Energy Efficiency and Mobile Homes

HUD provides a practical guide focused on mobile homes. The guide is comprised of energy-saving tips, techniques, and recommendations for owners of manufactured (mobile) homes. It recognizes that all homes can benefit from cost-effective measures to improve energy efficiency, that technologies have advanced, and that energy costs are rising. The guide also explains ten categories of energy saving techniques accompanied by information on the approximate cost and skill level of each technique, the climate in which the technique is most appropriate, and an indication of which ones will lead to greater energy savings.

Download the guide in pdf form (45 pages).

The Manufactured Housing Research Alliance, in cooperation with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Partnership of Advanced Technology in Housing, prepared this guide.

Municipal Education Grants (MEGs)

Municipal Education Grants are available from the Vermont Dept of Housing and Community Affairs again this year.

Program Information

The Municipal Education Grant program (MEG) provides municipalities with funds for training volunteer boards and commissions to help them perform their duties as defined under 24 V.S.A. Chapter 117. The fund is designed to bring trainers directly to the community so that all members of the land use boards and commissions have the opportunity for basic and on-going education.

Municipalities may apply for a grant of up to $800 any time before May 15, 2009. The state will reimburse the municipality for the grant amount after the training has taken place and expenses have been paid.

State's Draft Energy Plan

The State of Vermont is currently taking comments on their draft Energy Plan. The document is an update of the 1998 plan and is intended to lay out how the state will meet its energy needs over the next twenty years.

A draft of the plan was released in May 2008 (read the press release).

Comment on the Plan.
There was a public meeting on October 8, 2008 held in Rutland, VT, in addition to several other public forums around the state.

Read VNRC's comments on the draft.

Watch Addison County Monthly Energy Programs

The Energy Committee was inspired by Elizabeth Golden from the Addision County Regional Planning Commission. Golden shared her experiences as a citizen and planner on the ACRPC Energy Committee at the November meeting of the RRPC.

The ACRPC Energy Committee is very active and presents monthly educational forums, which are open to the public. Middlebury Community Television records the presentations and posts them on their website. Take advantage of this great resource and check them out! The videos are posted under the Governmental section.