The Little City that Could: Burlington’s Quest to be a Net Zero Energy City

Anne Bijur, Greater Burlington RCE - Vermont, USA

Burlington, Vermont, USA - population 42,000

Greater Burlington Sustainability Education Network

Sustainable Development Goals

Global Action Plan

#5 Accelerating Solutions at a Local Level

Burlington’s Energy History

• 1970s - 30MW coal plant, VT Yankee

• 1978 - Biomass plant bond

• 1984 - McNeil plant operational at 50MW

• 1989 - Energy conservation bond, purchase renewable generation

• 2004 - 25% electricity from renewable sources

• 2014 - 100% electricity from renewable sources

• 90% generated locally, 10% Renewable Energy Credits

• 2026 - Net Zero Goal

• including electric, thermal, and transportation sectors

Vermont’s Comprehensive Energy Plan

Goal:

Provide for 90% of Vermont’s total energy needs from renewable sources by 2050

The Good Stuff Video

How did Burlington engage multiple stakeholders?

•City Council and Mayor’s office•Burlington Electric Commission

• Energy Engage• Smart Grid program - 95% of customers have Smart Meters

• Tips on cutting costs, efficiency, and reducing environmental impact

• Plus information on each customer’s individual electricity usage and related carbon emissions

Impacts of 100% Electricity from Renewables

•Combat climate change • Increase market for renewable energy• Financial stability and energy security

•Help businesses meet sustainability goals• Seventh Generation and Burton Snowboards

• Improve public morale

• Educational opportunities for ESD

Related Education Programs

• Sustainability Academy - Charter Elementary School• Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Kids• Education for Sustainability Institute• Burlington Geographic• Vermont Youth Climate Summit• New Masters Program in Education for Sustainability• Sustainability General Education Requirement

What’s Next? Scaling Up to Net Zero

10-year vision:• By 2026, transition Burlington to a net zero energy city across

electric, thermal, and transportation sectors

How?• Customer care to reduce demand - “whole-home efficiency”

• Strengthen grid and generation assets

• Build microgrids

• “Grow Local Energy” program

• Smart City network

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.

Talent will not; nothing is more common than

unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not;

unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will

not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence

and determination alone are omnipotent.

Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933),Vermonter and 30th President of the United States

Thank You, Gracias, Obrigado