| Local Policy Description: | 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.
|