Vermont Governor Announces over $2.5 Million for Renewable Energy Projects

Investments will fund renewable energy generation across Vermont

April 14, 2009 -- Montpelier, Vt. – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas announced today that the Department of Public Service (DPS) will award $2.57 million from the Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF) for renewable energy projects throughout the state. The goal of the CEDF is to increase the development and deployment of combined heat and power (CHP) technologies and renewable energy generation.

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“I am pleased to announce $2.57 million in grant awards for the development of clean, renewable energy in Vermont,” said Governor Jim Douglas. “As we continue to work hard with our federal partners and energy stakeholders across the state, we have a tremendous opportunity to create greater energy independence for Vermonters. These awards will help us continue to expand our efficiency and renewable energy efforts from funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,” the Governor said.

DPS received 39 proposals seeking $5.3 million in funding, in response to the CEDF grant solicitation issued in January. Applicants submitted proposals for projects in the following categories: Pre-Project Financial Assistance, Small-Scale Systems, Large-Scale Systems, and Special Demonstration Projects. There was a maximum grant award of $100,000 for Pre-Project Financial Assistance, $60,000 for Small-Scale Systems, and $250,000 for all other projects.

The following projects were selected for grant awards:

Pre-Project Financial Assistance: • Biomass-Fueled Combined Heat & Power Project with District Energy Heating System in Brattleboro, Town of Brattleboro: $20,000 • Georgia Mountain Community Wind Project, Georgia Mountain Community Wind, LLC: $75,123 • Troy Hydroelectric License and Feasibility Study Project, Jonathan & Jayne Chase: $48,375 • Montpelier Community Energy System, City of Montpelier: $75,000 • Bolton Wind Power Project, Green Mountain Clean Energy, LLC: $82,700 • Vermont Pellet Works Biomass Cogeneration Feasibility Study, Vermont Biomass Energy Corporation: 25,000 • Rutland Wastewater Treatment Facility Digester Co-Generation Project, Rutland Redevelopment Authority: 25,000 • Sunrise Village Northwind 100 Project, Sunrise Homeowner’s Association: $25,000

Large-Scale Systems: • Camel’s Hump Middle School Solar Photovoltaic Project, Mt. Mansfield Union School District: $250,000 • St. Francis Xavier School Proposal for Photovoltaic Power System, St. Francis Xavier School: $250,000 • Monument Farms Anaerobic Digester, Monument Farms: $250,000 • Shore Acres Farm Pole Mount Photovoltaic System, Shore Acres Farm: $20,000 • Tracking System for Net Zero Building at The Putney School, The Putney School: $221,000 • Rock of Ages Wind Turbine Replacement, Northern Power Systems: $130,000 • Heritage Aviation Solar Photovoltaic System, Heritage Aviation: $20,000 • Shelburne Farms Solar Photovoltaic Project, Shelburne Farms: $250,000 • Joneslan Farms Small Digester, Brian & Steve Jones: $250,000 • GWR Engineering Photovoltaic Colony, Bill & Karen Root: $31,920 • Williams Hill Community Renewable Energy Project, Peter Schneider & Jessica Donavan: $33,250 • Barrett Green Business Building Solar Photovoltaic Installation, Barrett Enterprises: $32,760

Special Demonstration Projects: • Riverside Industrial Center Biomass Cogeneration, Economic Development Group, Inc.: $250,000 • Carbon Harvest Energy – Randolph Landfill Gas-to-Combined Heat & Power with Agricultural Integrations, Carbon Harvest Energy, LLC: $200,000

“This is an exciting time for renewable energy development in our state,” said Robert Dostis, Vice-Chair of the CEDF Investment Committee. “The Clean Energy Development Fund continues to provide Vermonters with the opportunity to undertake smaller, locally owned renewable energy projects that are uniquely Vermont,” he said.

The CEDF was established in 2005 through ACT 74 and is currently funded through proceeds to the state from Entergy. Additional information on the CEDF, including grant solicitation RFPs, the CEDF loan application, and the CEDF municipal technical assistance application, is available in the on the DPS website at: http://publicservice.vermont.gov/energy/ee_cleanenergyfund.html.

Source: Vermont Governor