Investor Profile: Vermont Energy
Investment Corporation

Executive Director: Scott Johnstone

Vermont’s Goal: To Achieve Energy Independence

While the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) has helped make Vermont a leader in the reduction of electricity usage throughout the country (see cover story), the VEIC also oversees the program known as Efficiency Vermont (EVT). Efficiency Vermont is the country’s first statewide efficiency utility - a program set up about seven years ago - to help households and business reduce their energy costs.

With heating fuel costs at an all-time high, EVT has been busier than ever responding to consumer-driven interest in saving money on fuel and electricity costs. “Efficiency rules in terms of costs,” says Scott Johnstone, executive director of VEIC, “EVT is still the cheapest game in town.”

According to Scott, Vermont is headed in a better direction due to recent legislation to make Vermonters more aware and educated about how they can tighten up their homes and businesses. “Overall, homeowners are making better choices,” says Scott, “like during an energy audit, we’re not just working to save fuel but we’re changing from regular light bulbs to CFL’s (Compact Fluorescent Lights), checking windows and doors for drafts and much more.”

Once prices at the gas pump jumped in mid-summer, EVT’s calls from consumers were off the charts. Summertime at EVT is typically a slower time for incoming calls. “Typically we don’t see as many calls in June or July,” Scott explains, “but the calls during that time this year were even higher than the typically high-call seasons of the year!”

The challenge EVT faces, however, is not in responding to the ever-increasing volume of consumer calls, but in getting more help for training and certifying installation crews, energy auditors, and those doing the work in the field to make homes more energy efficient. Scott recommends that even if homeowners don’t look to EVT with their weatherization concerns, that they are sure to hire someone who is BPI (Building Performance Institute, Inc.) certified. Look to BPI accredited contractors and certified energy auditors to get it right.

 “Getting it right” is a driving force between what VEIC, Efficiency Vermont, and even the Vermont Community Loan Fund are working to do. These organizations are hopeful, and supportive of, Vermont continuing to grow the alternative industry throughout the state and beyond our borders. From an all-fuels perspective, Vermont still relies at least 60% on home heating fuels, according to the VEIC. Our state does not have the population density to support natural gas or other alternative fuel sources.

“We need to get to energy independence,” Scott explains, “This is a boundless industry for everyone, not just Vermont. Green jobs equal green value and I’m confident that Vermont can become energy independent.
“We can be that, we just need to declare it.”