From the Sustainable Energy Resource Group January 2008 Newsletter

For information on SERG, see: www.SERG-info.org

Note: SERG is still in need of funds for the coming year's projects. The Donation Form is Here. Donations are tax-deductible.

Contact info for SERG:
Bob Walker
Sustainable Energy Resource Group
432 Ulman Rd.
Thetford Center, VT 05075
802-785-4126
SERG@valley.net
www.SERG-info.org

National Call-in Day

Jan. 21st is a day of national call-in to the White House asking for bold action towards clean energy.

Number to call: (202)456-1414, (TTY/TDD (202) 456-6213)

Tell the operator you would like President Obama to invest in renewable energy such as wind, solar and geothermal and create true incentives to drive energy efficiency, because these are the cleanest cheapest and fastest options we have. Also ask that the economic stimulus package include $500 billion over three years for energy efficiency and renewable energy and no subsidies for coal and nuclear.

See http://theclean.org/callwh.html for details.

SERG Gets New Infrared Camera

SERG just bought a Flir B 50 infrared (IR) camera to add to our diagnostic tool kit for home performance assessments. The camera produces visual images of thermal loss in buildings that will help our contractors identify areas that need weatherization. The IR is also a great educational tool for the homeowner.
To learn more about SERG's Home Performance services, go to the "Residential Assessment and Survey" link at our website. While there you can calculate how efficiently your home heats by just filling in your home's square footage of heated space and the amount of heating fuel you use.

2009 Federal Tax Incentives for Energy Efficiency

You can find a summary of 2009 federal tax credits for energy efficient doors, windows, insulating material, geo-thermal units, solar hot water and PV systems, and biomass (i..e. wood) stoves (including pellet stoves) at:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm

And here is a link to a Consumer Reports blog about these credits:
blogs.consumerreports.org/home/2008/12/energy-credits.html

Thanks to Ken Jones for this information. I hope to have and circulate more info on these as well as new Vermont incentives in the next week or two. In the meantime, you can find more good information at www.energytaxincentives.org

Vermont Community Climate Change Grant Program

The Vermont Community Climate Change Grant Program has been established by the Department of Environmental Conservation to enable Vermont communities to implement measures that will improve energy efficiency and reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions in the near term. Grants of up to $12,000 are available to Vermont municipalities and non-profit organizations to support community based projects that will be implemented within twelve months of the grant award.

This grant program is intended to assist with implementation of projects planned or identified by town energy committees and local energy groups. In that regard, these groups and committees are encouraged to partner with their municipality or a non-profit organization to submit a grant application.

Proposals will be considered in two separate funding rounds, with application due dates of February 2, 2009 and April 1, 2009. Complete description of the grant program, including application form is available at:

http://www.anr.state.vt.us/air/Planning/htm/ClimateChangeApp.htm

Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN) Website

The Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN) has launched it's new website - www.vecan.net - which includes information for and about town energy committees in Vermont. Locate your town energy committee at the site. Learn how you can form a new committee. Find out what activities energy committees are working on. Download materials from the December statewide VECAN conference. SERG is a founding member of VECAN, helping to form town energy committees throughout the state.

2ND Annual VT. Green Building & Energy Show, Jan 9 – 11

The 2nd Annual VT Green Building & Energy Show returns to The Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction, on January 9-11. The show is designed to help VT residents and businesses learn how to save energy, save money and save our environment by going green. The event will feature free workshops on topics related to green energy, green building and green living, as well as exhibits and activities for all ages and every shade of green.

Show hours: Friday - Noon to 7pm, Saturday - 10am to 7pm, Sunday 10am to 5pm.

Tickets are $8 for adults. Children under 16 are free.

For more information contact, Charlie Nestor, Senior Producer, 802-735-1457, charlienestor@gmail.com

Windsor County Democratic Forum on Vermont Yankee, Jan. 12

The Windsor County Democratic Committee will hold a discussion about "Vermont's Energy Future and the Role of VT Yankee Nuclear Power Plant," Monday 1/12 at Damon Hall in Hartland 3 Corners, beginning at 7 pm. Legislators Mark Mitchell and Margaret Cheney of Windsor County and Tony Klein, 2007-08 Chair of the Vt. House Natural Resources and Energy Committee will participate. For more information call moderator Chuck Bohi at 802-295-5596.

Better Buildings by Design Conference, Feb 11 - Feb 12

Efficiency Vermont's Better Buildings by Design 2009 Conference takes place Feb. 11 & 12 at the Sheraton Conference Center in Burlington, Vermont. This is the region's premier design and construction conference, featuring interactive learning about building durability, efficiency, and value for both residential and commercial projects. For ALL the details, go to the Efficiency VT web site:

www.efficiencyvermont.com/pages/Business/BuildingEfficiently/BetterBuildingByDesignConferen/