Vermont

Energy efficiency

Vermont is boosting new homes that can cut energy use in half

A nation-leading program that encourages superefficient manufactured homes is underway in Vermont, and will produce significant energy savings for residents.

By Alison F. Takemura .

30 June 2026

A person on a ladder leaned on a manufactured home. — Karen Bushey, a senior engineering consultant with VEIC, measures the energy efficiency of a newly delivered, all-electric manufactured home at Tri-Park Cooperative Housing in Brattleboro, Vermont. (Matthew Smith/VEIC)

Solar

This Vermont town embraced a wind farm. Solar is a different story.

Vermont aims to wean off fossil fuels faster than most of America — but large-scale solar projects are facing resistance from locals across the rural state.

By Austyn Gaffney . 21 May 2026
Geothermal

Vermont’s first neighborhood geothermal project prepares to break ground

The gas utility and affordable housing developers building the system are pressing on with their plan despite the Trump administration’s funding clawbacks.

By Sarah Shemkus . 14 April 2026
Clean energy

How Vermont’s pioneering clean heat plan fell apart

Misinformation, politics, and a complex design brought down the once-promising program, which sought to slash emissions from heating in the cold New England state.

By Sarah Shemkus . 5 March 2026
Solar

Plug-in solar bills are in the works in New Hampshire and Vermont

DIY "balcony" solar kits, which can save residents money and give them more independence, are piquing interest from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

By Sarah Shemkus . 23 September 2025
Clean energy

Vermont’s clean energy transition faces unprecedented political threat

Republican legislative gains, financial worries, and outside interference are stacking the deck against climate progress this session.

By Sarah Shemkus . 18 March 2025
Policy & regulation

With new draft rules, Vermont’s clean heat standard faces murky future

Last year, Vermont became one of the first states to pass a clean heat law. Now, its regulators and lawmakers are trying to figure out how to implement the policy.

By Carrie Klein . 8 October 2024
ENN

Study: Vermont’s warming winters ‘not the whole story’ for declining fossil fuel use

The analysis finds that warming winters explain most but not all of Vermont’s drop in fossil fuel sales, as improvements like heat pumps and weatherization are starting to have a greater impact.

By Annie Ropeik . 18 June 2024
ENN

Months after devastating floods, Vermont renews efforts to aid climate-friendly rebuilds

The state saw mixed success encouraging heat pumps and other upgrades in damaged homes in the wake of the disaster. Now groups are revisiting those same residents to work on long-term improvements.

By Annie Ropeik . 20 March 2024
ENN

Northeast grid operator weighs first environmental justice position

The role could serve as a bridge between ISO New England and the communities it serves as the region transitions to cleaner energy resources, state officials say.

By Miranda Willson . 7 August 2023
ENN

Vermont wants to win over the state’s biggest gas-guzzlers with new EV incentives

Electric vehicles have barely made a dent in gas consumption, but state and local officials hope to change that by targeting long-distance commuters and drivers with older vehicles.

By Lisa Prevost . 27 July 2023