Projects 2010

Completing construction on the CBMS Solar Array

14.8 kW Solar Array Completed on Crossett Brook Middle School: In late July, 2010 construction was completed on a 14.8 kW solar array on Crossett Brook Middle School (CBMS). The array streams data live on the web, and a video monitor in the school’s entrance shows exactly how much energy is being created at any given time.  Data streamed to the web is also being used for a variety of student solar projects.  Go to http://live.deckmonitoring.com/?id=crossett_brook_middle_school to view the live solar data from the CBMS array.

2.7 kW Solar Array to be Built on Thatcher Brook Elementary School:  LEAP raised $18,000 to fund construction of a 2.7 kW solar array on Thatcher Brook Elementary School (TBPS). The array will stream data live on the web, and a video monitor in the school’s entrance will show exactly how much energy is being created at any given time. Data streamed to the web is also being used for a variety of student solar projects.

Town Energy Inventory: LEAP has begun gathering data needed to develop a town-wide energy inventory, and we are developing a list of verifiable measures to allow us to track our progress across a number of criteria, to conduct town contests with other Vermont communities, and to determine in 2020 whether LEAP has indeed become the greenest community In Vermont.

Bikers depart on a 5-mile tour of Waterbury

Initiated Effort to Develop a Waterbury Bike/Pedestrian System:  LEAP has partnered with State Rep. Sue Minter to initiate and coordinate a town-wide effort to develop a safe, accessible, and successful Waterbury bike/pedestrian system in coming years.  Members from more than 16 local organizations are participating in meetings and conference calls and we have formed six project teams whose members have begun making progress in various areas.   Please contact LEAP if you would like to be involved!

Waterbury Selected as a VPIRG Solar Community:  Waterbury was selected by VPIRG as one of only two communities in Vermont.  From September to December 2010, VPIRG will canvas the area and give various public presentations in an effort to double or triple the current number of solar installations in Waterbury, Moretown, and Duxbury by the end of the year.  VPIRG has negotiated discounts with experienced solar installers, bundled government incentives and arranged private financing to offer the best deal available to Vermonters who want to get their electricity from the sun. Through community organizing, VPIRG will help citizens in Solar Waterbury learn about solar power, help residents decide if solar is right for them, arrange for a free site visit, and walk consumers through the entire process.  LEAP is supporting VPIRG in spreading the word about this initiative.  To learn more about Solar Waterbury visit http://www.vpirgenergy.org/

Held 1st Waterbury Bike, Walk & Breakfast Day: On Sunday September 26, 2010 LEAP hosted an event for 55 local residents who met at Rusty Parker Park at 8:00 a.m.  Some 35 people biked a 5-mile loop around Waterbury along River Road.  Others walked a two-mile loop along the Cross Vermont Trail by the State Complex.  Everyone returned to Rusty Parker Park at 9:00 a.m. for a free breakfast provided by LEAP, and for networking and socializing.   This was the first of many events LEAP will host to help gather local support for the development of a safe and accessible bike/pedestrian system in town.

CBMS students with their renewable energy project at Solar Fest

Began Collaborating with Local Teachers: Gave presentations to all 100+ teachers at Crossett Brook Middle School and Thatcher Brook Primary School about LEAP and the two new solar arrays. Many teachers are now involved in solar and renewable energy projects.  Hundreds of children in the two schools will discuss and/or conduct projects regarding solar power and renewable energy this year.  On September 24, 2010 all CBMS students were involved in a school-wide Solar Fest which highlighted many student solar projects.   LEAP is hoping to plan a similar day at TBPS in October or November with the help of Vermont Energy Education Program and Rich Rivers, a local Waterbury solar installer and LEAP Board member.

4th Annual LEAP Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Rally: The event was held on Saturday, April 10, 2010 from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm at the Crossett Brook Middle School gym in Duxbury, VT. The fair featured almost 50 exhibits.  Some 325 attendees met energy efficiency, renewable energy, and localvore experts and were able to get their questions answered. They learned how to save energy, reduce their fuel bills, and shrink emissions. The event also helped celebrate Crossett Brook Middle School’s $50,000 ‘Solar on Schools’ grant from Senator Bernie Sanders who also attended the event.  Guests also learned about energy efficiency and renewable energy projects by local students.  (LEAP expects more than 400 attendees at our 5th LEAP Energy Rally scheduled for April 9, 2011.)

LEAP Website and Social Media:  Our Social Media Guru, Nathan Winters, has designed and built LEAP’s beautiful new website, and he is also helping LEAP spread the word about our work through Twitter, Facebook, an E-Newsletter, and other social media efforts.   If your organization needs web or social media assistance you should contact Nathan at nathan.andrew.winters@gmail.com 

Upgrading Street Lights to LED:  LEAP helped Waterbury submit a final application for $49,500 from EECBG (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants) to help Waterbury upgrade its street lighting to much more energy efficient LED technology. The grant was accepted and lights are being upgraded.

EECBG Energy Efficiency Grants:  LEAP helped Waterbury submit a final application for $49,500 from EECBG (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants) to help Waterbury upgrade its street lighting to much more energy efficient technology.

Crossett Brook Middle School Solar Project: CBMS was awarded one of ten $50,000 Solar in School grants from the Vermont Department of Education, and received an additional $27,000 in state incentives.  LEAP and CBMS have sent out a Request for Bid to solar vendors and we expect that by August we will have constructed a 14.8 kW solar array on Crossett Brook Middle School.  The school will also have a video monitor in its front hall showing live data streamed from the array, and many classes will have included renewable energy in their curriculum.

Spoke at REV (Renewable Energy Vermont) Conference:  Duncan McDougall (LEAP Chair) was invited to be a panelist at the 2010 REV Conference in Burlington and he spoke about the work of Waterbury LEAP and other town energy committees  in Vermont. (See Duncan’s 10 Steps to Start and Maintain an Active Town Energy Committee)

1% for the Planet:  Waterbury LEAP was approved as an environmental  non-profit that can receive funds from corporate members of 1% for the Planet.  See http://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/en