• Simple application process via a Google form.
• Pre-financing for projects (distribution by December 2024).
• Simple report when the project is completed (or after 12 months).

Learn more

2024 VT State & Local Government Municipal Day

November 1 – Montpelier, VT

The Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), in collaboration with Vermont Emergency Management (VEM), Natural Resources Board (NRB), Agency of Transportation (VTrans), and the Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets (AAFM), invites you to participate in a one-day event , which includes informational workshops, an opening session with Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist Grace Glynn and networking opportunities with colleagues from across Vermont. This year, the event will place a strong focus on biodiversity to help our cities and towns understand their role in a landscape facing more frequent and intense climate-related events such as floods, wildfires, and the presence of disease and invasive species is.

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$400 million in funding to reduce energy costs and improve energy resilience

New funding for rural and remote communities!

The Department of Energy’s OCED plans to fund 20 to 50 projects with a non-government cost share of at least 5 to 50% per project. Eligible applicants include tribes and tribal organizations, state and local government entities, nonprofit and for-profit entities, rural electric cooperatives, agricultural associations and cooperatives, labor unions, institutions of higher education, and incorporated and unincorporated consortia.

The funding announced today is part of the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program, which aims to fund community-led projects that demonstrate clean energy systems and deliver measurable and sustainable benefits to people living in areas with less than 10,000 residents and building clean energy knowledge, capacity and self-sufficiency across rural America. The funding opportunity provides support for rural and remote communities to build clean energy projects that deliver benefits to their communities – from cleaner, more resilient, more reliable and affordable local energy sources for rural and remote communities to local energy independence and tax revenues, economic development, local jobs and a lower environmental and health impact.

Learn more

EAN meeting after the election

December 3 – Capitol Plaza, Montpelier

EAN will also host a post-election rally on December 3rd in Montpelier. This will be an opportunity to hear from state leaders about their priorities and share new and emerging opportunities and challenges at the federal and state levels. Register before the early bird deadline on November 11th!

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VT Municipal Vulnerability Indicator (MVI) tool

A new online tool to help towns across Vermont understand their vulnerability to climate change is now available.

Discover the MVI tool. Send questions to NVDA.

Northeastern Vermont Development Association | PO Box 630 36 Eastern Ave. Suite 1 | St Johnsbury, VT 05819