2017 LEAP Projects
Here’s a sample of LEAP’s 2017 activities:
Waterbury Energy Plan: At the request of town officials, in the spring of 2017 LEAP members provided many pages of suggestions and feedback on the draft Waterbury Energy Plan.
11th LEAP Energy Fair: On Saturday, April 8 the 11th LEAP Energy Fair was held at the CBMS gym and attracted more than 75 exhibitors and 650 attendees. This fair is now the largest such event in Vermont. Attendees at this free event toured displays and spoke with experts about solar power, heat pumps, weatherization, green building, electric vehicles, pellet stoves, biomass, and many other topics. They also used the free electronics recycling.
Walk & Bike to School Day: On May 24 Waterbury in Motion (a LEAP program) helped organize a Walk & Bike to School Day with TBPS and CBMS. Some 200 children and adults gathered at Rusty Parker Park, enjoyed breakfast provided by LEAP, and then bikers and walkers proceeded in groups to TBPS and CBMS. These events help encourage an expanded biking and walking culture in Waterbury and Duxbury.
LEAP Heat Pump & Solar Fest: On July 20 LEAP hosted a LEAP Heat Pump & Solar Fest. The free event was held at the Crossett Brook Middle School cafeteria and 80 people attended. The gathering included free pizza, drinks and Ben & Jerry's ice cream, and the chance for local residents to speak to many local heat pump and solar installers, to VSECU regarding financing, and to hear from neighbors who are already using heat pumps and/or solar.
Walk & Bike to School Day: On September 27 Waterbury in Motion (a LEAP program) helped organize a Walk & Bike to School Day with TBPS and CBMS. 200 children and adults gathered at Rusty Parker Park, enjoyed breakfast provided by LEAP, and then bikers and walkers proceeded in groups to TBPS and CBMS.
Button Up Home Weatherization Workshop: On November 17 LEAP held a free Button Up Home Weatherization Workshop at the Steele Room in the new Municipal Complex. The free event drew 40 attendees who learned how to tighten up their home to save fuel and money. Guest speakers included a senior energy consultant from Efficiency Vermont and a representative from VSECU who spoke about ways to finance weatherization projects. LEAP provided free pizza, drinks, and many green energy raffle prizes.
Georgetown University Energy Prize: Thanks to LEAP’s leadership, Waterbury and Duxbury were selected to be among 50 communities across the United States to be semi-finalists for the Georgetown University Energy Prize (www.guep.org). The objective of the prize is to foster innovative approaches to energy efficiency, to foster public awareness and engagement in energy-related issues, and to grow markets for the products and services that facilitate energy efficiency. Waterbury and Duxbury were not selected for the finalist phase, but our two communities benefited by LEAP’s collaboration in the contest with two other Vermont semi-finalists (Montpelier and South Burlington) as well as Efficiency Vermont, Green Mountain Power, and other statewide entities.
Waterbury Zoning Bylaws: Upon the request of town officials, LEAP members provided feedback on the draft Waterbury zoning bylaws.
VECAN Conference: On December 2 LEAP volunteers attended the annual VECAN (Vermont Energy & Climate Action Network) Conference and spoke on a panel regarding town energy planning.