VCEM is a program that is put on by Efficiency Vermont and is being coordinated by VECAN. This is the second year for the program. It will be run in Rutland County by the RRPC and there are at least 15 communities participating in the county. In this project, teams of trained volunteers do energy assessments of local homes and replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents (CFL), install faucet aerators and low flow shower heads, and insulate hot water pipes and electric water heaters. These home energy assessments are not to be confused with home energy audits, which are much more thorough and are performed by licensed contractors. The homeowner will also be left with information on how to take the next step with weatherization, insulating, having an energy audit done, purchasing Energy Star appliances, etc. They will be given brochures on the many cost saving opportunities available to do everything from weatherization to renewable energy projects from the different agencies in the area, such as NeighborWorks, BROC, Efficiency Vermont and others.

Other projects the Wallingford Energy Committee (WEC) is planning to undertake in the near future include a student CFL sale, educational programs at the elementary school, a Low Carbon Diet group (see http://www.empowermentinstitute.net/lcd/index.html), and energy audits on some of the municipal buildings. Long term ideas include obtaining grants to make municipal buildings more efficient, solar and hydro projects to produce power for municipal buildings and a biomass facility for cogeneration of power and heat.

Our agendas and minutes are posted on the town website. Our monthly meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM at the Town Hall. The public is always invited to attend or to give suggestions to the committee.

Committee Members: Tim Chila – Chair, Doug Blodgett – Secretary, Bert Jones – Treasurer, Joyce Barbieri, Tony Esposito, Ralph Nimtz, Ed Safford, Ken Welch, Jay White.