Waterbury LEAP Blog

WL: Why did you start LEAP?

Duncan: I started Waterbury LEAP in spring of 2007 with a group of local friends.  At the time I was reading a great deal about the risks of global climate change, and the news was making me very nervous.  I have always believed in the adage “Think global, act local’.  I felt I needed to do something in our local community to make a contribution towards protecting our environment and the planet we will be leaving to our son and his generation.

Duncan: If you believe humans are at risk of fundamentally changing the earth’s ecosystem and climate patterns as a result of our man-made emissions — which I do — then you know we need to act soon, and we need to make some serious strides as quickly as we can.  It struck me that my town of Waterbury, VT has many of the components (e.g., motivated residents, supportive employers and town leaders)  necessary for a town to become a model ‘green’ community.  It seemed to me it would be wonderful if LEAP’s volunteers could help Waterbury and surrounding communities reduce its emissions, shrink its energy usage, and begin to live more sustainably.  It would be even more powerful if we created an organizational and operational model that can be shared and replicated by rural communities throughout Vermont, New England, and possibly the US.  That’s why we have set the very ambitious goal of turning Waterbury into the greenest community in Vermont by 2020.   This considerable challenge, and the related deadline, are intended to spur all of LEAP’s members to think as creatively as possible about carrying out the greatest positive changes possible.  Every step of the way we will freely share as much of what we have learned as possible with other communities.

Duncan: A complete list of LEAP projects since 2007 can be found at www.waterburyleap.org Here is a sample of recent initiatives completed by LEAP volunteers:

* Hosted 5th LEAP Energy Fair in April 65 exhibitors and more than 500 attendees. Gov. Peter Shumlin attended, and Sen. Bernie Sanders gave out the LEAP Green Community Award to local students who have completed a lighting retrofit project saving their school $6,000 in energy costs per year. This event has already outgrown two venues and is now one of the largest energy fairs in vermont

* Raised almost $100,000 in grants and donations to put a 14.7 kW solar array on the Crossett Brook Middle School, and a 2.7 kW solar array on the Thatcher Brook Primary School. Both schools also have video monitors in their entrance showing live data from the array, and both have held Solar Days for all students.

* Helped Waterbury receive a $49,500 grant to replace many of the street lights in town with much more energy-efficient LED models.

* Distributed Free Mobile Home Energy Efficiency Guides: LEAP volunteers have distributed a “Do-it-Yourself Mobile Home Energy Efficiency Guide” to mobile homes in Waterbury and Waterbury Center.  The guide provides dozens of ideas to help mobile home residents save money, save energy, and live more comfortably.

* LEAP has helped create Waterbury in Motion, a group of almost 50 local volunteers who are striving to  coordinate a town-wide effort to develop a safe, accessible, and successful Waterbury bike/pedestrian system in coming years.  Members from more than 16 local organizations are participating in meetings and conference calls, more than 350 people completed an online survey, and more than 50 people attended a multi-hour planning session. We are currently developing a Master Plan for the Bike/Ped efforts.

Duncan: Every year the event has expanded.  We’ve already outgrown two venues.  This year more than 500 people attended the 5th LEAP Energy Fair, toured 65 energy-related exhibits, shopped at the Waterbury Farmer’s Market, and enjoyed breakout sessions on some interesting topics.  Numbers were up 50% from last year, and next year we expect they will climb again more people understand the value of reducing emissions, shrinking fuel bills, and saving money.

Duncan: I would say ‘Go for it!”   Our country’s leaders are not doing nearly enough on reducing emissions, conserving energy, and supporting renewable energy, so it’s up to us.  “If the people lead, the leaders will follow.”  I put together a list of 10 tips on starting and maintaining an active town energy committee. ( http://waterburyleap.org/leaptips ) People can read the list, and send me an e-mail at duncan@waterburyleap.org if they have any questions at all.  LEAP members would love to share what we’ve learned along the way.

Duncan: Vermont is a small enough state that you can really make a positive difference.  And Vermont is a very progressive, and collaborative state.  Most people understand these issues, and they are more than happy to share what they know.  It’s fun to work in a state where everyone is so friendly and supportive.