MONTPELIER. Feb. 2, 2012. On March 21st citizens from across Vermont will participate in the state’s first “crowd-sourced” film on Vermont Energy Independence Day. This is a film project about everyday acts of carpooling, insulating an attic, changing a lightbulb, or buying local. It’s also about sweeping changes found in Vermont’s homegrown renewable energy industry, the new comprehensive state energy plan, and grassroots actions of 100 town energy committees.

Anyone with a camera and image to share of Vermont’s energy transition can participate. Video clips uploaded to a YouTube channel will be organized and edited into a feature length film by Bright Blue EcoMedia.

“Crowd-sourced films are part of the rapidly changing world of digital information and storytelling,” says Vic Guadagno, Director and Producer. “The world is changing, and social media and video storytelling is driving this transition. We’ll weave together one cohesive story, as told by hundreds of individuals. We are encouraging café’s to become Community Story Centers with musical events so Vermont musicians can create the soundtrack”.

Schools, towns, businesses, and other groups are signing up to film their energy stories, host energy independence events, and network via Facebook and other social media sites leading up to March 21st.

“Vermont is emerging as a global leader in the inevitable transition away from nonrenewable energy resources, and towards a more decentralized, renewable, safe energy future.” says Executive Producer Jon Erickson, Professor and Managing Director of the University of Vermont’s Gund Institute for Ecological Economics. “We hope to capture the diversity of ideas needed to achieve greater independence, and show the world what one small state can do.”

Erickson’s undergraduate ecological economics class is helping to build a “story corps” to seek out the “must film” energy stories across the state. Bright Blue is also networking with a range of other non-profit groups to recruit participants, including Vermont Natural Resources Council, Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN), 350 Vermont, Vermont Public Interest Research Group, Renewable Energy Vermont, and Vermont Green.

“We have long been interested in helping to make the case for greater energy action by pulling together the stories that will inspire more people to act,” says Johanna Miller of the Vermont Natural Resource Council and coordinator of VECAN. “This film project will help create a common voice, and celebrate the grassroots energy actions sweeping the state.”

The social media campaign and film is being facilitated and produced by Bright Blue EcoMedia, the nonprofit media company that produced the regional Emmy-award winning series “Bloom” (see bloomthemovie.org). Additional information about Vermont Energy Independence Day can be found on the project’s Facebook page (facebook.com/vteid) and website (march21st.org).

Contact Vic Guadagno, Bright Blue EcoMedia
Phone: 303-247-1800  vic@brightbluemedia.org

Contact your Representatives and Senators in support of these important bills.

Energy Disclosure Bill Context
Building Energy Disclosure addresses the inability of the current marketplace to assign a value to energy efficiency in a home or building. Although energy-efficiency improvements have a tangible value in terms of energy savings and reduced annual costs, they are currently invisible in the marketplace because there is no widely used, consistent metric or method for quantifying and disclosing this information (as there is with the MPG sticker on a car). The success and fairness of such disclosure will depend in part on universal use of the same simple scoring method for each property.

S.143 Bill as Introduced

H.497 Bill as Introduced

Hearing Schedule:

The Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee Hearing
10:00 am
Wednesday, Febuary 1, 2012
State House, Room 8 in the State House.

The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee Hearing
10:30 a.m.
Friday, Febuary 3, 2012
State House, Room 41 (top floor, turn right at the top of the stairs)

Contant your Legislator

Vermont State House


115 State Street, Montpelier, VT

Energy Disclosure Legislation Benefits:

Building Energy Disclosure will provide the following direct benefits:

•    Sellers can see the value of their investment in energy efficiency improvements captured in the resale value of their buildings, encouraging investment in such improvements; and
•    Buyers may be able to consider building energy performance and related operational costs as part of their purchase decision, potentially rolling the cost of any needed improvements into long-term mortgage financing at the time of purchase.

Building Energy Disclosure will also provide the following indirect benefits:

•    Lending institutions will have a reliable method for considering energy costs as part of their underwriting criteria;
•    Appraisers will have a tool for incorporating energy performance into building valuation; and
•    Contractors will see an increase in demand for energy efficiency improvements due to their value in the marketplace, supporting job creation and economic development.

Building Energy Disclosure will also provide the following statewide benefits:

•    It will help Vermont meet our statutory goal to improve the energy efficiency of 25% of our housing stock (or 80,000 homes) by 2020, saving Vermonters money and reducing greenhouse gases.

We are looking forward to seeing many of you tomorrow evening at the joint legislative hearing on energy!

When: Feb. 2, 2012 •  6 to 8 p.m.

Where:  Room 11 at the State House in Montpelier.

This is a unique opportunity, and it’s really great that there are many of you planning to attend.

We wanted to follow up with some important logistics and more information, especially for those of you planning to testify.

1. First, don’t miss the chance to have fun and connect with each other at an informal gathering from 5-6 p.m. in Room 10 (across the hall from Room 11). Please come a little early, enjoy some snacks, get caught up with other fantastic energy committee leaders and talk about what’s happening under the Golden Dome.
2. Second, for those of you on the agenda to testify, please know that you will have limited time, 3-5 minutes max. The hearing is only two hours long and lawmakers hope to leave room for discussion at the end. Please keep your comments focused. One suggestion: Pick one or two of your greatest success stories to date and then let them know your ideas of policies, programs or projects you would like them to support or consider to further advance your work at the local level. Again, being concise and as specific as possible would be helpful.
3. Lastly, there is a lot happening on energy issues right now at the State House.  Here’s a quick update on a few of the big issues…

§  The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee is considering a bill – H.468 – that would create a mandatory Renewable Portfolio Standard for Vermont. An RPS is a market-based tool that could help catalyze far more renewable generation in Vermont, in the region and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In the current draft of the RPS bill there is also a provision that would expand Vermont’s successful Standard Offer program, which helps create needed financial incentives for moving small-scale, distributed generation renewable projects forward in Vermont. Many advocates contend that if Vermont is serious about advancing renewables in the state and in the region, a mandatory RPS is essential. Check out VNRC’s Testimony on the RPS to learn more here: http://www.vnrc.org/program-initiatives/education-and-advocacy/vnrc-rps-testimony-january-2012/
§  The House and Senate are considering bills that would require the disclosure of the energy fitness of a home before it’s sold. These bills are aimed at transparency and consumer protection and could result in some important benefits, such as stimulating efficiency investments via the marketplace, creating Vermont jobs and helping meet the state’s energy efficiency goals. Find out far more about this issue and read the House bill here: http://www.vnrc.org/about-vnrc/update-on-building-energy-disclosure-working-group/
§  Also, with federal ARRA funds drying up and an ongoing need to improve the efficiency of Vermont’s homes, especially for low-income Vermonters, finding an ongoing funding source for weatherization in Vermont is key. There is a conversation underway at the State House about how to fund this important work. Increasing the state’s ‘gross receipts tax’ is one option some are considering. Read far more about this important issue, why it matters and thoughts on a potential funding source here: http://www.vnrc.org/program-initiatives/education-and-advocacy/a-quick-summary-of-vermont-s-weatherization-program/
§  The House passed a bill — H.475 — that makes important changes to Vermont’s net-metering law. It’s expected to make it through the full Legislature fairly easily. Stay tuned!

That’s just a quick snapshot of what’s happening on energy-related bills this session at the State House. At the bottom of this email, find a full summary of energy-related bills. The information above might lend a little context to comments from some of you tomorrow or provide an update for those who can’t make it.

Again, please let us know if you need any more information about the hearing tomorrow evening. Information that we sent previously with all the details and more suggestions is also below.

Look forward to seeing many of you tomorrow and thanks to all for everything you do!

Johanna Miller, VNRC Energy Program Director and VECAN Coordinator
Nancy Notterman, Energy Coordinator for the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission

ABOUT THE HEARING

The House and Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committees, the committees who take the lead in policy-making related to energy and climate action, know that there are many Vermonters doing real, important work on these issues at the local level and they want to hear from you.

In fact… Tony Klein, Chairman of the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee said it plainly today in a short, video update on energy happenings from his perspective. Check that update out here: www.vnrc.org.

What’s the deal with the February 2 meeting? The goal is to have your efforts as town energy committees more deeply inform the kinds of solutions being crafted at the state level to advance good policies this year… and beyond.

That’s why this special joint hearing is happening. Legislators want to hear:
§  What are your goals as an energy committee?
§  What do you think the state’s goals should be regarding energy and climate change (and why)?
§  What are you doing that’s working? What are some projects, activities, or actions you’ve been wanting to do but haven’t been able to accomplish?
§  Where do some of your challenges lie? What’s making it hard for you to accomplish your goals?
§  What kinds of state policy or programs are needed to support your efforts?
§  What kinds of state policy or programs are needed to support energy and climate action in general?

These are the kinds of things that lawmakers want to hear from you. You don’t have to answer all of them, but be specific! Tell your story. And think about how what you are doing (or want to do) that would be better supported by state policy or programs.

You can also expect to get an update from lawmakers on what’s happening under the Golden Dome on energy this session.

The HOW:
§  To get on the agenda to speak at the hearing simply email me at jmiller@vnrc.org or call me at 802-223-2328 ext. 112. (For efficiency’s sake I am working with the committees’ assistants to put the list of town energy committee leaders together.)
§  Come prepared with a summary of what you’d like to say. Be honest, brief, to the point and be prepared for questions that legislators might have.
§  Just like in committee, you will speak directly to legislators, so you will face them to share your stories and ideas. Other committee members and interested folks will be in the audience, so it will be a good opportunity for others to hear what you are up to.

Additionally:
We hope to use this as an opportunity to connect energy committee leaders to each other. So, come early! Join us at 5:00 p.m. in Room 10 at the State House for some snacks and peer-to-peer networking before the hearing.

Interested in carpooling with other folks who might attend? Look to find carpool options through the GoVermont web site at: www.connectingcommuters.org.

If you have any questions or want to run what you hope to say on Feb. 2 by me or Nancy Nottermann of CVRPC, please contact us at: jmiller@vnrc.org or Nottermann@cvregion.com.

Thanks for all you do! Please let me know if we can expect to see you or other members of your committee on Feb. 2. Hope so!

Best,
Johanna

P.S. Several bills have been introduced aimed at expanding opportunities for renewables and promoting energy efficiency. Two of the bigger bills are aimed particularly at promoting renewables, including a bill aimed at creating a mandatory Renewable Portfolio Standard in Vermont and a bill that would make important changes to Vermont’s net metering law. (Find bill numbers and a link to more information on these bills below.)

2012 ENERGY-RELATED BILLS FOR INTRODUCTION

House Bill Summaries

H.0464            Hydraulic fracturing wells for natural gas and oil production.  This bill would formalize the existing Agency of Natural Resources Underground Injection Control (UIC) Rule on underground injection wells, which provides that no natural gas or oil well proposed for use in hydraulic fracturing will be permitted if injection into the well results in movement of contaminating fluid into underground sources of drinking water.  Relying on this standard, the bill would prohibit the issuance of a permit for discharge into an injection well for recovery of natural gas or oil on the basis that permit applicants cannot effectively show that contaminating fluids used in hydraulic fracturing activities will not threaten underground drinking water aquifers.

H.0468            A renewable portfolio standard and the Sustainably Priced Energy Enterprise Development Program.  The general purpose of this bill is to continue to advance Vermont toward a clean energy future by promoting renewable power in the state. The first main component of this bill aims to establish a mandatory state renewable portfolio standard (RPS), which would require Vermont utilities to have 80 percent renewable energy portfolio by 2025.  Secondly, the bill proposes certain revisions to the existing Sustainably Priced Energy Enterprise Development (SPEED) Program, the most notable revision regarding the expansion of the state’s successful Standard Offer Program by removing the existing cumulative capacity ceiling on plants that may receive the standard offer.

H.0475            Net metering and definition of capacity.  The effect of this proposed bill would make it easier for Vermont residents to go solar by lifting the existing cap for registration of net-metered projects from 5KW to 10KW and by exempting residential installations from the 4% statewide cumulative capacity cap on net metering systems.  The bill would also affect electric companies by requiring them to base their calculation of additional credits for solar net metering systems on the standard residential energy rate charged by the company to the majority of its residential customers.

H.0476            Transparency in billing for electric power.  This bill would increase transparency in electric power bills by requiring distribution utilities to include an itemized poles and wire charge (which allocates by kWh the cost of building, operating, and maintaining the provider’s transmission/distribution system, and includes any regionalized transmission costs paid by a provider) and a power charge (which allocates by the kWh the cost of power generated or purchased by the provider to distribute directly to retail customers and includes capacity, energy, and the cost to transmit power).

Senate Bill Summaries

S.0141            Prohibiting commercial construction on certain state and conserved lands and to public service board approval of wind towers and turbines.  If enacted, this bill would prohibit most commercial construction (including wind turbines and towers) in Vermont’s parks, forests, wilderness, and conserved lands. The bill also proposes to amend the public service board’s criteria for issuing a certificate of public good for wind towers and turbines by requiring a more in-depth aesthetic impact analysis of proposed projects.

S.0143            Disclosing building energy performance and promoting thermal energy efficiency.  Under this bill, upon the request of a prospective buyer, an owner of a building would be required to disclose the building’s energy efficiency performance, which would be calculated by one or more energy disclosure tools to be developed by the department of public service. The bill would also require the department to study and recommend different funding and financing options to promote thermal energy efficiency and improve the overall energy fitness of Vermont buildings.

S.0148            A pilot project on expediting development of small hydroelectric plants. This proposed bill requires the commissioner of public service, in consultation with the secretary of natural resources, to enter into a memorandum of understanding with FERC for a pilot project that would make it easier for small hydroelectric power projects and conduit hydroelectric facilities to receive exemptions under FERC’s licensing requirements.  The terms of this project would mirror those of a similar project that commenced in August 2010 between FERC and the State of Colorado (through the Governor’s Energy Office) to streamline and simplify authorization of small-scale hydropower projects in that state.

S.0156            Energy, environmental costs, and appeals to the public service board.  This bill would require a full evaluation of environmental costs and GHG emissions reduction measures to be incorporated into determinations for electric and natural gas energy planning and permitting in the state.  The bill also proposes the addition of two members to the public service board to be involved only with appeals to the board of secretary of natural resources decisions that specifically concern renewable energy and telecommunications facilities.

S.0158            A charge for storage of spent nuclear fuel.  This proposed bill would establish an annual charge of $2 million dollars per dry cask (an individual container containing spent nuclear fuel, plus all associated components and systems) and a separate annual charge (to be determined by the commissioner of public service) for the storage of spent nuclear fuel in storage pools located in the state. These annual charges are to be paid to the commissioner of taxes no later than June 1 of each year of storage, and the funds received will be distributed among the following entities: the electric efficiency fund, the general fund, the education fund, and the Town of Vernon, and the clean energy development fund.

S.0170            A renewable portfolio standard, the Sustainably Priced Energy Enterprise Development Program, and climate change.  This bill is the Senate version of H.0468 (see above). The differences in this bill include the increase of the existing 50 MW capacity of the current SPEED program to 100 MW, the achievement of net-zero carbon emissions from energy consumed in the state by 2025, and institution of a climate change education campaign.

S.0214            Customer rights regarding smart metering. This bill would require the public service board to develop terms and conditions governing the installation of wireless smart meters. The terms and conditions would include the requirement of electric companies to obtain a customer’s written consent before installing a wireless smart meter on his/her property, and to remove, upon the request of a customer and at no cost to the customer, a previously-installed wireless smart meter.

S.0220            Exempting solar generation on flat roofs from municipal bylaws.  This proposed bill would also make it easier for Vermonters to go solar (see also H.0475 above) by exempting solar generation on flat roofs from municipal land use regulations.  The exemption would include the installation, operation, and maintenance of any device that, using solar energy only, heats water or space, or generates electricity.

S.0229            Utility bill payments. This bill would require the public service board to regulate the payment of utility bills with respect to companies that are subject to the board’s jurisdiction. The board would have a deadline of November 2012 to establish an order regarding the payment of retail charges online or by means of a credit or debit card.

S.0247            Establishing the Vermont green trust. This bill proposes the establishment of a public body, headed by a five-member board of government-appointed directors, and charged with the provision of financing and investment in clean energy throughout the state. The trust’s funding would include revenues generated by participation in various regional and state energy-related programs; taxes, fees, or assessments imposed/collected from spent nuclear fuel storage; eligible federal funds available to support clean energy projects; gifts, grants, donations.

To read these bills and learn more, you can search for any of these bills here:

http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/billtext.cfm?Session=2012

Net metering allows residential electric customers to generate their own power using small-scale renewable energy systems. Any excess power that customers produce goes back to their utilities, essentially running their electric meters backwards. Customers then get a credit on their electric bill.

The bill allows a simple 10-day registration process for systems with capacities up to 10 kilowatts. Last year, that process was only available for systems half that size. Typical home solar systems are around 7 kilowatts. This bill also clarifies how utilities should calculate the extra six cents per kilowatt hour that people with solar net metering systems receive for the excess energy they produce.

Rep. Margaret Cheney, D-Norwich, who is vice chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, said the bill will help clarify the benefits of net metering and simplify the process for slightly larger systems. It will also promote more renewable energy generation, she said.

“It is having real results,” Cheney said. “More small renewable energy systems are going up as a result of net metering laws.”

Vermont has allowed net metering since 1998, when it passed the first law allowing the practice.

The current law also addresses a controversy over net metering that has persisted over the years. It requires the Department of Public Service to issue a report analyzing whether and to what extent net metering systems are subsidized by other retail electric customers. The report is due Jan. 15, 2013.

Utilities and some ratepayers have raised concerns that customers with net metering systems are being subsidized by other customers.

Eric Werner, general manager of Hardwick Electric Department, said the small utilities in particular have concerns with net metering and the costs that are shifted to standard ratepayers.

The issue, Werner said, is when net metered customers provide power back to the grid because they produce more than they use, they receive retail rates for it. For example, a retail rate for electricity could be 18 cents per kilowatt-hour, but the utility pays 10 cents. The gap between retail and what the utility pays the generators of large-scale electricity is what pays for things like infrastructure upgrades and running the utility. Net metered customers, Werner said, can then use the grid but not contribute to the costs to maintain it.

“A lot of the issue is that net metered customers are getting an advantage, and costs are shifted to other customers,” Werner said.

Another issue, Werner said, is that installing things like solar systems generally requires a few thousand dollars, so the people who are getting the advantage generally have more money. For smaller utilities in particular, he said, net metering requires a large amount of time for staff to calculate the billing for customers with these renewable energy systems.

Cheney said the counter-argument to the subsidy argument is that all the small distributive generation provides a benefit to the entire state by alleviating utilities from having to make more capital investments. She said the study required in the new bill will hopefully put the debate to rest.

“If there does turn out to be a cost to ratepayers, we’ll do something about it,” Cheney said.

The bill still needs to go through a third reading and pass through the Senate.

Correction: This story originally stated that this year’s net metering bill will give people with solar net metering systems six cents more per kilowatt hour of excess solar energy. It will actually clarify how utilities calculate that extra six cents.

As I commented on the White House ‘Wall’: This is great that you announced a federal investigation into Wall Street. Now … to see you actually DO the right thing for the AVERAGE person in this country and make the wealthy oil companies give back to our country and pay their share of taxes and return the unfair rebates that the IRS has given them. Absurd! If they paid their fair share, our country would definitely be on the road out of debt – and one of the worst thing is that they most of them aren’t willing to do the fair thing and that they even accept the ‘bennies’ they have been receiving!

Why do they even NEED all of their trilions of $? 
It won’t do them one bit of good if you don’t ‘G.E.T.’ one VERY important thing you sure got wrong in your speech, which is regarding CLEAN ENERGY! Clean energy does NOT include offshore drilling, gas fracking or coal. This will only keep the big oil companies happy. I have to consequently question your sincerity about Clean Renewable Energy, which should be one of your top concerns, along with getting our CO2 emissions. If this does not get under control by 2017, the IEA has warned the world that we are in BIG trouble – it will be too late to turn things around. Life cannot survive at 129º as Pakistan endured this past summer – take note of just this winter’s warmth in the whole northern part of our country and lack of snow. Snow means water for the rest of the year for places like Reno, NV, from Lake Tahoe – for example…

We need your help, Mr. President! 
And while we are on the subject – Where is that Solar that was supposed to be installed back on the White House, any way? Why have we not heard any more about that?

One more concern, Dear Mr. Obama: What are your plans for reducing our emission levels from the two worst offenders: Transportation and leaking under-insulated buildings that are wasting fossil fuel and sending the emissions off into our atmosphere, just adding to the problem?  These should be on your list of top infrastructures to change immediately – or at least working on feverishly…  No problems – only solutions!

In case you missed it or would like to watch last night’s ‘State of the Union Address’ , here it is:

Governor Peter Shumlin is thinking big. His comprehensive energy plan calls for Vermont to receive 90% of its energy from renewable sources by 2050. This is an amazing goal for our state. If implemented, this plan would make the Green Mountain State a leader in clean energy and an example for the rest of the country. Vermont can do this — but the governor needs your support.

Tell Governor Shumlin and key lawmakers that you support this comprehensive energy plan.

It is a bold plan. In addition to the 90% renewable goal for 2050, the governor wants our state to get 75% of electricity from renewable sources within 20 years. We can’t let this opportunity get away. We need to speak out and let the governor know that he has the support it takes to make this happen.

Show your support today for a greener Green Mountain State!

Investing in renewable energy means cleaner air. It means fighting climate change. It means more jobs for our state. This is a historic chance for Vermont to lead the charge towards a cleaner, greener future.

As Vermonters, let’s tell the governor that we stand with him to do tough things and get this done. Let’s show him that momentum is on the side of clean energy. Our future depends on it.

Thanks,

David Van Deusen
Conservation Organizer
Sierra Club

Tell Governor Shumlin: We Support Your Plan!

TAKE ACTION TODAY!

How you can help:
1. Share this with your social network using Facebook and Twitter.
2. Copy and paste the following into a new email to friends:
Dear Friends,
I just told Governor Shumlin that I support his bold plan to move Vermont to 90% renewable energy by 2050. This will make Vermont a leader in clean energy and green jobs. We need to show the governor he has the support he needs to make this a reality.

Send a message of support today!

Find out more and send your message here: http://www.greenenergytimes.org/?p=3801 What: Press conference to launch VT Fossil Fuels Freedom Campaign.
When: Weds, January 25th, 10:00am
Where: Cedar Creek Room of the Vermont Statehouse, Montpelier

There have been several forums and workshops that have occurred as of late on PACE (the forum at the Vermont Law School in October as well as the workshop that took place recently at the annual ‘Vermont Energy and Climate Action Conference.’) This email is a follow up to those events, as well as simply ensuring that those of you who have expressed an interest in PACE or who are actively moving the program forward are aware of some important resources available to support your efforts. This email summarizes some of those resources as well as notes some potential follow-up items for your consideration, including:

2012 Town Meeting:  If your town has not approved establishing a PACE district, we encourage you to organize now to get an item on the 2012 Town Warning.  We have developed some sample language for you to include on your Town Warning, which can be found on the WIKI site at http://pacevermont.wikispaces.com/. We have also developed a guidance document to help you understand the steps in approving a PACE district for your town. That document is attached, though it can also be found on the WIKI site. This has to happen quickly though! January 26th is the last day to get an article on the Town Meeting Day warning…

The WIKI Site:  VEIC has established a PACE “WIKI” site that contains a number of important guidance documents and information about implementing PACE in Vermont.  [A “WIKI” site is merely a webpage that is designed to provide easy access to information for a targeted audience.]  On this site, you will find:

•       On-line forum: Do you have a question about PACE?  Check out the WIKI site to get your questions answered or see what other questions have been raised and addressed.

•      Guidance documents:  We have a number of guidance documents posted on the WIKI site, including a step-by-step guide on “How to Implement PACE in Your Community.

•      Sample ballot language: If your town has not already approved the establishment of a PACE district, we have posted two versions of sample language for your consideration to place on your Town Warning for the 2012 Town Meeting Day.

A Letter of Support for the Program from Vermont Treasurer Beth Pearce: The State Treasurer has been a great supporter of the PACE program. At the October forum Treasurer Pearce outlined the economic and environmental benefits she believes the PACE program can bring to Vermont. To offer her perspective both on the benefits she believes the program will bring as well as the safety mechanisms in place to protect Vermont communities, Treasurer Pearce has also put together a general letter of support of the program. Find that letter on the WIKI site as well and please share it with local officials and other community members to offer that important perspective.

NOTE: All communities that have signed up for the Quick Start Program are granted access to the WIKI site and should have received guidance on how to gain access. To gain access to the WIKI site, click on http://pacevermont.wikispaces.com and enter your ID and password. If you haven’t already set up an account, you will first need to go to http://pacevermont.wikispaces.com/space/join and set one up. You will then receive an e-mail authorizing you. Please contact Peter Adamczyk at VEIC (802-540-7631 or padamczyk@veic.org) if you have any questions about gaining access to the WIKI site.

New PACE law:  As many of you are aware, the Vermont Legislature made changes in 2011 to the PACE program and strengthened the law.  In light of this new legislation, it is unclear whether towns that had previously approved the establishment of a PACE district need to re-submit new language again at their 2012 Town Meeting. In light of this new legislation, towns that had previously approved the establishment of a PACE district may wish to consider whether to re-submit new language again at their 2012 Town Meeting. If so, please use the language we have provided on the WIKI site.

Moving Ahead with PACE implementation: If your town has already approved establishing a PACE district, you are ready to move ahead with implementation. There are series of questions that you will need to answer and then have approved by your selectboard.  These are all spelled out on the “PACE Program Description and Guidelines.” This can be found on the WIKI site in the “Sample Documents” section.

Again, we hope the “Guide to Implementing PACE Districts in Vermont Communities” serves as a useful step-by-step resource for helping those interested in moving a PACE program forward. If you have any questions, please go to the WIKI forum as the first step in getting those questions answered or feel free to contact me at 802-223-2328 ext. 112 or jmiller@vnrc.org or reach Peter Adamczyk at VEIC at 802-540-7631 or padamczyk@veic.org.