Vermont is the greenest state in the US
In the state of Vermont, companies and citizens have reduced energy costs by $31 million which makes it the greenest state in the US. Energy ratings and financial incentives are the main drivers behind the process
Vermont has been recognised for its sustainable responsibility several times, e.g. as the greenest state in the US by Forbes Magazine. The main reason for the recognitions is the state’s ability to make citizens and companies take active part in reducing the energy consumption in buildings.
‘Efficiency Vermont’ is the state-wide provider of energy-efficient services – the first of its kind in the US. The organisation provides technical assistance and financial incentives to Vermont households and businesses to help them become more energy efficient. Since Efficiency Vermont started operating in 2000, it has succeeded in reducing energy costs for companies and citizens by $31 million and saved:
- 1504 million cubic feet of natural gas
- 7 million gallons of oil
- 2.3 billion gallons of water
- 2.65 million tonnes of CO2
Examples of Vermont’s efficiency
An example of the state’s efficiency is the Vermont Home Energy Rating programme launched for citizens in 1997. The programme provides energy assessments of houses, obtains contractor bids for the upgrade measures, oversees contractor’s work, conducts a post-construction energy rating and prepares documents to secure an energy efficiency mortgage. A Home Energy Rating is carried on in two ways:
- Help consumers qualify for energy-efficient mortgages
- Make consumers qualify for the Energy Star Homes program
