Morrisville, Efficiency Vermont launch local campaign

“We really want to encourage people to button up, tighten up, and lower energy bills,” said Tricia Follert, Morristown’s community development coordinator.

“This program will be whatever you want to make of it,” said Paul Markowitz, program manager at Efficiency Vermont. “It will all be based on what you want to do to help folks lower their energy bills, whether it’s renewables; etc., and who you want to target.”

The program aims to support efficiency, raise visibility, and help businesses and residents achieve measurable energy savings. It is expected to include on-site energy audits, educational workshops and community events.

Barre Town was one of the first Vermont municipalities to enter the program. There, Efficiency Vermont was able to walk through homes and businesses, identifying where each could find savings. Ideas ranged from buying a more energy-efficient refrigerator to simply replacing light fixtures with LEDs.

The utility then connected those folks with contractors who could complete the work, and showed them various financing options.

In Barre, 32 homes and 19 businesses got walk-throughs. Morristown can do better, said Peter Bourne, owner of Bourne’s Energy.

“Thirty-two people doesn’t seem like a high enough return,” Bourne said. “I’d think we could get 100 or 200 people involved in Morristown. A home walk-through only takes two hours of their time, it’s cost-free, and they’ll save money.”

Efficiency Vermont said this is only a pilot program, but it can look into bringing more resources to Morristown for walk-throughs. It will also work with the community on connecting with local people, will host energy workshops, among other things.

“We have resources, but you folks really know the community, and your reach out will be more powerful in terms of getting people involved. They don’t know me from Adam,” Markowitz said.

Bourne said community leaders need to get on board with this program, and then evangelize about their energy savings to help get others on board.

Dave Yacovone, one of Morristown’s state representatives, thought Meals on Wheels could get involved, and deliver informational flyers to folks along with their meals.

“Some of the people who use Meals on Wheels may rent, but many own their homes, and it may be hard for them to pay their energy bills,” Yacovone said.

Ron Stancliff, a member of the Morristown Conservation Commission, suggested holding an energy fair to get the word out. Craftsbury already has one, he said.

“We should definitely do something when people are really feeling the effects of their energy bills. Maybe in March, when they’re paying off heating bills,” said Marci Young, a member of Morristown’s bicycle and pedestrian committee.

They also discussed ways to remove barriers for low-income residents who may not be able to afford the initial costs of energy-efficiency upgrades, but would benefit greatly from lower energy bills.

Markowitz said there are a few grants for low-income Vermonters to make the change to LED lights and things like low-flow showerheads.

Conversations are continuing about how to get people involved, and the direction the town wants to go to help improve efficiency are ongoing.