Vermont Climate ACtion Plan

The initial Vermont Climate Action Plan (VTCAP) was enacted in December 2021 by the Vermont Climate Council to meet the state’s Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) of 2020 (Act 153). A key provision of the GWSA is the goal to cut the state’s climate pollution (e.g. carbon and methane emissions) in half by 2030. The VTCAP was also developed in accordance with the State of Vermont’s Comprehensive Energy Plan which was released in November 2021. The Climate Council states that they will be updating the plan at least every four years.

Included in the VTCAP are the specifics of climate change in the region, details on the state’s energy economy and opportunities related to climate action, the foundational criteria necessary for the completion of their goals, discussion on equity to ensure a just transition, and an overview of the pathways (emission reduction, building land resilience, building community resilience, and enhancing carbon sequestration).

The different “Pathways” sections of the plan outline various “strategies” and “actions,” some of which are applicable to the implementation of the SAU 70 CAP. Some of these include:

• “Identify, develop, and share best practices for reducing … school district … fossil fuel consumption (p. 164)”
• “Equitably expand access to programs that provide options to … school districts … for weatherization, electrification, and utility upgrades (p. 165)”
• “Provide funding for climate-related education at all levels, outreach, research, and technical assistance programs (p. 235)”

Town of Norwich

Norwich Town Plan

The Norwich Energy Plan, “describes the current setting for energy use in Norwich, and then moves to a consideration of how much renewable energy Norwich can generate.” The Energy Plan has mapped areas of Norwich that have the potential for renewable energy generation, energy conservation, and efficiency measures have been outlined. As stated in the Energy Plan, “Future targets for energy generation, use and conservation have been set for all Vermont municipalities as part of the state’s enhanced energy planning under Act 174” (Town of Norwich 2019).

Norwich Energy Committee

The Norwich Energy Committee works with residents, businesses, and the Town of Norwich to reduce energy consumption, improve the efficiency of energy used, promote renewable energy generation, and reduce GHG emissions. The Committee makes recommendations to the Norwich Selectboard regarding town policy on energy-related matters. They have made it a goal to receive 90 percent of residential, municipal, and school electricity from solar, receive 90 percent of heating needs from renewable resources, and reduce petroleum-based energy use for transportation. The Committee has been continuing the Solarize Norwich campaign and contributing what they can to the statewide energy goal of 90 percent renewable energy by 2050. The Norwich Energy Committee has achieved some of their goals and is continuing to work towards others.