2022 LEAP Projects

Here’s a sample of LEAP’s 2022 activities: 

  • On April 29, we held a LEAP Movie Night at the Waterbury Public Library.  Attendees enjoyed watching the inspiring film 2040 by award-winning director Damon Gameau that explored what the future would look like in 2040 if we embraced the solutions already available to us to improve our planet.

  • On April 5, 7, & 13, LEAP arranged for an Efficiency Vermont energy efficiency specialist to give free 45-60 minute in-person energy walkthroughs to local businesses.  Each business received: 1) a 360-degree view of where energy was being wasted; 2) a prioritized list of recommendations for steps they could take to save energy and money; 3) information about financial incentives and custom rebates to minimize project costs; 4) objective, 3rd party recommendations; 5) and a clear, organized plan of action to start saving energy.

  • Each year Waterbury in Motion (a LEAP program) helps organize two Walk & Bike to School Days with TBPS and CBMS.  At each event, children and adults gather at Rusty Parker Park. LEAP provides a free breakfast for everyone — bagels, fruit, OJ, coffee, muffins, cider.  After breakfast, the children and their chaperones bike, walk, or scooter to their respective schools. This year the events took place on February 11 and September 21.

  • On August 17 we hosted yet another LEAP Electric Vehicle Fest. This year, more than 175 people attended the exciting gathering at Crossett Brook Middle School. Attendees were able to tour 18 all-electric or plug-in hybrid EVs, and hear from Dave Roberts, the coordinator of Drive Electric Vermont, about the many advantages of driving an EV, the latest vehicles, and their ranges, and incentives. There was also an array of electric lawn appliances and a riding electric mower. To learn more about electric lawn equipment, visit https://www.mowelectric.org. Drive Electric Vermont has an excellent fact sheet listing all the EVs and plug-in hybrid EVs currently available in Vermont, with their price, range, tax credits, lease prices, and listing which are available in all-wheel drive. Learn more at https://www.driveelectricvt.com

  • Waterbury LEAP members assisted the Planning Commission in the writing of the Waterbury Town Energy 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 met in 2022 to plan initiatives.

  • For many years LEAP has participated in Efficiency Vermont’s Button Up Weatherization Program in November. This year we shared information about webinars, audits, financing, and other related topics with the community via social media and the Waterbury Roundabout.

  • On November 4, LEAP members met with Congressman Peter Welch to hear about various green energy initiatives in Washington, and to offer input and ideas from the grassroots level.