The Brattleboro Reformer reports that Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) has launched a new program to "help address demand and environmental concerns between now and the time new transmission lines are installed along the Southern Loop corridor that runs between Vernon and Cavendish." The program is expected to help CVPS reduce peak power loads.

Large-scale energy users who sign on to the Vermont Reliability Program, "must be able to dial back on their power usage with 30 minutes notice between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. In return, they could earn up to $45,000 a year from Central Vermont Public Service. They can receive that money whether or not they are called upon to turn down their power usage." Notably "to be eligible for the program, industries and commercial users must agree to have advanced metering installed." Advanced meters, or smart meters, "can transmit information every five minutes and help businesses do a better job of tracking their energy usage."

Long Trail Brewery in Bridgewater is one of the companies participating in the program. Seth Wyman, brand marketing manager for Long Trail, explained, "It was really no question for us," said . "The whole goal of improving Vermont's environmental sustainability efforts is a big part of where we are as a company."

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The Brattleboro Reformer reports that the Deerfield Valley Transit Association, also known as The MOOver, is looking to biodiesel as a way to save money. The Association, which operates free buses to and from Brattleboro, recently scaled back their operations because of rising fuel costs. Indeed, bus service to Wardsboro was cut indefinitely and service to East Dover and from Wilmington was cut back. Two MOOver mechanics, David Meeks and Glen Beattie,  think that biodiesel could help the Association curb costs. "Beginning Saturday, the MOOver plans to produce B100, or 100 percent refined vegetable oil with no diesel additive. The fuel does not affect horsepower or performance but does reduce emissions." The biodiesel for the buses "will be produced in the MOOver garage with an 85-gallon processor using used vegetable oil gathered from Mount Snow ski resort and other local restaurants. The project [will be] limited by the amount of oil the company can collect."

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The Burlington Free Press reports that "Sen. Bernie Sanders will spend the week touring solar energy projects in Nevada and New Mexico as he introduces legislation designed to boost the use of solar power." The legislation which Sanders will introduce this week would "provide tax rebates to consumers who install solar power. The rebates would cost an estimated $10 billion a year, which is expected to be the major stumbling block for the legislation."

During his tour out west, Sanders will visit "Nevada's Nellis Air Force Base, which gets about 25 percent of its electricity from solar photovoltaic panels" and "the country's first large-scale solar thermal plant in Boulder City, Nev., which provides power to more than 14,000 households." While in New Mexico, he will "participate in a Senate energy committee field hearing to examine the progress of electricity generation from solar power."

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The Addison County Independent reports that the town clerk's office in Middlebury will test out a new work schedule to try and help employees save on transportation costs. "The new schedule — which will include extended hours from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday — will be in effect until at least Aug. 29, allowing the office almost two months to test what Town Clerk Ann Webster termed a 'pilot program.'"

"The pilot program comes in conjunction with an energy savings project undertaken by the Middlebury Area Global Warming Action Coalition. Using a “low carbon diet workbook,” MAGWAC, as the coalition is known, has worked intensively with groups of individuals to reduce energy consumption and the burning of climate-changing fossil fuels. It has also applied this same principal to several town offices and vehicles."

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