Beaming with pride, as she should, South Burlington City Councilor Emery is thrilled about the new developments happening in City Center. She appreciates the hard work of the volunteer boards, committees and staff who did an amazing job to help make Market Street safe (re: traffic and emergency vehicles), inclusionary of the people who live […]
A Fun Low Carbon Option – Amtrak Service Returns to Vermont, July 19th
We are fortunate to have two Amtrak train services return to Vermont. The Vermont Rail Action Network (VRAN) is encouraging everyone to discover the train as a preferred way to travel over the car or airline. And we have good reason to celebrate the return of Amtrak as it connects our communities and offers a […]
Designed to improve both mobility and access to services for transit-dependent Vermonters, Net Zero Vermont, Old Spokes Home and Green Mountain Transit were funded to hire community representatives to help inform service providers on how best to engage diverse communities in use of low cost, low carbon options (i.e., electric bikes, vanpools, shopping trollies and the bus).
For more details on funded projects, see https://vtrans.vermont.gov/public-transit/mti
Misses opportunity for faster charging stations “Transportation is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in Vermont and passenger vehicle use makes up the largest share of those emissions,” said Governor Scott. “Increasing the use of electric vehicles is a critical strategy for Vermont to reduce emissions from the transportation sector and to achieve its […]
Middlebury Transportation Task Force Moves Action Steps Forward
At its January meeting, the Transportation Task Force of Middlebury prioritized a list of action steps to improve transit ridership and bike infrastructure, launch a bike/bus arts campaign and ensure the new train station is connected to other transportation modes. The task force is sponsored by the Vermont Council on Rural Development, Middlebury officials, and […]
The 2017 Way to Go! School Challenge Results
We’re excited to announce that 9,371 students, faculty and staff participated in the Challenge from 48 schools across the state. That’s a 23% increase in school participation from last year! Thirty-eight schools achieved at least a 50% participation rate to be eligible to win this year’s big prize — an AllEarth Renewables Solar Tracker. While […]
Montpelier Advances to Final Round in National Competition
The Georgetown University Energy Prize recognizes top performing communities for increasing energy efficiency, reducing municipal and household energy budgets. Georgetown University announced that after competing for nearly three years, 10 communities have advanced to the final round of the Georgetown University Energy Prize (GUEP), a national competition to rethink the way America’s small- to medium-sized […]
NZV Project-Partner Way To Go! Recognized
We are thrilled that the Way to Go! Challenge was recognized as a ‘Renewable Energy Innovator’ by Renewable Energy Vermont (REV) at the REV2017 conference this month. Reducing carbon pollution from transportation sources is a key strategy for achieving our goals. The Renewable Energy Innovation Award recognizes a project, company, organization, or individual contributing innovative, […]
Towns, Advocates, & Utilities: Achieving Total Renewable Energy Together
Deb Sachs was the moderator at the Renewable Energy Vermont Conference, October 2, 2017. Two cities, one goal: become net zero communities by 2030. Burlington, now with 100% renewable sourced electricity, tackles the thermal and transportation sectors. Team Bridges, the winning design team in Net Zero Vermont’s Design Competition, will present a holistic transportation based […]
Net Zero Event: Team Bridges – Rethinking Montpelier and Beyond
A discussion hosted by the Gund Institute for Environment at UVM and Net Zero Vermont will explore sustainable urban planning, design, energy and public engagement to advance Montpelier’s efforts to go “Net Zero” by 2030, and to forge closer ties between regional stakeholders. The winners of the Net Zero Vermont’s Montpelier 2030 Design Competition are […]
Trish Sears Joins the Board & New Advisors, Julie Campoli & Liz Vogel
Trish Sears Trish is Director, Co-Founder, President & CEO of Northeast Kingdom Tamarack, Inc. (NEKTI) Consulting. NEKTI specializes in forming strategic partnerships to leverage funding and other resources and in representing corporations, projects, programs and organizations to donors, state, the U.S. and foreign governments, multilateral organizations, and the media. Trish is a member of the board of […]
Sustainable Montpelier Coalition Formed
Dan Jones formed the Sustainable Montpelier Coalition (SMC) to carry forward the local momentum from the Sustainable Montpelier 2030 design competition. This new not-for-profit organization aims to be “a catalyst” — to be the bridge between the public and private organizations in town. Sustainable Montpelier Coalition is applying for a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) designation from the […]
Vermont Schools Are Making a Difference! Join Us!
The 2017 Way To Go! School Challenge is back! All K–12 schools in Vermont are encouraged to get on board to battle carbon pollution. On behalf of the Fall Challenge Coordinating Team, thank you for helping us spread the word. Please encourage your K-12 school to sign-up online now. They’ll get the tools they need […]
Budd RDC’s make a stop in Montpelier and Barre
The Budd RDC passenger cars stop in Montpelier and Barre before heading to their new temporary home in Websterville, Vermont. Thank you all for sharing in this experience to restart passenger rail in Vermont. It really Feels like we’re going “Back to the Future”! Thank you, Mayors Hollar and Lauzon for climbing aboard. More Photos
From Renewables to Rails: David Blittersdorf & Deb Sachs
The Vermont Conversation with David Goodman Debra Sachs is co-founder and executive director of Net Zero Vermont, which promotes carbon neutral solutions for communities, including Montpelier. David Blittersdorf and Sachs talk about their work to move to a sustainable future and the promise and controversies around the expansion of renewable energy. (July 26, 2017 broadcast)
Rail Boosters Celebrate Progress Toward Expanded Service
BURLINGTON — Railroad officials and advocates on Wednesday praised state lawmakers’ efforts to expand passenger service in Vermont. Northern Vermont is on the cusp of implementing two significant rail expansions: restoring passenger service to downtown Burlington, and extending Amtrak’s Vermonter line to Montreal. At a news conference at Union Station, Brad Worthen, vice chair of […]
Could Commuter Rail Be Coming To Vermont?
Vermont’s Seven Days newspaper reports on aspirations to bring commuter rail to Vermont. Mentioned in the story is the support for more passenger rail expressed during the SUSTAINABLE MONTPELIER 2030 Design Competition. “Among the ideas of first-place winner ‘Team Bridges’ was to connect a 20-mile corridor of five municipalities — Waterbury, Middlesex, Montpelier, Berlin and […]
Elizabeth Courtnery Commentary on VTDigger
We thank Elizabeth Courtney for her eloquent commentary published by VTDigger. Elizabeth highlights the challenges to building a sustainable Montpelier and the “potential to become a positive and uplifting model for the nation.” Read the commentary at https://vtdigger.org/2017/03/08/elizabeth-courtney-chance-lead-energy-independence/
And The Winner Is…
TEAM BRIDGES WINS SUSTAINABLE MONTPELIER 2030 DESIGN COMPETITION. We announced the winning design team, “Team Bridges,” a collaboration of 12 professionals from 10 companies and organizations. The announcement was made at a Statehouse news conference by Net Zero Vermont Co-CEOs Deb Sachs and Dan Jones. About Team Bridges Team Bridges is a purposeful blend of 12 professionals from 10 […]
January 7 Team Presentations For Design Competition
Net Zero Vermont Inc. is proud to announce we will be hosting public presentations by the top five finalist teams for the Sustainable Montpelier 2030 Design Competition on Saturday, January 7, 2017 from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. in the Pavilion Building Auditorium. Seating is limited and advance registration is encouraged for this free event. Event Format […]
Finalists Announced For Sustainable Montpelier 2030 Design Competition
We’re pleased to announce the finalists for the Sustainable Montpelier 2030 Design Competition. After votes by Montpelier residents, workers, and visitors at our Main Street gallery and online, along with a review by a technical committee, the twenty entries showcased have been pared down to five finalists. “In my many years offering technical reviews and serving […]
Technical Review Panel Announced
Announcing the Technical Review Panel for the SUSTAINABLE MONTPELIER 2030 Design Competition. An expert panel comprised of professional architects, engineers, planners, and developers will choose the finalist to receive the $10,000 prize. The panel of 7 will review the design competition top entries against contest goals and feasibility. Each of the panelist contributes their own expertise […]
Voting Begins for Montpelier 2030 Design Competition
MONTPELIER, VT – Public voting begins for the Net Zero Vermont Sustainable Montpelier 2030 Design Competition. Montpelier’s residents, workers, and visitors will be able to vote for their top five concepts starting Monday, October 3rd at 10:00 a.m. for the future of Vermont’s capitol from among 26 entries received from around the world. Free ice cream […]
Montpelier 2030 Design Competition Draws International Interest
MONTPELIER, VT – Net Zero Vermont, Inc., is excited to announce that 27 design teams from around the world have entered the Sustainable Montpelier 2030 Design Competition. In addition to 13 Vermont design teams, entrants include firms from Sweden, Japan, Hong Kong, Iran, Canada, and California. Montpelier residents, workers, and visitors are invited to review […]
Comment and Guest Post Guidelines
GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING COMMENTS AND GUEST BLOG POSTS We’re glad to have you here! In a continued effort to engage the community, Net Zero Vermont encourages readers to comment on blog posts and news stories. The following guidelines are meant to encourage relevant, meaningful conversations about the future of Montpelier, Vermont. GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING COMMENTS […]
VSECU features Sustainable Montpelier 2030 Design Competition
Our very own Dan Jones, co-Executive Director and Project Manager of Net Zero Vermont, wrote this blog post featured by VSECU. Here he explores how the Sustainable Montpelier 2030 Design Competition seeks to inspire lasting climate change. Imagine a Better, More Sustainable, More Fun, Future Are you worried that climate change will bring unforeseen trouble into […]
Featured on VPR
On the morning of August 20th, 2016, Vermont Public Radio ran a story on our Sustainable Montpelier 2030 Design Competition. Check out their article and the audio for their show. A Montpelier Nonprofit Looks To Change The City’s Car Culture | Vermont Public Radio The City of Montpelier has set a goal to become the country’s first […]
Times Argus Op Ed
This Times Argus Op Ed examines the impact of cars as contributors to climate change, and how Net Zero Vermont seeks to reclaim the environmentally unsustainable parking lots that have resulted. Imagining a sustainable future : Times Argus Online Just a few days ago, Net Zero Vermont announced an engagement effort to help Montpelier reach its laudable […]
Burlington Free Press Story
The Burlington Free Press wrote a great article about the announcement of our design competition. Check it out, we feel they did a good job summarizing our initiative. VT group offers $10K prize for city re-design A hefty prize awaits the winning design for transforming Montpelier’s downtown parking lots into a showcase of urban living, […]