Town Energy Modernization Project

As stated by the Town Plan, the Charlotte Energy & Climate Action Committee (CECAC) has proposed a project to transition town buildings from fossil fuels to clean sources while striking a balance between cost, financial benefit, environmental benefit, regulatory limitations, and aesthetic impact. The proposed project over the long-term saves hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs, reduces more than 2 million pounds of CO2 emissions, and stabilizes the cost of energy for 25 years.

This webpage will be updated as the project progresses. Currently, based on regulation changes, federal energy policy changes, and estimates received from multiple vendors for various approaches, an optimal configuration has been selected by the committee. The financial models have been updated with these estimates as well as actual data collected from energy providers to the town. The results are very encouraging, and the proposal will move to the selectboard to determine the next appropriate steps.

We set up an automated Q&A that is pretty good at answering most questions about the proposed project. It's not perfect but answers most questions accurately. Try it out if you have a google account, and if you get an answer that doesn't quite answer what you needed or something doesn't sound right, feel free to contact a committee member directly.

Project Q&A

Project Press

Request For Bids

Why Charlotte? Why Now?

Fiscally Responsible

With incentives and specific loan terms, it is possible to implement a solution that will not raise taxes yet gain long term benefit of fixing the town energy costs for the next 25 years. Inclusive in this proposal is new and efficient Heating and Cooling equipment to replace or extend the life of existing aging systems.

Control Our Future

By switching our source to Town owned solar, we reduce and fix the cost per unit of energy over the lifetime of the array compared to Green Mountain Power. The additional capacity generated can be used to switch from fossil fuel-based systems to high efficiency electric heating and air-conditioning.

Environmentally Sound

At current consumption rates, the town buildings will produce 3.12 million pounds of CO2. All of that can be eliminated with the exception of what is optionally kept in place for backup.

Keep Our Spend Local

It is estimated that 2/3rds of each energy dollar spent on fuel in Charlotte goes to entities outside of Vermont and much of it outside the country. Nearly all of that would be brought back into our local and state economies, and the savings go directly to taxpaying residents.

Proposed Project

After reviewing current regulations, incentives, the 2024 VT Act 179, and town plan energy, aesthetic, and fiscal goals, the Town engaged a consultant using a grant awarded to CECAC to evaluate options for balancing these tradeoffs. The resulting proposal is to increase the solar powered footprint by 80KW, by placing arrays on town properties (CVFRS, Town Hall, Senior Center, Town Garage, and Optionally Thompsons Point) that have certificate of public good (CPG's) filings in place to take advantage of grandfathered net-metering rules and rates. While the town already produces solar on the town garage, it requires about 15 KW more to meet the existing electric draw. The complementary component of the proposed modernization is to upgrade aging furnaces and air conditioners to dual purpose energy efficient cold weather heat pumps. This equipment upgrade will require the remaining 65KW of low-cost solar electric energy, however fuel needs would be near zero and for emergency only.

The draft proposal business case, if implemented, would save the town approximately $702K and eliminate 3.12 million lbs. of CO2 over 25 years assuming all incentives can be exercised, a 10yr green municipal loan secured at 2.25%, and implemented within the time permitted by Federal Tax Incentives. If this deadline cannot be met, the project remains viable however the financing terms would change and benefits reduced accordingly.