Solar

Solar for All Program Terminated

by cgrotke | State News

The Clean Energy States Alliance has a statement about the (at-least-for-now) termination of the Solar for All Program, of which Vermont was participating:

“The Environmental Protection Agency’s careless and unlawful termination of the Solar for All program destroys a critical effort to expand electricity production at a time when the country desperately needs more power.

The 60 Solar for All awardees—mostly state government agencies—have spent the past two years working creatively and diligently to design and roll out cost-effective low-income solar programs in both red and blue states. Ending this popular bipartisan program squanders both their hard work and valuable federal dollars.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Delayed Western Ave Bridge Project Much Better; Won’t Happen For Years

by cgrotke | Town News
brattleboro selectboard feb 18 2025

VTrans came back to the Brattleboro Selectboard, granting their wish to pay less for the bridge on Western Avenue. The board was happy, but wouldn’t sign the documentation quite yet. And there is also the matter of VTrans not being able to build the bridge or even put the bridge project on their construction schedule yet. Maybe by 2027 or 2030? No one knew what the future might bring. It will be a great bridge someday, though.

There was some debate over the Town Manager’s interpretation of the audit findings. He saw proof of a solid financial situation going forward; others weren’t so sure since the document didn’t make such a characterization and hadn’t taken into account decisions made last fall, after the audit was finished.

Brooks Memorial Library gets a new roof and a new rooftop solar system, and taxpayers get a video about reducing property taxes. 

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – February 18, 2025

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hear about the FY24 audit findings at their next regular meeting. They will also learn that the Western Avenue bridge replacement (good ol’ 54) is back on track with the Town paying a 5% share instead of 10% of engineering and construction costs. Brooks Memorial Library will get a $200,000 rooftop solar system, the board will be told about a video, and will approve historic markers being placed on town properties.

You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation. Plus, you can ask questions or comment on any issue on the agenda. 

New Community Solar Array

by Integrated Solar | Business

Brattleboro, VT – Integrated Solar Applications (ISA) has announced a limited opportunity to join a new community solar array entitled “ISA Exit 1 Solar”. The array is located on 13.8 acres owned by the company, on Canal Street in Brattleboro, serviced by Green Mountain Power. It will provide direct access to renewable energy, enabling members to reduce their electricity bills and carbon footprint, without having to install or own a solar array on their property.

Brattleboro Planning Commission Agenda for Monday, December 6, 2021

by planning | Town Plan

1. Agenda Amendments
2. Announcements

6:10 -6:15 Approve Minutes of November 1, 2021

6:15 – 6:45 Discussion of RTM Article to stabilize municipal tax of specific solar & other renewable energy plants
Potential Motion: To approve the Memorandum to the Selectboard recommending the insertion of its stated article and recommending certain criteria for stated tax stabilization program.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – December 15, 2020

by cgrotke | Town News

There is a monster on the agenda for the next regular meeting of the Brattleboro Selectboard. It’s a channel monster grinder in need of some love and attention.

The board will also discuss non-monster items, such as the 2nd reading of the rental housing ordinance, a radio tower agreement, a new solar site designation, and more of the FY22 budget. You can bring up other items not already on the agenda, be they monster or non-monster, during public and monster participation.

State Leadership for Clean Energy Development Has Become Increasingly Important Since 2015

by Not Signed In | Sci-Tech

Montpelier, VT (November 5, 2019) — Returning Champions: State Clean Energy Leadership Since 2015, a new report from the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA), highlights the essential role that states are playing to develop and implement effective policies and programs. The report describes the range of strategies and initiatives that states are using to grow clean energy markets, and it provides readers with a concise overview of clean energy trends at the state level.

The report’s four thematic chapters emphasize the most important issues that the states have been focusing on over the past few years:

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Opioid Lawsuit May Include Local Pharmacies

by cgrotke | Town News

A Brattleboro Selectboard quartet decided Tuesday night to proceed on a path toward suing opioid manufacturers and providers. The board didn’t see any need to spare local pharmacies from potential litigation, and wasn’t sure about suing local doctors.

The board continued their discussion of municipal broadband, bought winter salt and sand, heard a report on progress at WSWMD, and got a final financial report from retiring John O’Connor.

WRC Awards Red Clover Commons Funds for Rooftop Solar from Renewable Energy Grant Program

by Not Signed In | Home & Garden

The Windham Regional Commission is pleased to announce $66,000 from the third round of the Windham County Renewable Energy Program has been awarded to the development of rooftop solar on the Red Clover Commons. The Energy Committee received three strong applications and chose this project as it best met program priorities. The installation will serve the elderly and disabled affordable housing development which is managed by a consortium of non-profit entities including Brattleboro Housing Partnerships, Housing Vermont, and Red Clover Commons Limited Partnership.

Selectboard Meeting Notes:  Brattleboro Municipal Property Tax Rate at $1.2762, Project CARE Community Cookout Announced

by cgrotke | Town News

Taxes are going up, as they always seem to do. The Brattleboro Selectboard adopted the FY19 tax rates for property owners that were approved by Representative Town Meeting representatives earlier this year.  The $14.8 million budget includes both the essential items suggested by the Selectboard as well as some optional extras added in by the representatives.

There’s also a new community collaboration that you can be a part of. Project Care is a new effort in Brattleboro to help addicts recover and do well.

And, in case you are curious, setting the tax rate during a heat wave calls for casual attire.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Solid Waste and Parking Budgets Approved, Homelessness and Energy Discussed

by cgrotke | Town News

Groundworks Collaborative gave the Brattleboro Selectboard a report on the seasonal overflow shelter. They admitted they don’t have the resources to develop a temporary work program, though a new effort by Youth Services might be able to pull it off, perhaps by fall. Youth Services might get a new name, too, but that’s for another time.

The board adopted the FY19 Solid Waste and Parking Budgets, but left some decisions about parking meters, apps, and credit cards for a later discussion. Progress on energy audit matters was detailed, citizens pressed for more to be done, the skatepark is close to the fundraising finish line, grants have been applied for, and citizens were appointed to various Brattleboro committees and boards.

Also, two mentions of John Allen.