Your Energy Committee in Motion

By Maria Gingras - September 26, 2024

Progress and plans for Williston’s energy future

The Williston Energy Committee is well into its third year, dividing its time serving as an advisory group to the town and performing energy-related public outreach for town residents. 

The seven volunteer members of the Williston Energy Committee include Kevin Thorley (chair), Maria Gingras, Matthew Wood, Kevin Batson, Eric Hillmuth, Michael Lazorchak and Reed Parker (vice chair). Energy and Community Development Planner Melinda Scott provides invaluable staff support and guidance to our committee.

The energy committee spent a significant amount of time in the past year providing input and recommendations on how to prioritize grant funding. This included $1.8 million in federal “ARPA” funding, a climate pollution reduction grant application and $75,000 from the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. 

These grants are designated for different purposes, and the energy committee’s role is to explore ways they could be used to both meet the goals outlined in the town’s Energy Plan and provide the greatest benefits to our residents. 

With a goal of increasing clean, non-fossil fuel energy, the committee provided guidance on a large-scale solar project proposed by Global Foundries, provided input on the energy related elements of the community center scoping study, and reviewed and updated the town’s Energy Plan for 2025.

Over many months, the committee spent a significant amount of time revising the Energy Plan, evaluating whether each goal was appropriate for the town.  Where needed, we made significant changes to better align the plan with the town’s long-term energy goals and to ensure compliance with the State of Vermont Comprehensive Energy Plan. 

As authors of this plan, we recognize that progress will only be achieved through the leadership, innovation and actions of residents, businesses, partners and government entities. The role of local government is not only to educate and inform, but also to lead through example and bring the many stakeholders together. The major areas addressed in this plan are: building energy usage; building energy education; land use; recycling and consumption; renewable energy generation; agriculture; and transportation.

In each of the areas, we have outlined objectives and pathways that will help lead Williston to a cleaner climate future.  With the amended draft of the Energy Plan complete, the next step will be a review by the Planning Commission and ultimately the Selectboard. The document will be made available to everyone in Williston, and we encourage resident input on the plan. 

The energy committee has also been very active in its public outreach role.

The committee had a regular presence at the Isham Farmers’ Market and participated in Green Up Day and Independence Day festivities. These events provided opportunities for the committee to disseminate information on a range of energy topics, including energy efficiency, electric vehicles and energy related rebates, as well as distribute energy efficiency kits to residents.

The energy committee also expanded its original EV Fest into an Energy Fair last fall. That will return this year on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Williston Central School.

As the result of a petition initiated by the citizens group Sustainable Williston, the selectboard has charged the energy committee with investigating a “clean heat standard” for our town. This effort will request input from residents, town organizations and business owners. Please look for informational articles about the proposed standard in the coming months.

Our committee always welcomes public input. We listened to public comment and brought in community organizations and businesses to many of our public meetings during the year.  We would welcome more participation, and we invite any member of our community to join our meetings in person at the Annex or via Zoom. This is your energy committee, and we are always looking forward for the benefit of all residents.

To participate in Williston’s energy future, reach out to your Williston Energy Committee at energy@willistonvt.org or attend a public meeting held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. The agenda for upcoming meetings is posted on the Town of Williston website (www.town.williston.vt.us). For more information, visit: https://www.willistonvtenergycommittee.org.