Energy Planning
The Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP)
The Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) is an ongoing program funded by the State of Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services (BGS). MERP offers staff support, application and technical assistance, and funding to help communities across Vermont become more energy resilient.
The
program aims to help improve energy efficiency and curb greenhouse gas
emissions by promoting weatherization, thermal improvements, and fuel switching
in municipally owned buildings. “High Energy Burden” communities according to
the 2019 Energy Burden Report from Efficiency Vermont are
prioritized under the program. The following opportunities were made available to municipalities through MERP.
Free Building Energy Assessments
Municipalities applied for free BGS assessments of municipally owned buildings. Two levels of assessment were provided:
- Level 1 (walk-through assessment), or
- Level 2 (ASHRAE walk-through assessment with blower door test)
32 municipal buildings across Lamoille County were assessed under this program. Municipal libraries, offices, garages, fire departments, and other buildings were audited by consultants, with recommendations provided in reports to municipalities. Gihon Valley Hall (left) in North Hyde Park received a free energy assessment.
These reports opened up to opportunity to apply for MERP Implementation Grant funding. Other funding opportunities could be pursued using these reports such as the Vermont Bond Bank Energy Efficiency Program.
The following communities received MERP Assessments for municipally-owned buildings:
· Belvidere
· Cambridge Town
· Eden
· Elmore
· Hyde Park Town
· Hyde Park Village
· Johnson Town
· Johnson Village
· Morristown
· Waterville
· Wolcott
For a copy of the assessment reports in your community, please reach out to victoria@lcpcvt.org.
Implementation Grants
The state awarded nearly $36,000,000 in competitive grants for 126 municipalities to implement energy efficiency and resilience projects at municipal buildings across the state. Priority consideration was given to “High Energy Burden” communities. $1,005,174 in grants were awarded in Lamoille County, in Belvidere, Eden, Hyde Park, Johnson, Morristown, and Wolcott.
Projects need to be completed by the end of 2026.
Questions? Please contact Victoria at victoria@lcpcvt.org or (802) 851-6342.
Community Capacity Building Mini Grants
LCPC staff helped interested municipalities apply for “Community Capacity Building Mini Grants.”
· Hyde Park used awarded funds to mail flyers advertising low-cost window inserts available to weatherize buildings under a WindowDressers build - organized by the Hyde Park and Stowe Energy Committees.
· Stowe Energy Committee is planning workshops around Thermal Energy Networks with support from a consultant.
· Cambridge hired a consultant to perform an assessment and recommendations for accessibility improvements at the Municipal Office.
Say WATT? Electrification in Vermont
In 2023, the Public Service Department reviewed statewide policies and programs related to renewable electricity to determine what changes are necessary to achieve state energy and climate goals. They teamed up with Vermont’s Regional Planning Commissions to ensure local voices were heard as these critical energy policies were updated.
Throughout September 2023 there were a series of events throughout the state with opportunities to engage in conversations around these topics. Public input informed recommendations the Department will be making to Vermont’s policymakers in advance of the next legislative sessions.
Click here to view the final report summarizing events and what was discussed in our region.
Additional Resources
Where Does Vermont's Electricity Come From?
Renewable Electricity Policies and Programs in Vermont
Lamoille County Energy Incentives
The energy industry is ever evolving, and with that comes technology that residents can use to improve their everyday lives. The Lamoille County Planning Commission has developed resource pages to inform communities and local residents about cost saving energy incentives available through local utilities. The links above lead to a resource document that shows current electric vehicle, outdoor electric lawn care equipment, and home energy weatherization incentives.
Energy Planning Assistance to Municipalities
Since the enactment of the 2016 Energy Development Act (Act 174), the Lamoille County Planning Commission has provided energy planning assistance to Lamoille County municipalities. LCPC developed municipal data analyses and maps that can be used by the municipalities for their energy planning work pursuant to Act 174.
The information provided below contains data that estimates current energy use and provides targets for future energy use across all sectors (transportation, heating, and electricity). It also sets targets for renewable energy generation within the municipality and maps areas with renewable resource potential.
In the Fall of 2023, the Public Service Department released updated data to help with Act 174. LCPC works with municipalities through updates to municipal plan to provide municipal targets based on the most up-to-date data.
Read more about the Act 174 Guidance and Standards on the Public Service Department website.
LCPC Services