Local Energy

Energy Independence

Addison County, with a population of only 37,000, consumes approximately 20 million gallons of gasoline, 21 million gallons of liquid fuel, and 490 million Kilowatt hours of electricity each year*.  The majority of the energy that Addison County consumes is imported from outside the county and the state; consequently, many of the expenditures made on energy do not directly benefit the local, or even the state economy.  Moreover, the county’s dependence on imported energy makes it particularly vulnerable to price and supply fluctuations in the national and global energy markets.    

By reducing energy consumption and by creating local sources of renewable energy, communities like Addison County can assert their independence from the global energy market and mitigate the disruptive impacts of rising energy costs.  What is needed in order for Addison County to reduce its reliance on costly, non-renewable, imported energy is not simply a package of technological solutions.  What is needed is a cooperative, community-based effort to rethink and redesign the region’s patterns of energy consumption and the structure of the local economy. 

The process of gaining independence from imported energy is an incredible opportunity for Addison County not only to develop a creative new model for local economies, but also to initiate a broader discussion of the community’s collective vision for the future.  The process is an opportunity for the community to strengthen social networks and encourage community participation in the assessment of community needs, local resources (both natural and human), and community-based solutions.  

(*) Based on Energy Information Administration (EIA) data for Vermont.

Current Initiatives
ACoRN members are involved in several projects related to local energy:

Cooperative, Community-owned Energy Project
The objective of the project is to explore cooperative ways of satisfying Addison County’s diverse renewable-energy needs.  We wish to provide Addison-county residents with improved, affordable access to a wide range of renewable-energy products and services.  Furthermore, we aim to strengthen the local economy by developing projects that employ local residents and that keep dollars that would usually go straight out of state (or out of country) circulating within Addison County.  Most importantly, we wish to develop a cooperative structure for promoting renewable energy that maximizes community dialogue and engagement.  The process of satisfying our local energy needs in a sustainable, collaborative way will empower our community.  Click here to learn more!

Idle-Free VT
Idle-Free VT is a non-profit, grassroots campaign formed in 2006 by Wayne Michaud, Bristol, VT. Its purpose is to raise awareness of unnecessary vehicle idling (idling when parked) in Vermont, and to get an all motor vehicle idle-reduction law enacted in the state.

Idling causes respiratory illness, contributes to global warming, wastes fuel, damages engine components, causes noise pollution and is illegal in certain instances and in some locales.

Idle-Free VT seeks to achieve its goals through media exposure, legislative lobbying, petitioning, raising awareness with citizens and businesses, and encouraging local activism and efforts (town ordinances or resolutions and school policies). For details, visit: http://www.idlefreevt.org

Lincoln Energy (OILFREE)
“Organized in Lincoln for Renewable, Everlasting Energy”
OILFREE is a recently-formed group of residents in Lincoln that is working to attain the old town shed on the New Haven River in order to turn the site into a micro-hyrdo project.  OILFREE plans to turn the old shed, also know as the Grist Mill Site, into a retro-fitted “energy center” where local residents can come to see demonstrations, get information on renewable energy options for their homes, and perhaps even purchase renewable-energy products at co-op rates.  OILFREE hopes to partner with local planning officials, as its project is directly in line with the Town Plan’s directive to support alternative-energy sources.  OILFREE recently made a presentation to the Lincoln Select Board, and is still in the process of negotiating with the Town for the property and the water rights.

Contact: Steve Buker, surfnturf@madriver.com 


Please browse the  Project Catalog to view other energy initiatives.