Vermont Gas to Eliminate Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050
The company outlined three key strategies to achieve the near-term goal of a 30 percent greenhouse gas reduction in customers’ homes and businesses by 2030.
SEATTLE (Waste 360): VGS (Vermont Gas) announced an ambitious and comprehensive strategy to eliminate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. The company outlined three key strategies to achieve the near-term goal of a 30 percent greenhouse gas reduction in customers’ homes and businesses by 2030: doubling energy efficiency savings with a $20 million upfront investment; significantly expanding renewable natural gas (RNG) for customers; and strengthening partnerships to advance projects such as district energy in Burlington and Middlebury and a net zero home pilot program.
“Today we put a stake in the ground: VGS stands with our customers and partners in the fight against global climate change,” said Don Rendall, president and CEO of VGS, in a statement. “For more than 50 years, VGS has proudly served Franklin, Chittenden and Addison counties with safe, reliable and affordable natural gas. We’ve held energy bills low, helped support a robust local economy, switched customers to a cleaner fuel source and kept customers safe and warm in their homes. That won’t change.”
VGS (Vermont Gas) announced an ambitious and comprehensive strategy to eliminate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. The company outlined three key strategies to achieve the near-term goal of a 30 percent greenhouse gas reduction in customers’ homes and businesses by 2030: doubling energy efficiency savings with a $20 million upfront investment; significantly expanding renewable natural gas (RNG) for customers; and strengthening partnerships to advance projects such as district energy in Burlington and Middlebury and a net zero home pilot program.
“Today we put a stake in the ground: VGS stands with our customers and partners in the fight against global climate change,” said Don Rendall, president and CEO of VGS, in a statement. “For more than 50 years, VGS has proudly served Franklin, Chittenden and Addison counties with safe, reliable and affordable natural gas. We’ve held energy bills low, helped support a robust local economy, switched customers to a cleaner fuel source and kept customers safe and warm in their homes. That won’t change.” “But how we do it will,” added Rendall. “We propose to double energy efficiency savings and ramp up the role of renewable natural gas. We will help our customers make significant, measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions—30 percent in the next 10 years—and put them and this company on course for zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”
“The time to act is now,” he said. “VGS will take steps today to transform from a traditional gas utility to a climate-forward energy company, reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero while strengthening our commitment to safe, reliable and affordable service for our customers.”
The cornerstone strategy of the VGS vision is to double efficiency savings by 2025 with a $20 million upfront investment in its energy efficiency program. VGS will propose to triple home weatherizations—3,350 homes weatherized by 2025—focusing on low-to-middle income customers, as well as boost energy improvements for commercial and industrial customers.
As part of the efficiency expansion, VGS will help customers find the right low-cost, low-carbon solution for their energy needs, including non-gas alternatives such as electric cold climate heat pumps, advanced wood heat systems and other options in support of the state’s 90 percent renewable by 2050 plan.
Courtesy: www.waste360.com