2021 LEAP Projects
Here’s a sample of LEAP’s 2021 activities:
Waterbury LEAP members assisted the Planning Commission in the writing of the Waterbury Town Plan. The plan was adopted at the end of 2018, and it included 52 Action Items that it was recommended the town pursue. At the 2020 Town Meeting, residents voted to create a committee to help carry out those action items. The Waterbury Energy Plan Committee was created with 10 representatives from the Select Board, the Planning Commission, Revitalizing Waterbury, EFUD, Efficiency Vermont, Waterbury LEAP, and the community. LEAP’s Duncan McDougall serves as the committee’s chair. The group meets quarterly. This year the meetings took place via Zoom.
In May, 2021, the Waterbury Town Energy Plan Committee and LEAP partnered with Efficiency Vermont to provide Free Energy Walkthroughs to Waterbury businesses. We arranged to have an energy expert from Efficiency Vermont visit Waterbury businesses to give them free 60-90 minute in-person energy walk-throughs to help them save energy and money. Fourteen local businesses requested that Efficiency Vermont's Customer Engagement Manager, Paul Grenier, tour their premises and conduct a top-to-bottom look at the businesses’ energy use. Paul inspected the systems that drew energy — lighting, heating, and cooling systems, and special equipment. He also inspected a building’s level of insulation and air sealing and suggested improvements based on projected savings, cost-effectiveness, health, and safety. Paul provided each business with a prioritized list of recommendations for steps you can take to save energy, information about financial incentives and custom rebates to minimize project costs, and a plan of action to start saving energy. Efficiency Vermont is now using the outreach model designed in Waterbury to provide energy walkthroughs in other communities across Vermont.
On August 18 LEAP hosted our 4th LEAP Electric Vehicle Fest. The gathering drew a record turnout of 225 attendees. The free event was held at the Crossett Brook Middle School. People practiced social distancing. Masks were worn, and much of the event took place outside. Attendees learned about the latest EV’s from Drive Electric Vermont’s Dave Roberts, and were able to learn about the 18 electric vehicles that were parked outside including Teslas, Mustangs, Volts, RAV4s, Subarus, LEAFs, and Prius Primes. The gathering included free pizza, drinks, and Ben & Jerry's ice cream, and the chance for local residents to speak to many local electric vehicle owners about their experiences owning EVs, how much the cars cost, and how much money and fuel the owners are saving.
During 2021, LEAP wrote articles to help share information on ways local residents can reduce their energy usage and save money. We published them in the Waterbury Roundabout.
On November 13 LEAP held a free Button Up Weatherization & Home Heating Workshop at the Steele Room in the Municipal Complex. Attendees at the free event learned how to tighten up their home to save fuel and money. A guest speaker from Efficiency Vermont gave an excellent presentation about ways to weatherize one’s home either with the help of weatherization experts or by doing it DIY. She also talked about ways to finance weatherization projects. LEAP provided free snacks and drinks.