Net Zero Energy Burlington VT

Old Spokes Home | Sarah Camille Wilson Jan 21, 2025

Sarah Camille Wilson is the Executive Director at Old Spokes Home in the Old North End of Burlington. Sarah fills us in on their programs that helps make biking accessible to everybody, their Fall Fundo, their new six-week class Mechanics 101, BED's newly increased e-bike rebates, and their annual Kids Bike Bonanza in May when they give away 150 bikes.

Moran, McNeil, and More | Bill Parizo Jan 07, 2025

Bill Parizo, Director of Power System at Burlington Electric Department, shares stories of his 42 years with BED. We go all the way back to the Moran plant and switching from coal to wood chips, the conception and construction of McNeil, BED's new SCADA system, and plenty more. Bill's passionate for his work and the mission of BED are undeniable.

Church Street Marketplace & Downtown – Kara Alnasrawi Dec 17, 2024

Kara Alnasrawi is the Director of Business and Workforce Development for the city of Burlington as well as Director of the Church Street Marketplace. We spoke about the possibilities for the Memorial block, Burlington's commercial sector's support for our NZE goals, mixed-use zoning, and the Great Streets program.

Winooski One Hydro | Jon Clark Dec 03, 2024

Jon Clark is the Power Production Technician at Winooski One Hydro Plant. Jon talks about the history and operations of Winooski One Hydro, the fish elevator, how to start a career in power production, and the effects of extreme weather on the health and operation of the plant.

Vermont Language Justice Project | Alison Segar Nov 19, 2024

During the pandemic, Alison Segar started making multi-lingual videos to share important information with our diverse community. This project evolved into the Vermont Language Justice Project and now creates information videos for a wide range of topics in many languages.

LN Consulting | George D. Martin Nov 05, 2024

George D. Martin is the President of LN Consulting. LN Consulting provides building design solutions focused on health and sustainability, forged in analysis and technology, in collaboration with our clients and the communities they serve.

Property Energy Plans | Krystina Kattermann Oct 22, 2024

In her role as an engineer at Cx Associates, Krystina Kattermann serves as the district engineer for the Burlington 2030 District and conducts energy analysis and project review. Jen and Krystina talk about how BED customers can get a free Property Energy Plan, or PEP, for their property.

CATMA | Sandy Thibault Oct 09, 2024

Sandy Thibault, Executive Director of CATMA (Chittenden Area Transportation Management Association) shares the history of CATMA and its founding members, the CATMA app, programs that help Vermonters get around without relying on automobiles, Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies, and more.

Net Zero Energy and Grid Reliability Revenue Bond | Darren Springer & Emily Stebbins-Wheelock Sep 24, 2024

BED GM Darren Springer and Manager of Strategy and Innovation and CFO Emily Stebbins Wheelock discuss the Net Zero Energy and Grid Reliability Revenue Bond on the November ballot for voter consideration. The bond would fund additional investments in key priorities for our utility and community through the end of this decade.

Vermont Professionals of Color | Weiwei Wang Sep 10, 2024

Weiwei Wang is the co-director of the Vermont Professionals of Color Network. The network's mission is to advance the economic and social prosperity of people of color across the state of Vermont. They also provide consultation services to businesses and organizations.

Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport | Nic Longo Aug 27, 2024

Nic Longo is the Director of Aviation at Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport. Nic joins us today to talk about the many ways BTV is working to reduce GHG emissions as well as other exciting projects on the horizon for our hometown airport.

Nature-Based Climate Solutions | Sam Troast Aug 13, 2024

"Sustainability" is a broad word that can include many things. At BED, sustainability means reliable, cost-effective renewable electricity and moving away from fossil fuels. Sustainability also means making Burlington more climate-resilient by creating and fostering a healthy natural environment for the people and other creatures that live here. In this episode, we learn about the sustainability work of Sam Troast, Nature-Based Climate Solutions Coordinator with the Burlington Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Department, plus Sam's work to protect a group of baby snapping turtles due to hatch in late August.

UVM Sustainability | Elizabeth Palchak May 28, 2024

Elizabeth Palchak, Director of Sustainability at UVM, joined us to talk about UVM's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through decarbonization, operations, govern and people, and academics. She reports on UVM's goals on carbon neutrality by 2030 and the recent launch of the Sustainable Solutions Lab to solve the big sustainability questions ahead of us.

Local Motion | Christina Erickson Apr 30, 2024

Christina Erickson, Executive Director with Local Motion, joins us to talk about the 25-year history of the organization, the Bike Ferry and the bridge over the Winooski River, their state-wide advocacy work, advocating for Safe Routes to School Program including a call for more crossing guards, and more.

Potties With Purpose | Thor Retzlaff Apr 02, 2024

Thor Retzlaff of Wasted joins us for a frank and fascinating discussion about how his company's portable toilet rentals are making the most of human waste. Circular sanitation converts it into fertilizer that is used by local farmers and reduces our carbon footprint.

The Next Generation of Climate Leaders | Lena Stier Mar 12, 2024

Lena Stier is Energy Action Network's Data Manager and Research Analyst. In this episode, we hear about what it's like being a young person in the climate and energy field, including advice to employers on empowering the next generation of climate leaders.

Mayor Miro Weinberger Feb 27, 2024

For our 50th episode we spoke with Mayor Miro Weinberger. He reflects on his Net Zero Energy-related accomplishments over his time in office. He also speaks to what he'd like to see Burlington take on going forward.

Will Clavelle | Business and Workforce Development in Burlington Feb 13, 2024

Will Clavelle, Assistant Director of Small Business Development for the City of Burlington talks about his journey from CEDO to the Department of Business and Workforce Development. This newly created department helped keep many businesses alive during the pandemic and they're continually working toward bringing new businesses into the City.

Plug In America | Ingrid Malmgren Jan 23, 2024

Ingrid Malmgren, Policy Director for Plug In America, joins us this week to talk about the national nonprofit's efforts to transition us away from fossil fuel-burning vehicles. Ingrid has worked to demonstrate the benefits of EVs to consumers, utilities, public health, the economy, the environment, energy security, and the electric grid.

2030 Districts Network | Dave Low Jan 02, 2024

Dave Low, Executive Director with 2030 Districts Network, shares the story of the creation of this organization and the great work they do in leading the effort to create a new model for urban sustainability and shared economic growth.

Sleep Well Recycling | Josh Costa Dec 05, 2023

While working at 1-800-Got-Junk, Josh Costa saw tons of mattresses being sent to the landfill and was inspired to start Sleep Well Recycling. Josh's new business takes apart retired mattresses so they can recycle the component materials and divert 75%-100% of it away from the landfill and over to a recycling center or to McNeil Generating Station.

Building Electrification Institute | Caytie Campbell-Orrock Nov 21, 2023

Caytie Campbell-Orrock from the Building Electrification Institute joins us to talk about their work in helping guide Burlington's work in eliminating fossil fuel use in buildings.

Myti | Bill Calfee Nov 07, 2023

Burlingtonian Bill Calfee has launched Myti, an online shopping platform that aims to provide local alternatives to Amazon and other large online retailers. Working with local retailers keeps the money local and greatly cuts down on shipping and packaging costs and their effect on our environment.

Energy Action Network Annual Progress Report | Jared Duval Oct 24, 2023

Jared Duval, Executive Director of the Energy Action Network, shares the findings of their annual progress report. The report provides an in-depth analysis of where Vermont stands relative to its climate commitments and energy goals.

The 2023 Vermont Energy Burden Report | Kelly Lucci and Justine Sears Oct 10, 2023

Kelly Lucci from Efficiency Vermont and Justine Sears from VEIC join Jen to discuss the 2023 Vermont Energy Burden Report that details the percentage of a household's income spent on electricity, heating, and transportation. Measuring this burden is a powerful way to understand the impact of energy costs across the state, and where energy expenses are highest.

Glavel | Rob Conboy Sep 26, 2023

Rob Conboy from Glavel, a foam glass gravel manufacturer out of Burlington VT, talks about the versatile and lightweight building material.

Micro Mobile Kitchen | Daryoush Khamnei Sep 05, 2023

Daryoush Khmanei shares his story of learning to cook and creating the all-electric Micro Mobile Kitchen vehicle to bring his lunch menu to locations all around Burlington.

Transportation Demand Management | Charles Dillard Aug 22, 2023

Charles Dillard is Burlington's Principal Planner in the office of City Planning. He joins us today to talk about Transportation Demand Management or, the more friendly term, Transportation Options. The goal of TDM is help get people out of cars as often as possible and, for when cars are necessary, making that option more accessible to all of our neighbors.

The Legislative Process | Amber Widmayer & Darren Springer Aug 08, 2023

BED Regulatory Specialist Amber Widmayer and General Manager Darren Springer talk about the recent legislative session. Amber and Darren talk about the progress made on the Clean Heat bill, fee structuring for EV drivers, and how they contribute to the legislative process at both the State and Federal level.

City of Burlington Electric Fleet | Lee Perry & Dave Hammond Jul 11, 2023

Our next door neighbors at the Department of Public Works, Lee Perry (Division Director for Maintenance) and Dave Hammond (City Fleet Manager) join us to discuss the successes and challenges of moving our city's fleet of vehicles to electric.

Latinx In Sustainability | Cristina Garcia Jun 20, 2023

Cristina Garcia is back! This time, she talks about Latinx In Sustainability, an organization she founded out of New York, NY. She talks with us what the group is doing to help underrepresented and under-resourced Latinx communities in an effort to diversify the sustainability workforce.

Vermont Future Fest | Chase Desroches Jun 06, 2023

Essex High School senior Chase Desroches has channeled his passion for sustainability into organizing the first Vermont Future Fest. The festival is taking place in Jeffersonville, Vermont on Wednesday, June 14 at 4:30pm.

Equity In The Community – Ita Meno May 23, 2023

In commemoration of Asian American pacific Islander Heritage Month, we speak with Ita Meno, an Indigenous Islander of the CHamoru diaspora, and BED's first ever Project & Equity Analyst. They bring over a decade of experience working for the City of Burlington (CEDO and the Department Permit & Inspections) to help us bring a fresh perspective to our department's work and to their work with CQ Strategies. Ita is helping us reach all of our customers including those who may not be able to switch to various Net Zero Energy technologies right now.

Biomass in the Big Picture | Adam Sherman & Betsy Lesnikoski May 10, 2023

VEIC Senior Consultant Adam Sherman and BED's Chief Forester Betsy Lesnikoski discuss the harvesting practices we support Private vs. public forests; misconceptions surrounding biomass harvesting; how they support the future of Vermont's forests; and carbon emissions at McNeil Generating Station.

Historic Building Preservation – Mary O’Neil Apr 18, 2023

Principal Planner at the City of Burlington's Department of Permitting and Inspections. Mary is also a historic preservationist and partnered with BED to develop a guide for owners of historic buildings working to make their buildings Net Zero Energy.

CVOEO | Virginie Diambou Apr 04, 2023

Virginie Diambou, CVOEO's Racial Equity Director, speaks about the organization's stated mission to "address fundamental issues of economic, social, racial, and environmental justice" and, specifically, the successes they've had in their weatherization program.

The Soda Plant | Steve Conant Mar 14, 2023

Steven Conant, owner of The Soda Plant complex on Pine Street talks about the history of the Soda Plant, today's diverse assortment of businesses and organizations, and his efforts to reduce fossil fuel usage throughout. Renovations began in 2018 to insulate, weatherize, add heat pump. What's next?

Home Updates and Champlain Housing Trust | Chip Patullo Feb 28, 2023

South End resident Chip Patullo debunks common concerns about heat pumps, shares great advice on how to start weatherizing your house, and he talks about his work with the Champlain Housing Trust.

Building Electrification Ballot Item 2023 | Cristina Garcia and Caytie Campbell-Orrock Feb 14, 2023

Deputy Directors at the Building Electrification Institute and strategic electrification experts discuss the ballot item for Town Meeting Day 2023 concerning a proposed carbon pollution fee for large buildings in Burlington.

Old Spokes Home | Jon Copans Jan 31, 2023

Biking is the most energy efficient way for people to get around. Executive Director of Old Spokes Home Jon Copans talks about their mission to make bikes more accessible and affordable for all Burlingtonians and how Old Spokes Home is helping us achieve our Net Zero Energy goal.

NZE Commercial Upgrades | A.J. Rossman Jan 17, 2023

Local commercial property owner and entrepreneur A.J. Rossman talks about the challenges and opportunities of bringing his commercial office space on North Avenue up to Net Zero Energy standards.

DeltaClimeVT Accelerator | Geoff Robertson & James L. Gibbons Jan 03, 2023

The DeltaClimeVT business accelerator is a Vermont-based program serving startup and seed-stage ventures focusing on climate economy innovation across multiple industries. Geoff Robertson & BED's own James L. Gibbons talk about the successes and opportunities that DeltaClimeVT brings.

CarShare Vermont | Annie Bourdon Dec 13, 2022

Annie Bourdon, Executive Director of CarShare Vermont, talks with us about the history, benefits, and considerations of carsharing in Burlington. In addition to offering an affordable alternative to owning a vehicle, CarShare Vermont's fleet includes electric vehicles. This is a great way for Burlingtonians to familiarize themselves with EV technology and contribute to the City's Net Zero Energy vision.

Learning About Forestry | Nicole Hernandez Nov 29, 2022

Nicole Hernandez left Tennessee and her teaching career during the pandemic to begin a new life with her family here in Vermont. She soon found the Vermont Works For Women Trailblazers program and studied various energy-related trades including forestry.

EV Pizza Delivery | Tony Nguyen Nov 15, 2022

Tony Nguyen drives over 40,000 miles a year delivering pizza for a living and taking road trips with his son. Tony shares his research on how much money he saves driving his Tesla over his old internal combustion engine car. We also discuss EV rebates available to Burlingtonians including Mileagesmart that supports low- and moderate-income Vermonters.

Climate Writing | Amy Seidl Nov 01, 2022

UVM professor and climate scientist Dr. Amy Seidl has written two books on climate change. She talks about adaptation and resilience from an evolutionary biology perspective. How has life adapted to our changing climate and how can we prevent the adverse effects.

Burlington NZE Home | Jeff Padgett Oct 18, 2022

Jeff Padgett is a Division Director at Burlington's Department of Public Works. As a neighbor he has worked to move his Burlington home to Net Zero Energy and away from fossil fuels. We will talk about the steps he has taken in recent years as a homeowner.

Preparing for Winter | Tim Perrin Oct 04, 2022

Winter is not too far off. Is it ever far off in Vermont? So now is as good a time as any to start preparing. Today, we're talking weatherization with Tim Perrin, Manager of Energy Efficiency and Innovation at VGS. Like BED, VGS is an Energy Efficiency Utility with their own staff of energy experts dedicated to helping Burlingtonians find ways to save energy and money.

VEEP | Sophia Donforth Jul 26, 2022

Sophia Donforth, Executive Director at VEEP - Vermont Energy Education Program, talks about their programs that guide K-12 students and teachers in developing a deep understanding of energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy technologies, and climate change. She also discusses the kits and other classroom materials they make available to Vermont (and NH!) classrooms.

Walk To Shop | Debra Sachs Jul 12, 2022

About 90% of people who live in Burlington live within 1,500 steps or a short 15-minute walk of a market. While grocery shopping is a universal task, most people are in the habit of driving to the grocery store. Debra Sachs came by our studio to discuss Walk to Shop, a non-profit program that offers shopping trolleys at cost - or fully subsidized to many Burlingtonians in need.

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