Green Mountain Power Announces Energy Costs Agreement
Green Mountain has partnered with Global Foundries to provide the Essex based plant with a stable energy cost plan that will span the next several years. This energy cost plan is one of several measures the States is taking to keep the future of the Business local. The plants located in neighboring New York State see much lower energy costs on average, in part because the Malta facility operates on a different grid.
“This agreement is great news for GF and great news for Vermont because it provides stability and predictability for the company, while ensuring our customers continue to receive cost-effective and highly reliable energy,” said Mary Powell, President and CEO of Green Mountain Power. “The positive economic impact of GF’s presence in Vermont is significant, and we feel strongly that we, along with our state partners, should continue to do what is reasonable and responsible to support keeping these important manufacturing jobs here in Vermont.”
From Garbage to Green Energy: New Program Taps Energy Produced by Landfill
The University of Vermont has become one of the first organizations to join Vermont Gas’ Renewable Natural Gas Program. The renewable natural gas is created from methane produced by the organic materials found in landfills.
“While the program currently sources RNG [Renewable Natural Gas] from the Quebec landfill, Vermont Gas plans to add new local sources – including a farm digester in Salisbury, Vermont, as well as a new RNG plant in Canada. Farm digesters that break down manure and food scraps offer the added environmental benefit of reducing phosphorous runoff into Vermont’s streams, rivers and lakes.”
The program allows customers to purchase RNG for some or all of the organizations natural gas needs. The program, which began in April 2018, is the first natural gas utility with a retail RNG offering.
US Government Affairs Updates
(as reported by ASHRAE.org,)
- Senate and House Conferees Reach Agreement on Minibus Spending Bill that includes DOE Funding
- Senate Commerce Committee hearing on STEM Legislation
- EPA asks Supreme Court to drop case on HFC rule
- OSHA provides guidance on respirable crystalline silica in construction
- California passes legislation on refrigerants
- New York state to phase out hydrofluorocarbons by 2024
Refer to the following link for additional information on the above topics:
https://vtdigger.org/2018/09/19/green-mountain-power-announces-energy-costs-agreement/
Greg Deutscher
GAC Committee Member