
Burlington Electric Department
2020–21 Strategic Direction
Mission
To serve the energy needs of our customers in a safe, reliable, affordable, and socially responsible manner.Values
Safety, Reliability, Community, Innovation2030 Vision
Make Burlington a Net Zero Energy city by reducing and eventually eliminating fossil fuel usage across the electric, thermal, and ground transportation sectors by strategically electrifying, managing demand, realizing efficiency gains, and expanding local renewable generation while increasing system resilience.
Strategic Objectives
Engage Customers and Community
Focus on customer first-call resolution to provide exceptional customer care
Better educate and engage customers on our Net Zero Energy vision through all communications channels, with a focus on web and social media
Ensure all programs are equitable and accessible, with a priority given to low-to-moderate income, rental, black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), immigrant, and refugee populations
Evolve energy efficiency programs to drive deeper greenhouse gas emissions reductions, complement strategic electrification efforts, help manage peak demand, and improve community resilience and environmental health
Proactively seek customer input, listen to and hear their needs, and incorporate their input into program design
Strengthen Reliability
Update five-year Distribution System and Generation construction plans to accommodate potential load increases due to the Net Zero Energy goals, and design and construct projects to continue to improve safety, reliability, and efficiency
Continue to follow maintenance plans for McNeil, Winooski One, Gas Turbine, and the Distribution System
Take steps to ensure reliable operations through succession planning
Ensure consistent fuel supply availability at McNeil based on annual operational strategy and procurement procedures
Implement Outage Management System (OMS) and grid analytics to improve response to system outages, system reliability, and efficiency
Invest in Our People, Processes, and Technology
Work with the Director of Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging, Human Resources, Change the Story, and other partners to attract, develop, and retain a diverse workforce with the knowledge, skills, and ability to support BED’s Net Zero vision and strategic objectives
Develop a culture of integrity, safety, inclusion, innovation, teamwork, and continuous learning and improvement
Continually improve internal processes to design and deliver innovative programs and services, improve operational efficiency and effectiveness, and optimize use of data to inform decision-making
Plan and invest in the technology infrastructure necessary to support BED’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities, including multi-year replacement of core business systems
Innovate to Reach Net Zero Energy
Advance district energy, microgrid projects, and customer- or community-based renewable energy production
Improve automated demand response capability and implement appropriate end-use technologies to manage loads
Develop dynamic and creative rates to achieve Net Zero Energy goal
Track, monitor, and report progress toward achieving Net Zero Energy through the Performance Measures Report and other means
Provide clean and affordable transportation fuel through renewable electricity, and invest in and encourage use of the necessary infrastructure to serve customers across all modes of transportation, including electric bikes, electric vehicles, and electric transit buses
Launch electrification programs for cooking, additional lawn equipment, and snow removal
Actively participate in City policy processes aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the building sector
Build and maximize use of partnerships that provide unique value and opportunities to make progress toward Net Zero Energy at a more rapid rate and greater scale
Maintain and invest in quality facilities and use to pilot and showcase new technologies that advance Net Zero Energy
Manage Budget and Risks Responsibly
Create financially responsible and sustainable budgets that balance the need for stable rates, investment in core infrastructure, and strong credit rating factors
Ensure timely and diligent compliance with risk, safety, environmental, and other legal and regulatory standards
Efficiently and effectively manage procurement of goods and services
Enhance cybersecurity capabilities