...Across the Green Mountains, there are now almost 90 of these primarily volunteer grassroots groups. Through my work at VNRC, which is a founding partner in the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network, I am lucky enough to work with many of them. Gathering in churches, town offices, living rooms and beyond, town energy committees are helping to shape important dialogues, shave expensive energy loads, spur the transition to renewables and lower the carbon emissions that are contributing to climate change.

Last June, for example, the Middlesex Energy Committee helped organize what they coined a “21st Century Barn Raising.” Like building a barn by the hands of friends and neighbors, the intensive, largely volunteer-driven weatherization of one of the town’s biggest energy users, the elementary school, was no small feat. But the results are impressive. Organizers estimate their two-day effort will save the school 2,000 to 2,500 gallons of fuel oil a year.


Right next door, Waterbury’s energy committee, called the Local Energy Action Partnership, is working with community officials to build support and secure funding for solar installations on both the middle and elementary schools. The goal? Raise awareness about the benefits of renewable energy, help the schools cut their carbon emissions and reduce the school’s (and therefore area taxpayers’) energy bills.

Farther north, the Hardwick Energy Action Team and the Hardwick Area Transition Town are co-convening a public dialogue Nov. 15 to craft a long-range energy plan and assess how they can reduce their community’s collective carbon footprint.