A STATEWIDE UMBRELLA FOR ADVANCING COMMUNITY-LED
THERMAL ENERGY NETWORKS IN VERMONT

  • Bringing needed expertise together with local, regional, and state leaders

  • Engaging communities, developing projects, and supporting opportunities to scale this solution

  • Coordinating with other Vermont organizations, coalitions, and state and national networks

WHAT WE DO

Outreach & Engagement

We provide information and host learning opportunities to engage Vermonters around the many benefits of Thermal Energy Networks.

We make connections between community decision makers, organizations, state agencies, and national experts to understand how Thermal Energy Networks can be developed to best serve Vermonters.

Local Energy & Equity

We explore community-based models and ownership structures to help Vermont communities maximize the potential of these local energy systems.

We are bringing Thermal Energy Networks to energy-burdened communities and identifying paths to provide training and ensure quality jobs for Vermont workers.

Feasibility & Financing

We are working to demonstrate the viability of Thermal Energy Networks for Vermont’s climate, geography, density, diversity of buildings, economy, and other state-specific concerns.

We are also exploring how to finance locally-owned projects by leveraging intact federal incentives and diverse funding pathways.

WHO WE ARE

Debbie New, Coordinator

A teacher and anthropologist by training, Debbie launched Vermont Community Thermal Networks in 2022 to advance Thermal Energy Networks (TENs) with a focus on relieving energy burdens, enabling local control, and maximizing community benefits. She now works directly with multiple communities developing community-driven TENs and facilitates the TENs Table, a national community of practice for locally-owned TENs. Previously, she coordinated coalitions and working groups dedicated to decarbonization of the thermal sector, including leading research and educational initiatives on gas safety as well as on issues with hydrogen and biomethane. Her approach to Thermal Energy Networks is based on her experience of the power and urgency of community organizing.

Samantha Lash, Projects

Dedicated to adapting our physical and social infrastructure to support our Vermont communities now and into the future, Sam brings over a decade of expertise in climate change and community systems research, fieldwork, and stakeholder engagement. Sam is currently the Climate & Energy Planner with Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission, where she supports state-wide policy and program development and implementation as well as local project development and planning.

Maddison Shropshire, Projects

A climate policy and sustainability professional, Maddison brings over five years of experience in community outreach, stakeholder engagement, and grant management. She holds an MS in Climate Policy and MBA for Sustainable Business from Bard College. Her previous role as the Energy Planner at Addison County Regional Planning Commission gave her a deep knowledge of the energy and sustainability challenges facing Vermont as well as a passion for community-led, resilience-building solutions like Thermal Energy Networks.

VCTN is grateful for our many dedicated volunteers, including:

James A. Dumont, Esq.

Susan Smiley