10th Annual Upper Valley Energy Committee Roundtable – May 2017
Our favorite event of the year – a gathering of dozens of local energy volunteers from across the Upper Valley. The event in May 2017 was bustling with 80 attendees from 25 local energy groups, as well as numerous supporting organizations, sponsors, and elected leaders.

Watch Video
from the Roundtable
Courtesy of Bob the Green Guy
“Beyond Energy”
Presentations and Discussion
- Group Discussion (summary of ideas captured during our break-out session)
- Leigh Cameron’s Slides
- Sally Miller’s Slides
2017 Map
Our family of energy committees is growing!
2017 Updates
Summary of recent activity, including contact information
Resources Mentioned at the 2017 Roundtable
Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN)
Johanna Miller (jmiller@vnrc.org; 802.223.2328 x112)
- VECAN’s 2017 end of session legislative update on energy policy
- New net metering rules – stay tuned for a Guide to Net Metering – for now, read the new rules here.
- Check the Vermont energy committees map – is your info up to date?
- December 2, 2017 – VECAN’s annual conference in Fairlee
Ready for 100
Allyson Samuell (allyson.samuell@sierraclub.org)
- Visit the webpage to learn more about the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 Campaign
- Hanover became the first town in the Upper Valley to commit to 100% renewable energy on May 9th!
- The Sierra Club recently launched the Mayors for Clean Energy Campaign
Senior Solutions
Vicki Mastroianni (VMastroianni@seniorsolutionsvt.org; 800 642 5119)
- Council on Aging serving Windham and Windsor counties is looking for volunteers to conduct walk through energy efficiency assessments to help seniors save energy and money
- No previous experience necessary. Volunteers required to attend a three-hour training
Bethel University
Bethel University is a unique community pop-up university in Bethel, Vermont. During the month of March each year, anyone can teach courses on any topic under the sun. Take a class – meet new friends, learn new things, and discover all that Bethel has to offer.
Efficiency Vermont
Paul Markowitz (pmarkowitz@veic.org; 802.540.7608)
- Efficiency Vermont Speakers Bureau
- Municipal Streetlight Program and Guide
- Municipal Guide to Vermont Energy Code
- Above Code programs
- Packet of resources for builders
NH Local Energy Solutions Work Group
Brianna Brand, New Hampshire Sustainable Energy Association (brianna@nhsea.org; 603-226-4732)
- October 28 – Annual Conference in Concord
- Are you signed up for the monthly LES Newsletter?
- Monthly webinar series
- List of members – available for free advice anytime
Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission
Meghan Butts (mbutts@uvlsrpc.org)
- New Executive Director Steven Schneider
- Active in Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup (uvaw.uvlsrpc.org) – click here for info on recent forum on climate resiliency
- Continued work with Upper Valley transportation groups
Vermont Walk/Bike Summit 2018
Karl Kemnitzer (kkemvt@gmail.com)
- Vermont Walk/Bike Summit is coming to the Upper Valley in April 2018
- Stay tuned!
Upper Valley Electric Vehicle Expo 2017
Bob Walker (bobwalkervt@gmail.com)
- Seeking volunteers
- Seeking EV owners
- Hosted by Vital Communities, Sierra Club, and a group of local volunteers
Anti Pipeline
- For info on resistance to the proposal for a Lebanon/Hanover fracked gas pipeline: nopipelinehere.org
Thetford
- Moving forward with a community solar project – sought town support to qualify for “preferred site” net metering arrangement. Letter to Selectboard requesting support.
New England Grassroots Fund
Leigh Cameron (leigh@grassrootsfund.org; 603.905.9915)
- Seed Grant Program ($1,000): For emerging groups and pilot projects, apply at any time.
- Grow Grant Program ($3,500): For established groups and capacity building efforts, apply by September 15th or March 15th
- Harvest Grant Program ($5,000 – $7,500): For youth-led projects, submit an LOI by May 23rd
- RootSkills Training Series (workshops, webinars, and an annual conference): capacity building trainings for grassroots groups
NH Sustainable Energy Association
Brianna Brand (brianna@nhsea.org; 603-226-4732)
- Legislative Resources
- Current Legislation
- Legislative Updates Blog
Discussion Group for Energy Issues
Lyn Swett Miller (kaleidoscope65@gmail.com)
- Please join me for a year-long conversation addressing the personal aspects of change and building community resilience. Using writing prompts, photographs and short readings, we will meet once a month at a different person’s house to reflect on specific topics. I have spent three years developing seasonally-based reflections that invite a deeper look at transitioning to a post-carbon world and would like to pilot them with a flexible group of committed activists. If interested, please e-mail me – – we would start in July.
Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC)
Chris Damiani (cdamiani@trorc.org)
- General resources at trorc.org/programs/energy
- Act 174 work: Regional Energy Planning Resources
- Draft Energy Implementation Plan
- Links to DPS guidance
- Online map for energy planning in TRORC communities
Special thanks to this year’s Roundtable sponsors
New England Grassroots Environmental Funds
Lyme Green Heat, Inc.
Green Lantern Group
Peachtree Builders, Inc.
Building Energy
Integrity Energy
ReVision Energy
Catamount Solar
Vermont Foam Insulation
SunCommon
Energy Emporium
Solar Source
Montpelier Construction