2025-2026 Report of Awardees
Northeastern Vermont Development Association
The Vermont Council on Rural Development’s Climate Catalyst Innovation Fundsupports local innovative climate projects for which a small grant could have a meaningful impact at the community level. In this round, $60,500 in grants ranging from $500 to $4,000 were awarded to 17 local projects developing solutions that move Vermont closer to its climate and energy goals.
Funded projects in the NEK include:
- Caledonia County: NVDA will partner with Lyndon Institute (LI) to expand access to accredited solar workforce training by offering free enrollment for 20 LI students, the majority of whom are income-eligible and first-generation learners. The 40-hour Residential Solar Installation & Design course is approved for Electronic Technicians Association certification preparation.
- Hardwick: The Civic Standard will install a high-efficiency geothermal heat pump system in their new headquarters in partnership with other funders.
- Northeast Kingdom: Ticket to Ride, a project of Tiny Seed Project, Inc., will create a nine-month program to help participants engage safely and confidently in bicycle commuting and multi-modal transportation (bike to bus).
- Northeast Kingdom: Town of Greensboro Energy & Climate Action Committee will pilot a “Building Readiness for RBES” campaign to help Northeast Kingdom homeowners, towns, and local contractors understand both the benefits and the practical steps needed to meet Vermont’s Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES).
Learn about the VT Climate Action Plan Priorities
Jan 6 & 12, 12pm (online)
The Vermont Climate Council will host two events for Vermonters to learn about the Plan’s priority actions and discuss how we are moving from planning into action. We hope you can join the conversation. Register for a virtual event on January 6 at 6:00pm, or January 12 at 12:00 pm. The Vermont Climate Action Plan is a roadmap for how Vermont will continue to act on climate change. Updated in July 2025, it outlines how to cut climate pollution and build resilience in communities and nature.
2026 VT Environmental Common Agenda
Jan 15, 12pm (online)
In this year’s Environmental Common Agenda, which outlines the Vermont environmental community’s shared top policy priorities in 2026, learn about the strategies these organizations are seeking to help ensure a healthy democracy, smart growth housing and conservation solutions, better transportation options, toxic-free communities, and affordable clean energy. Join the webinar on January 15 at 12pm to hear from the Vermont environmental community on these important issues and how you can engage with them in 2026.
Energy Saving WebinarsBy Efficiency Vermont
Efficiency Vermont’s webinar series included hot topics like how to insulate attics and basements, how to know if a heat pump is right for your home, and more. Attendees said the webinars were informative and helpful. Check out the recordings to see how these insights can support the families you serve, or share them out directly with your community.
Applications are open for the 2026 Round of Resilient Communities
Jan 20, deadline to apply!
All around Vermont, communities are seeking to become more resilient and thrive in a changing world and climate. VCRD’s Climate Economy Resilient Communities supports three to five communities each year working on local climate action solutions that increase climate resilience, help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy use, and/or strengthen the local climate economy. Services are adaptable based on the community’s needs and can include support with community engagement processes, strategic planning, technical assistance, and/or project implementation.
Button Up Vermont Survey
Enter to win a $50 Gift Card!
Please help inform future Button Up Vermont campaigns by completing this short survey. Whether you participated in 2025 or not, please provide your feedback as a representative of a town or organization that does work related to energy. Respondents who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing to receive a $50 gift card.
2025 Clean Energy Industry Report
Read the report!
The 2025 Vermont Clean Energy Industry Report (VCEIR) is the 12th in a series of reports prepared by BW Research Partnership, Inc. under commission by the Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF) of the Vermont Department of Public Service (PSD). The VCEIR tracks clean energy employment in the State of Vermont, based on a state-specific definition of clean energy technologies. Clean energy employment data is presented by the clean energy technology sector, sub-technology, and value chain segment.
MERP Efforts Underway
Mar 31 Deadline Coming Up!
The Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) provides staff support, application and technical assistance, and funding to increase energy resilience, reduce energy use and operating costs, and curb greenhouse gas emissions by promoting weatherization, thermal improvements, fuel switching, renewable energy, battery storage, electric vehicle charging, and enhanced comfort in municipal buildings.
Here’s a snapshot of MERP progress to date in the Northeast Kingdom:
- $2.5 million in MERP funds distributed so far (out of $11.4 million awarded)
- 28 Heat Pumps installed
- 29 Building Envelopes improved
- 5 Oil Burners decommissioned
This spring, BGS will be reviewing all awardees to ensure they’ll be able to accomplish their scope of work. As detailed in Attachment B of the MERP grant agreement, March 31, 2026 is the deadline for BGS to redistribute funds if they find a municipality doesn’t have the capacity to fulfill the grant agreement. NVDA is here to help your community make a plan, assist with drafting RFPs, and get implementation projects rolling to demonstrate compliance, and ensure full retention of MERP awards. Schedule a meeting with Carter Finegan for NVDA support.
Northeastern Vermont Development Association | PO Box 630 36 Eastern Ave. Suite 1 | St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 US