Energy Democracy in Vermont

How Vermonters have successfully transitioned to energy efficient technologies

Introduction

With the passage of the Global Warming Solution Act in 2020, the exciting task of designing Vermont's energy future lies ahead of us. The law mandates reductions in Vermont's greenhouse gas emissions, with targets to meet by 2025, 2030, and 2050––and importantly, these goals are within our reach. Models prove that Vermonters can use current technology and best practices to reach these energy goals with individual actions, so now more than every we are relying upon the community founded on "Freedom and Unity" to help create a more sustainable future (Duval et al., 2020, pg. 6).

So how can we go about making this vision of a Vermont based on clean energy a reality? The end goal is a sustainable, just transition by the community and for the community, but this future will require action by individuals––and it will require intentional support so that clean energy is accessible for all Vermonters. As seen in the graphic at right, the lowest income Vermonters spend less on energy than upper–income households, yet it takes up a larger portion of their income (Duval et al., 2020, pg. 5). Additionally, national data demonstrate that Black, Indigenous, and other people of color are disproportionately impacted by structural inequities in U.S. energy systems, with particular and generationally-persistent impacts on Black households (Duval et al., 2020, pg. 5). It is imperative that in making this transition, everyone––and especially those in overburdened and underserved communities––is included throughout the decision-making process and has access to clean energy systems for financial, environmental, and health reasons.

We hope that the stories collected below lend insight into some of the challenges facing Vermont as it moves towards a bolder, brighter future that empowers the collective. We spoke with homeowners in a lower-income and politically marginalized region, as well as renters from a variety of income backgrounds who have found ways to engage with clean energy that work for them. We hope these examples inspire and encourage other Vermonters to take similar steps; action is required of all of us, and there is no time like the present to start saving money, living comfortably, and protecting the environment.

Homeowner Stories

We spoke with a couple of households who collaborated with  NeighborWorks of Western Vermont , an organization dedicated to sustainable housing for Vermonters. In both cases, NeighborWorks facilitated the process of determining energy needs, finding contractors, and facilitating rebates in order to weatherize their homes.

Homeowners in the Northeast Kingdom

The homeowners we spoke with live in the region of Vermont known as The Northeast Kingdom: comprised of Orleans, Essex, and Caledonia Counties, it is known as one of the most rural parts of the state. It is also one of the poorest and one of the most conservative parts of Vermont (Evancie & Heilman, 2018).

The map below displays the three counties that form the Northeast Kingdom as well as the towns in which our homeowners reside.

Renter Stories

In addition to our conversations with homeowners, we spoke with Vermont renters and landlords to understand their perspectives, recognizing renters as people who have a different ability to relate to their housing situation compared to homeowners and landlords as a critical population for fostering clean energy amongst many Vermont households.

A split situation and a crucial demographic

Part of the reason renters are a critical piece of the puzzle for achieving energy efficiency and reducing emissions in Vermont is sheer numbers: 29% of Vermont households rent (NLIHC, 2020). Further, a full 27% of these renter households qualify as extremely low-income: of this subset of renter households, 67% spend over half their income on rent and utilities (NLIHC, 2020). Taken together, these statistics indicate that 1. renter households form a large part of the Vermont population and need to be included in efforts to fight climate change, and 2. a significant portion of renter households presently face severe cost burden and may have limited ability to pursue clean energy and energy efficiency measures due to financial circumstances.

Over 20,000 Vermont renter households have incomes at or below 30% of their area median income or the poverty guidelines (NLIHC 2020).

Wood stove at Bill's home in East Charleston

Additionally, while homeowners may enjoy the freedom of deciding what to do with their house, renters occupy a different position. In many instances, renters are dependent upon their landlords for the technologies available to heat and provide electricity to their residence. This situation can create a split incentive, as landlords can be reluctant to pay greater upfront costs for a more efficient technology, like a heat pump or solar panels, when renters are the ones who often pay for monthly utilities. These circumstances can limit access to clean energy options: across the spectrum renters are less likely to be able to use low-cost, locally sourced wood as a heat source, and none of the Addison County renters we spoke with had access to wood stoves to heat their homes (Duval et al. 2020; personal communication).

We see this challenge in the collection of quotes below, which highlight the central importance of cost for renters and the need for state action. There is a desire for clean and efficient homes among renters, but many felt limited in their ability to access energy efficiency because they are not homeowners. One renter remarked "I am handing over responsibility mentally to the landlords," with another adding "There’s no incentive for me to sink money into a location if I’m then going to leave it."

 Gradient  window-mounted heat pump

Recognizing the unique situation renters find themselves in, they need specific support to access clean energy: potential options include programs like  energy aligned clauses , which allow landlords to recoup part of the expense of new technology installation (examples could include heat pump installation or building renovations) from renters who simultaneously save money on utilities bills due to increased efficiency, or other state interventions that would encourage landlords to take action or support renters with alternative financing structures.

Looking even farther into the future, one Addison County resident suggested looking to European models of portable window-mounted heat pumps as an option for renters. The company  Gradient  is currently in beta trials for its product––which would allow renters to bring efficient and cleaner heating technology with them wherever they rent. This technology is still emerging in North America, and the cost of a unit remains to be seen, but these represent an innovation that has potential for the future of Vermont's renter population.

Rental property successes

There are notable examples of rental properties that successfully provide renters with clean energy options, improving renter comfort as well as reducing environmental impact. Audrey of Addison County shared her experience at one such building with us:

The building Audrey lives in is a compelling example of what a model emphasizing accessible sustainability can look like, as each renter pays their monthly rent based on their income. This scaled rent allows people with various incomes to have an affordable home that keeps them comfortable, safe, and contributes to a greener future for Vermont.

“The way I benefit is I want to be in a building that is energy efficient and has solar and it is very comfortable…It is a savings to me to have those things” Renter, Addison County

A cleaner, greener rental home

Fortunately, there are many examples of rental properties throughout Addison County that illustrate how landlord and renter interests can align when it comes to clean energy and energy efficiency.

"We want to be in the middle of the Venn diagram of efficient things and nice things" Landlord, Addison County

Efficient windows and LED lighting at a renovated apartment in Addison County.

One landlord described the process of renovating an old building to install heat pumps, LED lighting, and energy efficient windows. The landlord worked with the builder to interface with Efficiency Vermont and receive rebates, and received a check at the end of the process for qualifying renovations. He mentioned they had considered solar, but it was not financially feasible as they were already connected to power, would need to install inverters, and were unsure if the roof was structurally sound enough to support the weight of solar panels.

"I'd always consider solar; I mean, it's right there. Why aren't we using it all the time?" Landlord, Addison County

Another amazing example of efficient rental properties are a set of  duplexes in Addison County , which were renovated from traditional mobile homes into net-zero duplexes, complete with solar panels, a battery system to store electricity in case of an outage, and heat pumps. These duplexes are available for rent by low- and middle-income households, and two of the fourteen units are ADA accessible. This project was made possible by the collaboration of many parties from the community trust involved to the architects and home-building company.

Conclusion

The number one barrier to energy efficiency goals at the personal level that came up in every conversation with renters, homeowners, and landlords was the limiting effect and importance of cost. This also included non-monetary costs, such as navigating bureaucracy and the inconvenience that comes with home renovation. Secondary to this was the challenge of finding resources––from diagnosing energy needs to hiring contractors to tracking down rebates, individuals often felt frustrated by the decentralized nature of much of the information surrounding energy efficiency. However, each of the aforementioned examples showcase resources and organizations that have worked hard to successfully support Vermonters in choosing clean energy. In addition, the volatility of the situation politically and at the individual level can make it challenging to have meaningful conversations that facilitate energy transitions, especially in underserved areas. A central challenge is a lack of representation leading to antagonistic feelings about potentially helpful policies, which feeds polarization and hinders progress toward emissions goals. That said, the photos, quotes, and audio clips here are clear demonstrations of Vermonters who care about creating meaningful change and are willing to have conversations about challenging topics including climate and energy goals. It is individual actions such as these that make up large-scale progress, and these stories serve to put real faces to the ways that Vermonters are striving toward a better future.

References

Duval, J., Robechek, C., Butler, M., & Wesley, C. (2020). Annual Progress Report for Vermont 2020/2021. Energy Action Network.  https://www.eanvt.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/EAN-APR2020-21_finalJune2.pdf 

Evancie, A. & Heilman, E. (2018). "Is the Northeast Kingdom Really So Different?" Vermont Public Radio.  https://www.vpr.org/programs/2018-03-09/is-the-northeast-kingdom-really-so-different 

McCullum, A. (2020). "No large wind projects are under consideration in Vermont for the first time in years." Burlington Free Press.  https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/local/vermont/2020/01/27/where-vermont-wind-projects-and-why-did-development-stop/4586494002/ 

Many thanks to our community partners at Energy Action Network, our mentors Mez Baker–Médard and Diane Munroe, our contacts at NeighborWorks and ACCT, and all the renters, homeowners, and rental property owners who spoke with us this fall.

Wood stove at Bill's home in East Charleston

 Gradient  window-mounted heat pump

Efficient windows and LED lighting at a renovated apartment in Addison County.