Editor’s note: This commentary is by John Freitag, a retired dairy farm worker and school facility manager in Strafford who has been involved in local civic and governmental organizations.
It is an inconvenient truth that anything Vermont does regarding climate change is literally symbolic at best. At worst, it exacerbates Vermont’s economic and demographic challenges. This does not justify doing nothing, but it does justify taking actions that build on the strength of the Vermont character and which could serve as a model for others around the country. It also means channeling efforts to national and global coordinated action and working towards electing national leaders committed to addressing climate change. When those in Montpelier are yelled at for not doing enough or when the Legislature considers passing impractical legislation, it feels like a huge misdirection and waste of a very valuable passion and activism.
So what can be done in Vermont? As is so often the case in our brave little state, answers come from the bottom up with citizens taking actions in their own communities. Here are two recent examples of actions spearheaded by the Thetford and Strafford energy committees that could be replicated and serve not only to change the “us vs. them” dynamics regarding climate change but have practical and immediate impact. Included as well is a voluntary funding mechanism to help with implementation of these projects without tax increases or taking resources from other needs.
First, the Thetford and Strafford energy committees have teamed up to participate in the Maine nonprofit “WindowDresser” program. Earlier this fall teams of volunteers measured windows of homes of those seeking to button up better for the winter. From Jan. 4-9, groups of dozens of volunteers and program participants finished assembling 246 energy saving interior storm windows at the North Thetford Church. Each insert on average saves 10 gallons of heating fuel each year. The project has, thanks to grants and donations, subsidized the cost for income qualifying members of the community.
Second, Thetford and Strafford Community Solar (TSCS) sponsored building a solar array with 185 kilowatts of community power. This project is a partnership of residents in Thetford, Strafford and Norwich, a commercial farm and the town of Thetford. Some 187 shares in the project were sold for $2,782 per share with 85% of the power going to reduce individual Green Mountain Power meter readings. It is a much more affordable way for those who wish to invest in solar power than building an individual array. The remaining 15% of the power produced goes to the town of Thetford, which is able to obtain the power at a discounted utility rate. Renewable energy credits associated with the project go to GMP, which retires them.
The TSCS and similar projects in Randolph and Royalton provide an example of how renewable energy can benefit individuals and communities rather than large investors and are of a size and scale that can fit comfortably into the Vermont landscape.
These programs have the ability to be replicated throughout the state. The organization Energize Vermont has sponsored a pilot project with WindowDressers in Glover and is offering to help others organize a project in their community. Funding to help with income sensitivity and set-up costs could come from voluntary carbon offsets from those of us wishing to lessen our carbon footprint. A state fund, similar to the voluntary wildlife fund could be established to which people could make donations. A simple online carbon offset calculator could used to determine voluntary contributions.
If indeed anything Vermont does is symbolic at best, why not put our energy here to changing the dynamics on this difficult issue and setting a positive example for the rest of the nation. There is the possibility, as shown by these projects of the Thetford and Strafford energy committees, of taking immediate action in our communities to reduce greenhouse gases, and, at the same time, changing people’s lives for the better. These types of locally based voluntary actions might also help change some people’s minds about the importance of dealing with climate change as well as their perception of climate change activists, something that would be helpful not only here but across the country.
