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“While we have more work ahead to ensure that this project can pencil out economically and is technically feasible, BED is proud to commit today to continue that work with VGS and UVMMC. “As confirmed by our Net Zero Energy Roadmap, a district energy system remains perhaps the single greatest opportunity to reduce thermal sector greenhouse gas emissions in Burlington,” stated Darren Springer, BED General Manager. Department of Energy budget, and the available grants focus on systems that are renewably-fueled like Burlington’s DES. Leahy has strongly supported district energy over the years and worked successfully to include language in the Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations bills that provides $10 million in competitive grants for community district energy projects such as Burlington’s proposed system. I fought to include funding for the Department of Energy to support community-scale projects because I believe the federal government needs to be an active partner in local initiatives like this one.” “It’s not enough to wish solutions to climate change into being,” stated Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “It takes determination, creativity, and hard work to deliver on the bold visions that will impact our future. Cities like Burlington are leading the way in these efforts, and I applaud Mayor Weinberger and BED for moving this project from vision toward action. While much work remains, today’s news represents a major breakthrough.” “It is exciting that, for the first time in 35 years of exploring such a system, we are advancing to the stage of detailed engineering and economic analysis.
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“Creating a District Energy System is one of the most significant local strategies available to us to respond to the climate emergency and meet our ambitious climate goals here in Burlington,” stated Mayor Weinberger. Senator Patrick Leahy recently has secured millions of dollars of federal funds for district energy projects, including ones like Burlington’s DES project. DES also has the potential to make McNeil more efficient and to modestly diversify the market for the energy produced at the station. This system would reduce fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions in Burlington, and mark a significant step toward Burlington’s goal to become a Net Zero Energy city.
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After decades of work toward this system, Phase 2 will mark the first time that BED, VGS, and UVMMC will reach the stage of engaging in detailed engineering analysis and refined economic modeling.Ĭreating a DES in Burlington would meet the long-held goal of recovering waste heat and additional steam from BED’s McNeil Generating Station, and using those sources to provide thermal energy to UVMMC via steam pipe. The DES would bring Burlington the potential for significant energy savings and meaningful climate action.
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Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger, Burlington Electric Department (BED), University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC), VGS, and the Burlington District Energy System (BURDES) Committee, a group of interested local citizens, today announced a milestone step forward to Phase 2 of an updated district energy system (DES) project.