Efficiency Vermont Offers Community Energy Efficiency Outreach Grants

Burlington,, VT

Efficiency Vermont is looking for communities and non-profit organizations throughout the state that are interested in promoting the Button Up Day of Action happening on Nov. 12, 2016. Efficiency Vermont recently released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for grant funding to support community-based outreach efforts leading up to and on the Day of Action.

The Button Up Day of Action is a day in the late fall dedicated to educating and motivating Vermonters to take actions to lower their energy bills, reduce their carbon emissions, and increase their comfort. In addition to the grant funding, Efficiency Vermont will provide energy experts, signage, and other educational resources to communities as needed.

Town energy committees and other community-based groups are eligible to apply for up to $2,500 to support their outreach efforts, which could include:

• Energy workshops: Efficiency Vermont offers a range of workshops for communities, including ways to weatherize homes, use modern wood heating, pursue net zero energy use, or incorporate heat pumps into your home.

• Retailer events: In years past several energy committees have hosted events at their local retailers to educate residents about do-it-yourself opportunities to save energy.

• Home energy parties: events hosted in homes that has undergone comprehensive energy efficiency improvements. Neighbors and friends of the homeowner attend to share their experience and to learn more about the process and benefits.

Efficiency Vermont encourages local organizations to dream up creative ways to engage residents in taking action to save energy on Nov. 12, and in the weeks leading up to Button Up Day. The funds provided by Efficiency Vermont can be used to promote actions that improve thermal, electrical, or transportation efficiency for individuals and towns. 

“We are really excited to roll out this new approach to the Button Up Day of Action this year,” said Liz Gamache, Director of Efficiency Vermont. “Our goal is to motivate organizations in towns all over Vermont to engage their networks of local residents to save energy and money, and make their homes and businesses more comfortable.”

Proposals for grant funding are due on September 7, 2016. Visit http://www.veic.org/company/requests-for-proposals for more information on the RFP requirements and submittal instructions. Any questions should be directed to Paul Markowitz, Efficiency Vermont Program Manager, at [email protected] or 802-540-7608.

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.

Efficiency Vermont Press Contact
Matthew Smith
Phone: (802) 540-7662
[email protected]