Home 
Site Index 
Contact Us 

Energy

In communities in our region, and throughout Vermont, the cost of energy represents sizeable amount of overall yearly municipal expenditures. For our towns, energy use has an obvious financial impact. How we utilize energy, in all its forms, is of concern to everyone in the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Region. Energy use impacts us financially, environmentally and even culturally.

In the past decade we have seen the cost of energy rise dramatically primarily in response to the increasing cost of oil. Because our use of petroleum and its byproducts is so prevalent throughout society, these growing expenses may have serious impacts on our communities in the future. In addition the financial, energy production and use has a distinct impact on our environment. Transportation, the largest single user of energy in the United States, creates pollution which adds to the rising level of greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere, thus contributing to climate instability through global warming. Outdated energy generation plants suffer failures that release toxic pollutants into our water system and create public health hazards. In order to reduce these we must plan for a future that does not depend so heavily on fossil fuels, encourages energy conservation and promotes alternative energy use.

The Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission is committed to working with our communities on their energy planning efforts. We can assist towns with drafting of energy or climate action plans, the implementation of energy conscious land use regulations and the creation of internal policies aimed at reducing municipal energy use. As a regional organization, we are involved in the review of proposed alternative energy generation facilities, and generally try to support them whenever they appear to be appropriate for the community in which they will be located.

For more information on our energy programs, please contact Chris Sargent, AICP at csargent@trorc.org or at 802-457-3188 ext. 12.

Toolbar

Energy Funding

Energy Planning

Renewable Energy

Energy Planning Resources