Energy Committee

Energy Committee Goals

Our objective is to assist Brattleboro’s residents, businesses, organizations and town offices in improving energy efficiency and to help us to achieve the goals of the Global Climate Solutions Act that was passed by Vermont State in September 2020, and then were also adopted by our town in November.

Those goals are:

• At least 26% reduction from 2005 emissions by 2025
• At least 40% reduction from 1990 emissions by 2030
• At least 80% reduction from 1990 emissions by 2050
• Carbon neutral by 2050

We work in partnership with the town’s Sustainability Coordinator Stephen Dotson and with a range of private, government and non-profit groups who share energy and sustainability goals.

What we are working on

• A Focused Community Campaign with the support of Efficiency Vermont, supporting energy-burdened renters and others with resources and opportunities to spend less on energy.
• Supporting Windowdressers community builds of window inserts.
• Planning for outreach to extend the network of electric vehicle charging stations.
• Outreach and education to owners of coal heating systems, in order to make them aware of grants, financial incentives and rebates that make a switch from fossil fuel to alternative heating more affordable. Our partners are Clean Energy Development Fund and Efficiency Vermont.
• Organized and sponsored a panel event 'Making the switch from fossil fuel to wood-based renewable heat' on April 24, 2021. Moderated by Olga Peters with experts on forest economies, renewable heat, and sustainable development in downtown Brattleboro.
• Formation of a local e-bike lending library, in order to help people experience the benefits of electric assist bikes. Our parters are VBikes and Local Motion.
• Defining local standards for the siting of solar panels, in partnership with the Planning Committee.
• Promotion of energy efficiency and sustainability tips, programs, news and educational events on our Energy Facebook page.

Committee Members

The committee has seven member seats and six of those are filled. Three members serve three-year terms, three serve two-year terms, and one member serves a one-year term. The committee generally meets on the second Monday of the month at 5 p.m. on Zoom.

Tony Duncan
Term ending 6/26 

Dave Lewis
Term ending 6/26

Fric Spruyt
Term ending 6/26

Meyru Bhanti
Term ending 6/25

Josh Traeger
Term ending 6/27

Vacancy (3-year term)
Term ending 6/27

Vacancy (1-year term)
Term ending 6/25

How to reach us

For more information, or to join the committee, contact Stephen Dotson at [email protected].

Follow us on our Energy Facebook page.