Plan Unveiled for Burlington to be a Net Zero Energy City by 2030
Burlington Vermont is already the “First city in the nation to sources all energy from the renewable sources in 2014”. Mayor Weinberger announced that he is going to lead the town a step farther to achieve net zero status – this means the city will have a carbon-neutral footprint in heating and ground transportation. Energy efficiency has been a priority and Burlington has already implemented projects to decrease total energy consumption. The city has financial incentives designed to benefit all ratepayers. Incentives will be announced in the coming months. They will steer towards electric heat pumps, commercial district heating plants, more efficient bus transportation, and more convenience for electric cars.
https://vtdigger.org/2019/09/10/plan-unveiled-for-burlington-to-be-a-net-zero-energy-city-by-2030/
Energy Economist Urges Climate Action
Dr. Claudia Kemfert is a leading energy economist who visited Burlington on Wednesday, 9-4-2019 to discuss the need for significant investment in curbing climate change. During her talks she set out a policy road map for renewable energy and public transportation plans she believes would dramatically cut back on carbon emissions. The Vermont Council on World Affairs hosted Dr. Kemfert’s presentation at the ECHO Center. The Council’s executive director Patricia Preston said, “Our senator is supporting the green new deal, I thought it was important that Vermonters are educated on the topic”. Kemfert emphasized that is it essential to make sweeping climate policies affordable for everyday taxpayer, pointing to investments in renewable energy and public transportation as key steps. “The cost of inaction is much higher than the cost of action” said Dr. Kemfert. She pointed out the mounting cost of damage caused by extreme weather around the world.
https://www.mynbc5.com/article/energy-economist-urges-climate-action/28919623
US Government Affairs Updates (as reported by ASHRAE.org, 9-12-2018 partial topics listing)
- UNIDO and ASHRAE Members Choose Winners of the “Innovation Challenge in Space Conditioning” Competition
- ASHRAE Submits Letter to U.S. Senate Committee
- Atlanta Chapter Provides Resources to State and County on Legionellosis
- House Passes Energy Efficient Government Technology Act
- House Small Business Committee Hearing on Growing the Clean Energy Economy
For detailed information on the above topics, visit the ASHRAE Government Affairs Update website page at:
https://www.magnetmail.net/Actions/email_web_version.cfm?publish=newsletter&user_id=ASHRAE&message_id=17377615
Mallory Fischer
GAC Committee