Leading Burlington, Vermont businesses and institutions have committed over 3.6 million square feet to participate in the Burlington 2030 District, a private-public partnership working to reduce building energy consumption, water use and transportation emissions 50% by 2030. By establishing the economic case for the necessary reductions, the District helps property owners increase asset value, reduce operating costs, and create a healthier community.
Burlington is the seventeenth city to join a national network of 2030 Districts including Seattle, San Francisco, Pittsburg, Ithaca and Cleveland. In April 2017, local non-profit Vermont Green Building Network (VGBN) became the non-profit sponsor organization of the newly established Burlington 2030 District. “VGBN sees the Burlington 2030 District as an important tool in the achievement of VGBN’s mission,” stated Jenna Antonino DiMare, VGBN Executive Director. “We are excited to support this new initiative in Vermont and are committed to extending the lessons learned and benefits beyond Burlington as momentum grows.”
The Burlington 2030 District initiative has strong support from both the private and public sectors, including the Burlington’s municipal electric utility, Burlington Electric Department (BED), as well as Vermont Gas.
“Burlington Electric Department’s 2017-2018 Strategic Plan includes a ten-year vision to transition Burlington to a ‘net-zero energy city’ across electric, thermal and transportation sectors by reducing demand, realizing efficiency gains, and expanding local renewable generation, while increasing system resilience,” stated Chris Burns, Director of Energy Services at BED. “The 2030 District program is uniquely designed to help BED with this vision.”
The District was spearheaded by a highly dedicated Steering Committee, which include several local architects, City of Burlington employees, property owners, community and professional stakeholders, and representatives from the University of Vermont. Some of the first property owners/managers to participate in the program include City Place Burlington, Champlain College, Burlington School District, Farrell Real Estate, Nick and Morrissey, and Main Street Landing.
“Main Street Landing prides itself for the work we have done over the years to help preserve our planet – being a part of the Burlington 2030 District puts our hearts and more importantly our actions right where they need to be – living our values,” Main Street Landing’s CEO Melinda Moulton states. “It is a terrific program and we all benefit at the end of the day.”
The Burlington 2030 District project is open to all businesses in the City of Burlington, and intends to offer a residential program within three years. The District provides a framework to advance, inspire and unify climate change efforts, and the Vermont Green Building Network is pleased to support this important initiative.
About VGBN: Founded in 2002, the Vermont Green Building Network is a non-profit working with the building industry to achieve its vision of fostering green building in Vermont, thereby contributing to a thriving local economy, a healthy environment, and high quality of life in all communities. To learn more, please visit: www.vtgreenbuildingnetwork.org or call Jenna Antonino DiMare at 802-735-2192.
To learn more about the Burlington 2030 District, please visit: www.2030districts.org/burlington
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