BURLINGTON — Efficiency Vermont, the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, and the Vermont Public Service Department recently announced that nine major Vermont employers — including one in Vergennes — will participate in a new pilot program to reduce operating costs and spur innovation in energy management.
Representing manufacturing, tourism and government, the participating businesses and institutions together employ more than 4,500 Vermonters. In every corner of the state, each is an anchor of its community, supporting the local and statewide economy by employing Vermonters and investing in the region.
The new Energy Savings Account Pilot will support innovative efficiency projects for Chroma (Bellows Falls), Collins Aerospace (Vergennes), Jay Peak Resort, Killington Resort, Mack Molding (Arlington), Okemo Mountain Resort (Ludlow), Stowe Mountain Resort, Weidmann (St. Johnsbury and Westrock (Sheldon). 
“This pilot allows businesses to invest in themselves and invest in Vermont,” said Michael Schirling, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development. “These organizations are ready to take energy efficiency to the next level. By providing flexibility to manage their energy use, they can go further to cut costs and support a strong, vibrant Vermont economy.”
The pilot will enable further innovation and total energy management for participants, with Efficiency Vermont as a dedicated resource to support project development and implementation. The range of eligible products allows for more flexibility and custom solutions to fit the participant, including energy productivity, demand reduction, thermal energy efficiency, and energy storage.
The Energy Savings Account Pilot was created in 2017 through an act of the Legislature, with the intent of creating a program to allow some of the state’s largest energy users more flexibility to direct energy efficiency dollars toward the most impactful projects for their unique energy needs. Efficiency Vermont, the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, and the Public Service Department collaborated to design the Pilot, solicit proposals, and select the participants. The Public Service Department collaborated to design the Pilot, solicit proposals, and select the participants. The Public Service Department will partner with Efficiency Vermont to verify and measure the total energy savings achieved during the three-year pilot period. 
Participants will receive up to 100 percent of their Energy Efficiency Charge back to use for eligible projects and evaluation, measurement, and verification costs. The total funds for the pilot cannot exceed $2 million over the three-year period. Of that allowance, an additional $400,000 is still available for additional eligible participants through a second round of proposals. Eligible participants must currently contribute at least $5,000 per year to the Energy Efficiency Charge. 
Staff at Vermont organizations interested in participating in the Energy Savings Pilot, may find the RFP for the second round of proposals online here.