Vermont's Energy Goals: A Story of Missed Targets and Missteps

A recent audit reveals that Vermont is not meeting its own energy reduction goals, set to cut costs and help the environment. The audit highlights problems with two key initiatives:

Key Initiatives Under Scrutiny

1. State Agency Energy Plan

• Established in 1992
• Guides state agencies on energy reduction

2. State Energy Management Program

• Intended to implement energy-saving measures in state buildings
• Department of Buildings and General Services (BGS) has not been tracking progress as required

Findings of the Audit

• Lack of Tracking
• BGS does not measure energy used by state employees for transportation

• Energy use in leased buildings is also not tracked

• Inefficient Projects
• Lighting project at Barre Courthouse cost more than it will save
• Similar issues found in a project at a government office building in Montpelier

• Miscalculation of Savings

• BGS overestimated savings by more than $1.6 million compared to Efficiency Vermont's estimates

• Decline in Project Completion
• Normally completes about five projects a year
• Only one or two projects completed in the last three years
• Staff shortages, with energy project manager positions vacant since 2021
• Over 50 potential projects identified, but only 15 completed

Recommendations and Response

• Auditor's Recommendations
• BGS should start reporting progress and tracking energy use

• Increase the number of projects and improve collaboration with Efficiency Vermont

• Commissioner's Response
• Agreed with the findings
• Offered a timeline to implement the recommendations