Your VECAN Support Team
As a part of the VECAN network, you, and the other 120+ energy committees across the state, are supported by a diverse group of partner organizations. The VECAN Partners, consisting of the Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC), Vital Communities, Energy Action Network (EAN), Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) and Efficiency Vermont (EVT), are available to provide online consultation and support to individuals and full energy committees working on local energy transformation. Each of the VECAN partners brings different expertise, connections, and perspectives to the vital work you are doing and your communities, and we are eager to support you however we can. Even if we can’t help you directly, we will do our best to connect you with others who can.
You’ll find more details below about which topics each individual VECAN partner is best equipped to assist you with. Please direct your questions to the individual VECAN partner whose expertise best matches your needs. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
Don’t forget that the other energy committees across the state can also be a resource to you! Check out this map for a list of all energy committees and their contact information.
Johanna Miller
Energy & Climate Program Director
Vermont Natural Resources Council
Johanna is available for consultation on:
- Public Engagement Strategies
- Strategic Planning
- Communications and Outreach Strategies
- Starting a Town Energy Committee
- Tracking and strategically engaging in state-level initiatives
- Legislature
- Comprehensive Energy Plan
- Climate Action Plan
- Funding+
- Climate Dispatch
Dan Fingas
Climate Action Coordinator
Vermont Natural Resources Council
Dan is available for consultation on:
- Outreach & Public Engagement Strategies
- VECAN Resources
- Website
- Listserv / Google Group
- Tracking and strategically engaging in state-level initiatives
- Legislature
- Climate Dispatch
Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD)
The VCRD team (Laura Bailey and Jessica Savage) can provide:
- Climate Economy Resilient Communities https://www.vtrural.org/resilient-communities
- Facilitation and Community Engagement Services
- Communication and Outreach Planning
- Strategic Planning
- Project Implementation Support Services
- Climate Catalysts Innovation Fund https://www.vtrural.org/programs/model-communities/innovation
- Climate Catalysts Leadership Program https://www.vtrural.org/climatecatalysts
Sarah Brock
Energy Program Manager
Vital Communities
Sarah is available for consultation on:
- Climate and energy efforts in the Upper Valley
- Strategic Energy Action Toolkit for energy committees and other local energy and climate action
- Solarize and Weatherize campaigns
- Green real estate (working with home buyers, home sellers, real estate professionals)
- Outreach to mobile home residents
Cara Robecheck
Network Manager
Energy Action Network
The EAN team can provide:
- Presentations and discussion about Vermont’s GHG emissions and emission reduction requirements
- Presentations and walkthroughs of the Community Energy Dashboard and Community Progress Maps
- Coordination with EAN Network Action Teams
Efficiency Vermont
The Efficiency Vermont team (Bekah Kuster, Michelle McCutcheon-Schour, and Brad Long) can provide:
- Support for community-wide presentations and events that promote electrical or thermal efficiency
- Information on state-wide energy efficiency incentives for schools, municipalities, and businesses to help your town save energy and money
- Energy efficiency training, guidance, and technical assistance for nonprofits, communities, municipalities, and business groups
- Support with Button Up Vermont Campaign
Community Energy Coordinator
Vermont Natural Resources Council
Available for consultation on:
- VECAN Resources
- VECAN Website
- VECAN E-Newsletter
- Events
- Energy Committee Activities
- Communications and Outreach Strategies