| What is Efficiency Vermont? |
Efficiency Vermont is Vermont's statewide energy efficiency utility - the first of its kind in the United States.
| What does Efficiency Vermont do? |
Efficiency Vermont helps Vermonters, statewide, reduce energy costs by making their homes and businesses energy-efficient. We provide technical assistance and financial incentives to help Vermonters identify and pay for cost-effective approaches to energy-efficient building design, construction, renovation, equipment, lighting and appliances.
How does energy efficiency help Vermont? |
- Energy efficiency lowers your energy bills. Energy-efficient actions taken today will lower annual energy costs for an average of 14.5 years.
- Energy efficiency lowers all Vermonters' energy bills. When any Vermonter efficiently uses energy, all of us benefit. Utilities generally need to buy less energy. Associated utility costs don't rise, and everyone's electric bills are lower than they would be without energy-efficient practices. So, all Vermonters experience the financial benefits of Efficiency Vermont's work, whether or not they individually take advantage of energy efficiency services.
- Energy efficiency strengthens Vermont's economy. Most of every dollar spent on energy efficiency stays in Vermont, while most of each dollar paying for power purchases leaves the state. When Vermonters lower their energy bills, more money is available to buy local goods and services. Those dollars stimulate the economy as they are spent several more times before leaving Vermont.
- Energy efficiency protects the environment. By saving energy, we reduce the need for new power, thereby decreasing the air pollution created by power generation.
| What is the energy efficiency charge on my electric bill? |
This is a charge that funds Efficiency Vermont's work. Before Efficiency Vermont was formed, you paid for energy efficiency services in a charge included in your electric rates. When Efficiency Vermont was created, that charge was separated from electric rates and you're now able to see it listed separately on your bill. Each utility negotiated its contribution to the energy efficiency utility based on factors unique to its service territory. For this reason, the size of the energy efficiency charge varies from one utility to the next. |
| Who oversees Efficiency Vermont? |
Efficiency Vermont is administered by Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC), an independent non-profit energy services organization under contract to the Vermont Public Service Board. VEIC is a Vermont-based company that has designed and implemented energy efficiency programs throughout Vermont, and in more than twenty states and eight countries since 1986. Efficiency Vermont's work undergoes rigorous review and verification through an independent financial audit, a savings verification process conducted by the Vermont Department of Public Service and by a legislatively-mandated independent audit.
| How was Efficiency Vermont created? |
Efficiency Vermont was created by the Vermont Public Service Board and the Vermont Legislature in response to a request from the Vermont Department of Public Service, all of the state's twenty-two electric utilities, and a dozen consumer and environmental groups. Before the creation of Efficiency Vermont, the state's electric utilities provided energy efficiency services. Through Efficiency Vermont, all Vermonters, throughout the state, can participate in the same services.
