Efficiency Vermont and community partners devote full day of outreach in Randolph and Bennington
Burlington, VT
Community visit days part of six-month focus on increasing energy efficiency in communities
Seeking to develop relationships and form partnerships to promote energy efficiency and clean energy in both the greater Randolph Area and Bennington, Efficiency Vermont Director Liz Gamache ushered in April with full-day visits in each community to meet business leaders, elected officials, customers, and area residents.
“The idea is to put ‘feet on the ground’ in participating communities so we can build working relationships and find the intersections between community vitality and sustainable energy,” said Gamache. “We are trying to become a more integral part of the communities we serve, so that we can match our programs and services to the needs of the community.”
Local organizations in both communities are partnering with Efficiency Vermont to help raise local awareness of Efficiency Vermont programs and services, and identify how Efficiency Vermont can help communities achieve their energy goals.
“The availability and affordability of energy is a vital part of a community’s economic vitality from the role it plays in the comfort and affordability of housing to the operating costs of local businesses,” said Julie Iffland, Randolph Area Community Development Corporation Executive Director, who is leading the effort in Randolph. “There are so many opportunities to save money and improve quality of life through energy efficiency – we are very excited to be working to help raise awareness of what Efficiency Vermont has to offer our community.”
Gamache and Iffland spent last Friday meeting with multiple stakeholder groups throughout the day, including business leaders, manufacturing facilities, municipal leaders, VTC students, and facilities staff at Gifford Medical Center.
Today, Gamache is touring the Bennington community with partner organization Better Bennington Corporation. The day includes a tour of the Hiland Hall School, one of several commercial customers that participated in Efficiency Vermont’s Deep Retrofit pilot program. In the past six months Hiland Hall has reduced its energy use by more than 50 percent.
Randolph and Bennington are the first two communities to participate in Efficiency Vermont’s pilot program to focus on raising energy efficiency awareness within motivated communities. In the second half of 2016 Efficiency Vermont will focus in the communities of Barre and Hartford/White River Junction. All four communities responded to a Request for Interest that Efficiency Vermont issued in late 2015.
About Efficiency Vermont
As the nation’s first Energy Efficiency Utility, Efficiency Vermont has helped Vermont avoid over 13.2 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence award for the last eight consecutive years. Efficiency Vermont works with partners to help our state transition to more affordable, low carbon energy use through education, incentives, and support for our clean energy workforce. Learn more at www.efficiencyvermont.com.
About Randolph Area Community Development Corporation
Randolph Area Community Development Corporation (RACDC) is a nonprofit organization created to unite the community in efforts to strengthen our region’s social and economic assets, enrich quality of life, and instill pride and confidence. We do this by promoting sound development practices and investment, creating affordable housing options, preserving environmental and historic resources, and leading in the revitalization of downtown and village centers. For more information visit www.racdc.com
About Better Bennington Corporation
The Better Bennington Corporation (BBC) is the lead organization which coordinates public and private efforts to maintain Downtown Bennington, Vermont as the commercial and cultural heart of the community. For more information, contact BBC at 802-442-5758 or www.betterbennington.com
Efficiency Vermont Press Contact
Matthew Smith
Phone: (802) 540-7662
[email protected]