Local Action Plan Recommendations: Brattleboro, Vermont

Agriculture and Forestry Sector

Continue Street Tree Planting
Trees play an important role in the Brattleboro community that goes well beyond aesthetics. Their shade helps to offset air conditioning use in the summer, and they can reduce heating costs by blocking cold winds in the winter. Storm water absorbed by city trees can lock up pollutants that would otherwise end up in the Connecticut River.


10% Challenge Energy Efficiency Community Campaign (Proposed)
This measure seeks to achieve a 10% reduction in energy consumption among Brattleboro businesses with the implementation of a 10% Challenge Campaign to encourage energy efficiency. The program would provide information about efficient lighting, heating and cooling, co-generation, performance contracting and financial incentives. The town could issue a certification or award to businesses that initiate emissions reduction activities with regard to energy conservation or waste prevention. The award would serve as public recognition of the efforts of local businesses and industry to lessen the impact of their activities on the environment. If 50% of businesses in Brattleboro committed to a 10% reduction in energy consumption through this program, it would result in the elimination of 780 tons of CO2 and financial savings of $46,423.

Use of Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs in Businesses (Proposed)
This measure evaluates the impact of Brattleboro business owners converting conventional incandescent lightbulbs to compact fluorescents for their office lighting needs. Incandescent lightbulbs waste a lot of electricity through the heat that the bulbs produce. A fluorescent bulb produces much less heat and as a result can be four to six times as efficient as incandescent bulbs. A 15-watt compact fluorescent provides the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent. If Brattleboro businesses converted their conventional lightbulbs to compact fluorescents, it could result in $4,280,631 in annual energy savings.

Cross-Sectoral or Other Sector

Expand Climate Change Outreach and Education Program
Brattleboro should partner with existing environmental education programs such as that at the Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center to develop and implement an education program on climate change to be incorporated into the public school curriculum. This curriculum will be catered to different age groups and could be a useful tool for general outreach about the Brattleboro Climate Change program. Programs in school could incorporate hands-on learning projects such as monitoring light usage in school or having students monitor automobile usage at home. The director of the program could also pursue grant-writing and utilizing funding opportunities such as the Human-I-Tees and Schools Go Green grants that are available for environmentally oriented projects. Building outreach and awareness of climate change can also extend beyond the classroom. In this respect, resources that discuss specific climate change issues with a focus on positive solutions could be compiled for all Brattleboro residents. This may include inserts in tax bills, public displays, tabling at local events, continuous public forums, press coverage, and citizen participation in the climate change protection process. Such outreach activities are instrumental in generating interest in Brattleboro's involvement with climate change efforts. The administration of such a program could become the responsibility of the Energy Efficiency Coordinator, should Brattleboro create this position.

Establish Energy Efficiency/ Community Environmental Coordinator Position (Proposed)
One way to ensure the completion of the five milestones of the Brattleboro Climate Change Protection Campaign would be to hire a full or part-time Energy Efficiency/ Environmental Coordinator. This person would assume direct responsibility for measures such as the 10% Challenge Program and the Outreach and Education Program, and would serve as an organizer and catalyst for the implementation of other measures. The individual would be charged with maintaining the emissions inventory on climate change software so that the town can measure its progress towards the emissions reduction target, and could also assume responsibilities not directly related to the climate change campaign, such as assisting with other planning duties.

Power Generation Sector

Wood-Chip Heating System at Brattleboro Municipal Union High School (Proposed)
The Windham Southeast Supervisory Union is in the process of renovating the Brattleboro Union High School and Middle School campus on Fairground Road, with completion expected by Fall 2006. In addition to structural energy-efficiency improvements, there are plans to install a district heating system that burns scrap wood chips, replacing the current oil-fired system. These changes will help the school to achieve a 75-80% reduction in emissions. The estimated start-up cost for the wood-chip system is $600,000. However, 50% of the cost will be paid by the state of Vermont, bringing the initial local investment to $300,000. Assuming oil prices of $0.93 per gallon and wood-chip prices of $27 per ton and given preliminary estimates of the building heating loads, the wood-chip system is projected to save approximately $55,000 per year, resulting in a simple payback period of about 5.5 years.

Performance Contracting with an ESCO Municipal for Building Efficiency Upgrades
Town Energy: The Town of Brattleboro would contract with an Energy Services Company (ESCO) to perform energy audits and retrofits on town-owned buildings. The proposed costs of the work would be paid from the guaranteed energy savings resulting from the retrofits, and the ESCO would be responsible for maintenance. The town could also take advantage of financial incentives from Efficiency Vermont. Assuming a 10% reduction in energy use, the Town of Brattleboro would save $64,901 annually. The savings from this program could be used to establish a revolving energy efficiency fund, to pay for future energy investments in municipal buildings and operations that develop as technology improves.

Windham Southeast Supervisory Union (WSESU) Energy: The Windham Southeast Supervisory Union would contract with an Energy Services Company (ESCO) to perform energy audits and retrofits on WSESU-owned buildings, excluding Brattleboro Union High School and Brattleboro Area Middle School, which are undergoing renovation. The costs of the work would be paid from the guaranteed energy savings resulting from the retrofits, and the ESCO would be responsible for maintenance. WSESU could also take advantage of financial incentives from Efficiency Vermont. Assuming a 10% reduction in energy use, WSESU would save $14,489 annually.

Continue Usage of LED Traffic Signals
The Public Works Department installed LED (light-emitting diode) lights for the traffic signals at Canal Street and Fairground Road, High and Oak Street, Vernon and Morningside intersections in early 2002. This project was partially funded with a grant from Efficiency Vermont. LED lights use 80 to 90% less energy than conventional incandescent bulbs. In addition, LED lights last 5-6 times longer than conventional lights, needing replacement every 7-10 years, rather than every 1.5 years. The conversion resulted in an annual saving of $1500. If all Town-owned signals were converted to LED lights, the total annual savings would be at least $4900. Converting pedestrian signals in the downtown area to LED lighting would result in even greater savings.

Municipal Use of Solar Electricity (Proposed)
The installation of solar photovoltaic panels on municipal buildings could provide many environmental and economic benefits to the Town of Brattleboro. Photovoltaics provide electricity from the sun's rays using superconductor technology. Photovoltaic systems can be used to power lights, appliances, and business equipment. While the technology for municipal solar use exists today, there are many barriers, due mostly to the high cost of installation, that stand in the way of this measure. However, programs like the federal Million Solar Roofs initiative are working to overcome barriers such as the lack of consumer and professional knowledge about solar technologies, limited number of qualified solar installers, high system cost, limited financing options and infrastructure barriers to grid-tied systems. This measure anticipates that the Municipal Center will be installed with a 2 kilowatt PV system. The estimated savings is $320 annually.

District Energy for Downtown Brattleboro Community (Proposed)
District energy systems use one or more central plants to provide heat or cooling to multiple buildings. This approach replaces individual, building-based boilers, furnaces, and cooling systems. With a district energy system, thermal energy - in the form of hot water, steam, or chilled water - is distributed by underground pipelines from the central plants to each of the connected buildings. Energy is extracted at the buildings and the water comes back to the central plants, through return pipes, to be heated or cooled again. District energy plants can be designed to produce electrical power as well as energy for heating and cooling. This is called combined heat and power, or CHP. CHP plants are able to get more usable energy out of the input fuel than a plant that produces only electricity.

Residential Sector

10% Challenge Energy Efficiency Community Campaign (Proposed)
This measure seeks to achieve a 10% reduction in home energy consumption with the implementation of a residential energy efficiency campaign. This program would support Efficiency Vermont's rebates for lighting and appliances, and SEVCA's (Southeastern Vermont Community Action) weatherization program for low-income residents. It would include energy education and outreach efforts to citizens and schoolchildren, and involve the creation of informational material and workshops that outline available resources, contacts and strategies for energy efficiency. If the program resulted in a 10% decrease in energy consumption in Brattleboro residences, 3793 tons of CO2 would be eliminated and an annual financial savings of $834,392 could be achieved.

Home Energy Program (Proposed)
This program would operate as part of the 10% Challenge Residential Energy Program. Brattleboro Climate Protection could develop a traveling briefcase containing energy efficient light bulbs and information on energy saving programs and appliances. Trained volunteers would carry these door to door to accomplish the following: assist homeowners in ordering compact fluorescent bulbs and other conservation products, conduct an energy survey to determine types, sources and costs of energy used and conservation and efficiency opportunities, test appliance efficiency with wattmeters, and provide information on conservation, efficiency, and renewable programs.

Green Lawn Campaign (Proposed)
This campaign would operate as part of the 10% Challenge Residential Energy Program. This program would encourage alternative lawn care methods for homeowners. These could include the following: allowing a portion of lawns to go to meadow and wildflowers; where appropriate, using a push or electric mower rather than a gas-powered mower; and finally workshops, possibly organized in conjunction with gardening stores and environmental organizations, would provide information on the benefits of alternative lawn care.

Bulk Fuel Purchase Club (Proposed)
This measure would be implemented as part of the 10% Challenge Residential Energy Program. Brattleboro Climate Protection could organize an Energy Club to help members save money on their heating oil purchases and reduce the amount of energy they are using. Members would fill out and return a home energy survey to Brattleboro Climate Protection and agree to participate in a follow-up phone consultation on ways to conserve energy and use it more efficiently. The lower fuel prices from buying through the club would act as an incentive to encourage members to use less energy, which will help them reduce their energy costs even more. Most members who implement the efficiency recommendations should be able to cut a quarter to a third off their current overall energy use.

Use of Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (Proposed)
The Department of Brattleboro Climate Protection evaluated the impact of Brattleboro residents converting conventional incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescents for their home lighting needs. Incandescent light bulbs waste a lot of electricity through the heat that the bulbs produce. A fluorescent bulb produces much less heat and as a result can be four to six times as efficient as incandescent bulbs. A 15-watt compact fluorescent provides the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent. If Brattleboro residents converted their lightbulbs to compact fluorescents, it could result in $101,395.21 in annual financial savings.

Establish Volt Loan Program (Proposed)
Brattleboro may be in a position to take advantage of a Fannie Mae loan program that can provide up to $20,000 per homeowner in unsecured consumer credit at very reasonable rates for the purpose of implementing efficiency upgrades to their homes. The program, known as the Volt Loan program, has been in operation for several years in a number of states and communities around the country, but is still a largely untapped resource. If the program were implemented and vigorously promoted in Brattleboro, it could bring millions of dollars of long-term capital investment into the community and set the stage for an independent and sustainable energy future for the town. The Town of Brattleboro could establish an agency inside the town government that would act as the sponsor and administrator of the program. This agency could also be used at a later time to oversee any other energy-related initiatives.

Transportation Sector

Continue Police Units on Bicycle
The Brattleboro Police Department currently has four bicycles that are used for patrols. These patrols operate nine months out of the year, with heaviest use during the summer months. The police bicycle program has resulted in many benefits for Brattleboro. Moving police out of cars and onto bicycles reduces municipal fuel use and provides visible evidence that bicycling is a legitimate option for transportation. Bike police also have a positive impact on crime, as bicycles are more difficult to spot than cruisers, and allow access to areas inaccessible to cars. In addition, the patrols are good for public relations, as they make police more approachable and can be used for special events. The four mountain bikes have contributed to the annual elimination of 12 tons of CO2 and savings of $1,820 in avoided fuel costs.

Conversion of Fleet Vehicles to Biodiesel (Proposed)
The Town of Brattleboro could use biodiesel in diesel vehicles used by the Highway Department, Fire Department, and the Beeline bus service. Biodiesel is a clean, renewable diesel fuel substitute produced from agricultural resources such as soybeans or rapeseed. Vegetable oil from these plants, either used or virgin, is processed with lye and methanol to form biodiesel. It can be burned in any standard, unmodified diesel engine, most commonly as a 20% blend. Current biodiesel fleets have reported operational consistency over extended periods of use - engine performance, payload power and range are completely unaltered. If Brattleboro's 32 heavy trucks, equipment vehicles and buses currently running on diesel were fueled with biodiesel, 72 tons of CO2 could be eliminated. Brattleboro should also investigate low sulfur diesel, which reduces the particulate emissions associated with conventional diesel.

Efficient Vehicles Ordinance (Proposed)
The Town of Brattleboro could pass an ordinance requiring that all new vehicles purchased by the town for municipal use are the most fuel-efficient vehicle allowable for the job. Current vehicles in every department would be evaluated to determine if the size and the fuel type of the vehicles are appropriate based on the frequency and the type of usage. Where feasible, the town would purchase smaller vehicles for each department. When upgrading the fleet, the town would take into account the main use of the vehicle and will purchase the smallest and most fuel-efficient vehicle in the class required for the job.

Hybrid Gas/Electric Vehicles in Town Fleet (Proposed)
The Town of Brattleboro should encourage the use of hybrid and electric vehicles in the town vehicle fleet, including the Beeline bus service, wherever feasible. These vehicles would make the most sense for uses that do not require extra power or high speeds, such as parking vans.

Continue Bicycling/Walking Outreach Program Community Transportation
While Brattleboro cannot control weather or people's commuting distance, the town benefits from the walk-ability of its downtown and bike-ability of some roads in the area. In locations such as downtown where the infrastructure is in place, bicycling and walking trips can take the place of certain auto trips. Improvements such as new and expanded bike paths, wider road shoulders, bicycle storage facilities, safe sidewalks, and crossings can encourage more bicycling and walking in and around Brattleboro. The Windham Regional Commission's Bike/Pedestrian committee sponsors a week-long series of events each spring to promote increased bicycling and walking. Shifting an additional 10 trips from single-occupant automobiles to bicycles through the bicycle outreach program and new bike paths could reduce up to 14,052 pounds of CO2 a year and could save Brattleboro commuters up to $563 a year in fuel savings. The Windham Regional Commission is the department responsible for the Bicycling and Walking Outreach Program.

Extend Town and Regional Bus Service
The Town of Brattleboro currently operates the town bus system, called the Beeline. There are plans to expand the number of buses running in order to reduce the headways (time between buses), and possibly to reconfigure the route setup to create loops. Long-term plans are to have three buses running on three separate loops, connecting at a central hub at the town's new transit center. The buses will make connections at the train station and at planned park-and-ride facilities at each exit on I-91. These changes should make the bus service more practical and convenient as an alternative to car use. There is currently a regional service between Brattleboro and Bellows Falls, with plans to add a connection to a Brattleboro-Bennington route. Another possibility is a bus line serving the West River Valley (Route 30).

Bicycle Paths
Public Works' planned Whetstone Brook Pathway will run from Main Street to Sunset Lake Road by way of the Downtown Transportation Center, Living Memorial Park, and the Academy School. As the first stage of the project, a pedestrian bridge over Whetstone Brook was completed in summer 2003. The Connecticut River Pathway will run from the Fort Hill Bridge just south of the Vernon Road wastewater treatment plant north to the Hinsdale Bridge and to the Veteran's Memorial (North) Bridge on Putney Road, just across from the beginning of the West River Trail. The Fort Hill Bridge would connect over the Connecticut River to the extensive New Hampshire trail system. Once the new Hinsdale Bridge is constructed about 1/8 mile south of the existing bridge, the existing truss bridges will be turned over to bicycle/pedestrian use. This project will be completed in approximately 10 years.

Brattleboro - Bennington Bus Line
The Windham Regional Commission's proposed regional bus line would operate between Brattleboro and Bennington, with stops in Marlboro, Wilmington, Dover, Searsburg, and Woodford. The bus line would account for savings of 421 CO2 tons and $45,624 in avoided fuel costs. A Brattleboro-to-Bennington Feasibility Study was completed in March 2001. Since then there have been no new action steps towards connecting the two towns via public transit. In February 2003, the Vermont Department of Transportation alerted all Regional Planning Commissions that no new projects will receive funding, although changes in funding could be made in the future.

No Idling Campaign (Proposed)
The town, through Brattleboro Climate Protection, could institute a "no-idling" public education campaign and require a clause in its contracts with construction firms prohibiting idling. Vehicle idling is responsible for millions of dollars per year in wasted fuel. Idling for 10 minutes per day wastes an average of 26 gallons of gasoline per year. As part of the Main Street Reconstruction Project, a computerized, closed-loop system to coordinate traffic signals is planned. This will result in more efficient pedestrian and traffic flow, with less idling and delay. This project is scheduled to begin in 2007.

Continue Compact Development Zoning Ordinances
Brattleboro is characteristic of the network of compact, walkable, mixed-use centers and neighborhoods in older cities and towns scattered throughout New England. Mixed-use development and zoning in Brattleboro is designed to permit a variety of community activities, locales and services to co-exist in close proximity, thereby reducing the need for extensive automotive travel. Transit-oriented development brings potential riders closer to transit facilities rather than building away from population centers. Another beneficial impact of mixed-use and transit-oriented development is to reduce the need for excess parking. Open space in Brattleboro provides a variety of environmental and aesthetic benefits including more opportunity for landscaping with woody plants to promote the absorption of CO2. Paved land tends to reduce adjacent property values, increases water pollution and storm water flooding, reduces visual and acoustic privacy and causes urban heat islands (increased local temperature). The Town of Brattleboro encourages Planned Unit Developments, Planned Residential Developments, and mixed uses. The downtown (Urban Center) zoning was recently amended to eliminate minimum lot coverage percentage and setbacks, and reduce the minimum lot size. There are minimum new building height requirements, and a ban on new private off-street parking.

Lobby for Increased Federal/State CAFÉ Standards (Proposed)
The Selectboard of Brattleboro Climate Protection evaluated the impact of lobbying for increased CAFÉ (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards, to 45 mpg for cars and 35 mpg for light trucks. The fuel economy of the average new passenger vehicle peaked in 1988 and is now less than it was 10 years ago. To reverse present trends and provide benefits to consumers and the environment, fuel economy standards need to be increased to over 40 mpg by 2010 and 55 mpg by 2020. A fleet of cars and light trucks that reach 40 mpg will cost consumers only about $1000 to $2000 extra per vehicle. However, the $2500 to $5300 saved on fuel over the life of the vehicle will more than compensate the consumer.

Waste Sector

Purchase of Environmentally Preferable Products (Proposed)
Purchasing policies can greatly affect the environmental impact of operations from government entities. State and local governments purchase more than $1 trillion in goods and services each year, according to Governing Magazine. The EPA has developed an ENERGY STAR labeling program for energy efficient equipment and appliances. Each ENERGY STAR computer and monitor saves $15 to $25 per year in energy costs. Products made from recycled materials should be preferred over those made from virgin materials when impacts of quality and cost are not excessive. The Town of Brattleboro should include in their Environmentally Preferred Products: janitorial and cleaning products, vehicle products, and building products (recycled lumber, plastic).

Continue Methane Recovery System at Landfill
The major source of methane emissions in Brattleboro is the 33-acre Old Ferry Road landfill, which operated from the 1950's to 1995. The closed landfill contains an estimated 1.5 million tons of waste. In 1982, a methane recovery facility was constructed. Three converted diesel engines burn the methane gas to generate approximately 400 KWH electricity per year, which is conducted back into the power grid for sale to Central Vermont Public Service. The estimated C02 savings is 44,598 tons.

Continue Recycling Program
The Windham Solid Waste Management District operates a weekly curbside recycling program serving both residential and municipal areas. In addition, recyclable materials from commercial buildings are collected by approximately ten private haulers and delivered to the recycling center on Old Ferry Road. The materials recycled include newspapers, phone books, mixed paper, corrugated cardboard, glass bottles and jars, aluminum, steel, tin, and plastic containers. In 2000, 2096 tons of paper and containers were collected from Brattleboro residences, businesses, and institutions. The estimated CO2 savings of the program is 3708 tons.

Continue Home Composting Program
The Windham Solid Waste Management District provides composting bins for sale to the public. Based on statewide statistics, Brattleboro households divert approximately 244 tons of food waste and 68 tons of yard waste per year through composting. The estimated C02 savings is 59 tons.

"Pay As You Throw" Solid Waste Disposal (Proposed)
In communities with pay-as-you-throw programs (also known as unit pricing or variable-rate pricing), residents are charged for the collection of municipal solid waste, ordinary household trash, based on the amount they throw away. Pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) breaks with tradition by treating trash services just like electricity, gas, and other utilities. Households pay a variable rate depending on the amount of service they use. PAYT is an effective tool for communities struggling to cope with soaring municipal solid waste management expenses. Well-designed programs generate the revenues communities need to cover their solid waste costs, including the costs of such complementary programs as recycling and composting. Residents benefit, too, because they have the opportunity to take control of their trash bills.