BENNINGTON — State Rep. Joseph L. Krawczyk Jr. was honored Thursday by a renewable energy advocacy group for his work on recent legislation.

Renewable Energy Vermont presented Krawczyk, R-Bennington, with the Renewable Energy Champion Award, given annually “to individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and commitment to advancing renewable energy initiatives to better Vermont’s overall energy, environmental, and economic well-being.”

Krawczyk received the award at the group’s eighth annual Conference and Expo in Burlington.

“This year, Rep. Krawczyk was a legislative champion and led the Vermont Legislature in the first-of-its-kind policy,” said Lawrence Mott, chairman of REV’s board of directors. “The renewable energy bill and the standard offer component are accelerating the growth of this sector in Vermont, bringing the state back as a leader in energy policy.”

In his eighth year as a legislator, Krawczyk is the current vice chairman of the Natural Resource and Energy Committee, enabling him to help pass the Energy Act of 2009, develop the clean energy fund and facilitate wind tower siting and cow power programs. He has also worked successfully to open state lands for development of renewable energy.

First ‘feed in tariff’ program

The renewable energy bill, passed in May, made Vermont the first state in the nation to pass a “feed in tariff” program, also known as a standard offer. The program requires utilities to purchase a set amount of power from renewable sources at above market rates. It is intended to encourage development of solar, wind and biomass energy. The program has increased interest among potential renewable energy developers, according to Mott.

The bill also establishes clean energy districts, allowing small towns and rural incorporated villages to use bonds to finance residential renewable energy or energy efficiency projects.

“Joe was a real champion of this bill. He focused on working to ensure that the best policies and practices were incorporated. These policies are now in place, and we are seeing real action from Joe’s insistence on specific language in the law,” Mott said.

Krawczyk, a Bennington native, said his 28 years in the U.S. Army, including 14 years in Germany where he witnessed that country’s renewable energy programs, has encouraged him to push for more renewable energy in Vermont.

“I don’t believe that Vermont should rely on only two large generators, in this case Vermont Yankee and Hydro-Quebec, to provide two-thirds of our base load of energy,” Krawczyk said.

The renewable energy bill is having a local impact. A solar project in Pownal was chosen to take part in the state program, he said. He said the state needs to continue the transition to new forms of energy, and embrace new technology, such as smart meters.

Krawczyk said he is working with a local resident on legislation to streamline the permitting process for small hydro projects. “The one part where we’re not where I want to be is small hydro,” he said.

REV provides renewable energy education to schools and communities of Vermont, raising consciousness about the many benefits of hydropower, wind, biomass, solar and geothermal energy. The group is composed of renewable energy companies, institutional and academic partners, and concerned citizens of Vermont.

Contact Neal P. Goswami at ngoswami@benningtonbanner.com

Reprinted with permission from The Bennington Banner

When buying, selling or maintaining your current Bennington, Vermont home, remember that eco-conscious living does not have to break the bank, nor does it have to be overly challenging.

• Switch on. One of the easiest ways to turn green is to switch out old-style light bulbs for energy-saving fluorescent lights. Changing just half of your household light sources can mean big savings for you.
• Use reuseable. Cloth grocery bags make a difference in landfill volume.
• Buy local. Shop at local farmer’s markets or stores with the maple leaf sign reducing truck fuel usage and investing in your community. When buying seafood, ask for “ocean-friendly” types.
• Garden at home. Planting your own produce (and composting) replaces nutrients in your soil, offers easy-on-the-eye landscaping for potential real estate buyers, that states the store carries local foods. You will not only get fresher food, but you will be and lowers your food budget!!

I will be attending a class on Wednesday evening at the Bennington Free Library in order to be verify that landlords are performing Essential Mainteannce Practices.

More information about Vermont Lead Based Paint Law and classes can be seen on the LeadSafe.org website.

Vermont’s Lead Law requires that landlords who own properties built before 1978 conduct several Essential Maintenance Practices (EMPs) to reduce the hazards of lead paint poisoning:

• Attend a training program approved by the Vermont Department of Health to learn about their legal responsibilities, how to do EMPs, and how to safely stabilize deteriorating lead-based paint.
• Inspect all interior and exterior surfaces and fixtures.
• Safely stabilize or remove lead-based paint if more than one square foot of deteriorated lead-based paint is found on the interior of the apartment or on an exterior porch. This must be done within 30 days after the landlord sees the paint or is notified of the problem.
• Install window well inserts.
• Post a written notice notifying tenants of the importance of promptly reporting deteriorated paint.
• At a change of tenants, clean all the window wells and sills tenants have access to, and clean all horizontal surfaces except ceilings. This must be in a manner approved by the VT Dept. of Health, which at this time means using high-phosphate soap and HEPA vacuum cleaners.
• Clean all window wells and windowsills annually if a child age 6 or under lives in the rental unit.
• Annually inspect the premises, and notify their insurers that the EMPs are completed.
• Give all current or potential tenants written information about lead paint poisoning hazards. Under federal regulations, the property owner must disclose any known lead paint poisoning hazards.

No matter how large the problem may appear, the fact remains that each of us is a part of the solution. Every day, each of us makes decisions that can stimulate sustainability and a new energy economy. When we put all the pieces together, all of us — the Federal Government, private industry, and the public — have the means to shape our energy future and move our nation toward energy independence.
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I recently saw a news article about this program, and thought it important enough to share.

Efficiency Vermont has launched a refrigerator recycling program that offers free pick up of old, energy-wasting refrigerators and freezers, a $30 rebate check, utility bill savings and state-of-the-art disposal and recycling of the appliances.
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 It’s that time of year when we all try to cut expenses where we are able. The U.S. Department of Energy offers these tips to keep Bennington, Vermont real estate owners warm and keep the cold cash in their pocket:  
1. Plug air leaks with caulking, sealing, or weather stripping. Even insulating the electrical outlets can save money.
2. Make sure the furnace is serviced each year. The small cost of servicing will result in greater savings.
 
3. Install a programmable thermostat. Lowering the thermostat when no one is home can save up to 10% of your heating bill.
  
5. Insulate the attic.  Heat rises – most real estate should have between R-30 and R-49 insulation in the attic. Go to www.eere.energy.gov/consumer for more information.
 
7. Welcome the sun. Open curtains to allow sunlight to naturally heat the home.
8. Find the star. Cut energy bills by up to 30 percent with Energy Star labeled products. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in place of comparable incandescent bulbs. Find stores at www.energystar.gov.
 Making a home energy efficient can not only save you money but make your real estate more appealing to potential buyers. Call Troy Richardson for more ideas on how to get your home ready to sell!

Bennington VT, First Time Buyers, Environmental

The next big thing among eco-minded consumers is the personal wind turbine.

An increasing number of home owners, especially in northern California and the Northeast, are attracted to wind turbines, which generate electricity —sometimes nearly enough to power an entire house. The technologically-sophisticated systems are expensive, but state tax incentives and laws that require utilities to buy excess power from residential turbines at retail rather than wholesale prices are making them more cost-effective.

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Act 200 is a growth management act which went into effect in 1989 to make sure that regional and local plans are consistent with Vermont’s planning goals.  This law addresses agricultural land, forest preservation and affordable housing.

In order to receive state planning funds, a municipality in Vermont must have approved town plans .  Towns can collect impact fees from developers to help fund municipal projects made necessary by development.  Towns must have an adopted capital budget and program in order to collect these fees. Planning officials say the town plans are an aid to development because they remove ambiguity, and can speed the process and clarify expectations.

Categories: Bennington VT, Environmental

portions from Business People – Vermont, February 2007

Vermont has passed a comprehensive land-use law called Act 250. This occurred in 1970 to protect against substandard or shortsighted development and the burdens it places on water, sewer, utility, police and fire services as well as the impacts to schools and roads. Act 250 was designed to protect air and water quality, to promote soil conservation and to preserve wildlife habitats as well as scenic, historic and archaeological sites.

The following proposals fall within Act 250 guidelines, and are reviewed by one of nin District Environmental Commissions, each with jurisdiction in a particular region:

• commercial projects of 10 or more acres
• developments in elevations above 2,500 feet
• developments with 10 or more units
• roads longer than 800 feet serving subdivisions
• projects of less than 10 acres in towns without zoning and subdivision bylaws

Each development proposal is reviewed against ten criteria specified in the Act. The procedure provides for a public hearing where abutters and interested parties may voice their concerns about the proposal.

Categories: Bennington VT, Environmental

portions from Business People – Vermont, February 2007

Have you heard about the new septic regulations in Vermont.

If you have, you’ve probably heard more rumor than fact.  While I cannot be an expert on these matters, I can send you to the one place to get the answers.  The Agency of Natural Resources website has some good summaries of the new regulations.

A quick abstract is: (more…)