For Immediate Release
November 29, 2011
Contact:
Johanna Miller, Energy Program Director and VECAN Coordinator
Vermont Natural Resources Council/Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network
Phone: 802-223-2328 ext 112
Email: jmiller@vnrc.org • Web site: www.vnrc.org or www.vecan.net
Energy Opportunities, Urgency Focus of December 3 Conference
“Community Energy and Climate Action Conference” to Draw Hundreds
Montpelier — Many Vermonters and Vermont communities are wrestling with difficult questions regarding how they will meet their energy needs. The annual “Community Energy and Climate Action Conference” is designed to help them answer those questions. Organized by the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network and UVM Extension, the day offers a great blend of access to expertise and resources on promising energy programs as well as opportunity for deep dialogue on some of more difficult challenging issues.
The issues on the docket for dialogue are many, and this year’s conference is particularly timely.
With the winter heating season upon us and energy prices rising, what are some strategies to help people reduce their energy bills? With a new state ‘comprehensive energy plan’ coming down the pipe, what’s in it, what’s the plan for its implementation and why does it matter to Vermont communities? With painful schisms erupting around renewable energy proposals, how can Vermonters address people’s concerns, overcome obstacles and bring much-needed renewable generation online?
This day is intended to help answer these and many other important questions, in part from overviews of particularly relevant state efforts by Department of Public Service Commissioner Elizabeth Miller as well as Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Deb Markowitz.
The conference is geared largely to the growing network of town energy committees and has drawn more than 250 community energy organizers the past two years, but is open to anyone interested. The agenda includes:
14 workshops overviewing some of the most timely, promising opportunities for energy efficiency and renewables.
An overview of the state’s new Comprehensive Energy Plan by DPS Commissioner Elizabeth Miller and of the Vermont Climate Cabinet from ANR Secretary Deb Markowitz.
Roundtable discussions intended to facilitate a deeper dialogue on hot issues like the Smart Grid, wind, biomass and more.
A provocative keynote by Vermont actor, activist and ‘creative roustabout’ Kathryn Blume.
Leadership awards for a deserving energy committee member, energy committee and innovative project.
Unparalleled opportunity for networking and information sharing.
A delicious lunch.
“This conference is all about getting involved in shaping Vermont’s energy future,” said conference co-organizer Johanna Miller, Energy Program Director at the Vermont Natural Resources Council. “It’s truly a ‘can’t miss’ event for anyone interested in learning how to help friends and neighbors save energy dollars, transition to renewables and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
“There are many environmental conferences, but this one actually teaches you something, without fail, to take back home to your energy committee and community and really use,” said Paul Fixx of Hardwick’s energy committee.
The conference is held at the Lake Morey Inn, Fairlee, VT, this Saturday, Dec. 3 from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Find out all the details — including carpooling options — and register today at http://www.regonline.com/2011Energy. The registration is $30, which includes a full lunch and morning refreshments. For more information, contact: Jessie Schmidt, UVM Extension at: 866-860-1382 extension 203 or Email: jessica.a.schmidt@uvm.edu.
About the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network
The Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN) is a network of organizations (Community Climate Action, New England Grassroots Environment Fund, Sustainable Energy Resource Group, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation and Vermont Natural Resources Council) whose mission is to start, support and strengthen town energy committees and their work to help their communities reduce energy costs and climate impacts through conservation, increased energy efficiency and conversion to renewable generation.
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The single most effective measure the state should enact is a strict, ENFORCED, energy efficiency code for houses and other buildings that is similar to the 30 year-old Passivhaus standard. It will reduce household and business energy bills by 50 to 80 percent AND reduce CO2 at far less cost per Btu, or per kWh, than any of the renewables.
When money is scarce, the low-cost measures should be implemented before others.
http://theenergycollective.com/willem-post/46652/reducing-energy-use-houses
A much more economically-viable and environmentally-beneficial emphasis to reduce CO2 would be increased energy efficiency. It would reduce electric and fuel bills, reduce fossil consumption and pollution, and delay the depletion of fossil resources. The technologies to achieve a 60 to 80 percent reduction in energy consumption/$ of GDP exist and are fully developed.
It would be much wiser and more economical to shift subsidies away from expensive renewables that produce just a little of expensive, variable, intermittent energy, towards increased EE. Those renewables would not be needed, if we use those funds for increased EE.
EE has not scratched the surface and it is by far the best approach, because it provides the quickest and biggest “bang for the buck”, AND it is invisible, AND it does not make noise, AND it does not destroy pristine ridge lines/upset mountain water runoffs, AND it would more effectively reduce CO2, AND it would create 3 times the jobs per invested dollar than renewables, AND it would not subsidize tax-sheltering at the expense of rate payers, AND all the technologies are fully developed, AND it would do all this without public resistance and controversy.
http://theenergycollective.com/willem-post/61774/wind-energy-expensive
http://theenergycollective.com/willem-post/64492/wind-energy-reduces-co2-emissions-few-percent