Three Things: Sharing Transportation for Vermonters’ 2024 Policy Agenda, delving into the details on heat pump deployment in Vermont, and inviting you to tomorrow’s Art Walk event at VNRC’s office!
Stay informed, connected, and engaged—three things.
Transportation for Vermonters’ 2024 Policy Agenda: Priorities for an Equitable and Sustainable Transportation System
Our automobile-centric transportation system is highly polluting, expensive, and inaccessible to many,and Vermonters deserve better. VNRC’s Sustainable Communities program coordinates Transportation for Vermonters (T4VT), a statewide, cross-sector coalition dedicated to advocating for an equitable, affordable, and sustainable transportation system for all Vermonters. As the legislative session has officially commenced, we wanted to share T4VT’s Policy Agenda, which includes seven key priorities for lawmakers to advance this session. If you’re curious what this broad coalition will be advocating for this session, be sure to check it out!
Vermont Leads New England in Heat Pump Deployment, and Begins to Design a Program to Help all Vermonters Access Clean Energy
As a recent VTDigger article highlighted, new data from Efficiency Vermont shows that our state has the highest rate of heat pump installations per capita in New England, with approximately 63,000 heat pumps installed in homes and businesses across Vermont. This is exciting news on the heels of the passage of the Affordable Heat Act last legislative session. The policy’s enactment launched a 2-year process to design a program to incentivize fossil fuel importers to deliver cleaner heat options — primarily to low- and moderate-income Vermonters — and especially with solutions that cut costs over time, like heat pumps. The Vermont Public Utility Commission has since begun to dig into the details and complexities of designing the program, and we will keep you updated as big developments in this process and public engagement opportunities occur.
Join Us Tomorrow: Susan Bull Riley as Part of Montpelier Art Walk at VNRC’s Office!
Tomorrow, Friday, February 2nd, VNRC will host a reception for painter Susan Bull Riley in conjunction with Montpelier Art Walk. Susan’s exhibit, “Plant Portraiture in Watercolor.” Doors will be open to the public from 4:30 to 7:30 pm, and light refreshments will be served while supplies last. Susan will also be on-site to discuss the methods and inspiration behind her work. And while you’re in Montpelier, another exhibit worth checking out is the “Eye of Senator Leahy,” which showcases photographs taken by Patrick Leahy over his many decades of public service. You can see these photos at the Vermont Supreme Court Gallery, our neighbors and the #17 venue at this Friday’s Art Walk.