Each year, Vital Communities hosts events featuring stories from our region’s town energy committees and other volunteer groups working to promote clean energy and address climate change at the local level. Scroll through recent stories below for some local inspiration!
2022 Local Energy Showcase: Thursday, May 12, 7pm
This spring’s showcase featured five stories of local energy action, with a focus on collaboration, from across the Upper Valley, including Municipal Weatherization in Bradford NH, Joining Community Power Coalition of NH in Enfield NH, Amplified commitments to Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in Hanover, NH, and a successful 4-town, bi-state Residential Solar Campaign from the perspectives of Cornish, NH and Windsor, VT. Check out the +/-5 minute presentations below for a dose of inspiration!
2021 Local Energy Showcase: Tuesday, August 3, 7pm
This summer’s showcase featured five stories of local energy action from across our region, including Mow Electric Day and other projects from the new energy committee in Rochester, VT, an annual town-wide update and outreach to businesses in Hanover, NH, an Electric Vehicle Ambassadors program in Thetford, VT, audits on town buildings led by the new energy committee in Newbury, NH, and outreach to mobile home residents in Hartford and other Vermont towns. Check out the presentations below!
Energy Burden Mobile Home Outreach (2021)
Volunteers connected to local residents about Energy Burden and Energy Savings Programs, focusing on Mobile Home owners in Hartford, VT.
Mow Electric Demo Day and More (2021)
Volunteers organized a successful electric lawn maintenance event, as well as inter-town and business collaborations, out of Rochester, VT.
Sustainable Hanover Annual Forum (2021)
Sustainable Hanover has put on three annual sustainability forums, and Marjorie Rogalski shares the challenges and successes of organizing this event, in-person and virtual, for the last four years.
Newbury NH Energy Committee Work (2021)
Volunteers in Newbury NH have taken on a variety of projects including community education, a municipal solar array, and partnering with area businesses.
EV Ambassador Program (2021)
Volunteers in Thetford put together an Electric Vehicle Ambassador program, looking to connect to community members and provide information and support to those considering it for themselves. They’re now looking at doing the same with E-Bikes!
A townwide survey about climate change in Windsor (2020)
Volunteers in Windsor put together a two-page survey and printed copies for neighbors to fill out at town meeting. The survey asked what energy and climate activities residents were most interested in, for themselves and the town.
Upper Valley eBike Lending Library (2020)
After bringing a Burlington-based traveling eBike library to Norwich, a group of Upper Valley volunteers decided to start an eBike library of their own.
Multi-Town Energy Coordinator (2020)
In early 2020, Strafford, Thetford, Norwich, Sharon, Woodstock, and Barnard decided to form an inter-municipal agreement to contract with a Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) employee to support energy-related projects within those partner towns.
Window Dressers (2020)
Doc Bagley from the Strafford Energy Committee shares how volunteers from Thetford, Strafford, and surrounding towns worked with Window Dressers, a Maine-based nonprofit to build energy-saving window inserts for low income residents.
EV charging lessons from Bethel (2020)
Nicole Cyr from the Bethel Energy Committee shares lessons learned as her group thought about bringing electric vehicle charging to Bethel.
Sharon’s Energy Survey (2019)
In late 2017, the Sharon Energy Committee was awarded a New England Grassroots Economic Fund “Grow Grant” to promote awareness of municipal energy planning and solicit community engagement for Energy Committee priorities. They received responses from 41% of Sharon households.
Mascoma Valley Energy Expo (2019)
This event, hosted at Mascoma Valley High School, was entirely volunteer run in a collaboration among several surrounding energy committees. The event featured workshops on a variety of energy topics.
Randolph’s Participation in Climate Economy Model Communities (2019)
In March 2018, Randolph became the 3rd Climate Economy Model Community as part of a program from Vermont Council on Rural Development. Four task forces were created, with over 70 residents volunteering to be part of next steps.
Update from Lebanon (2019)
Lebanon Energy Advisory Committee Chair Clifton Below described several exciting energy projects underway in Lebanon, including projects related to methane gas at the landfill, outreach to local businesses, solar and energy efficiency projects, and more.
