January 2025 Net Zero Energy News: Energy Assistance, EV Chargers, Rebates, and more

Get Help Paying Your Electric Bills with BED’s Energy Assistance Program

As we enter 2025, we are pleased to report that the Vermont Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently approved BED’s Energy Assistance Program (EAP) as a permanent program. The EAP provides a 12.5 percent discount to income-qualified customers. BED was excited to triple EAP enrollment this past August by adding 482 new customers to the program through the new auto-enrollment provision. Any customer not seeing this 12.5 percent discount on their electric bill who is interested in determining whether they qualify should please visit burlingtonelectric.com/assistance or call 802.865.7300.

Provide Input on Locations for Public EV Chargers in our Community

As BED works to make EV charging easier and more accessible in Burlington, BED is seeking input from the Burlington community and visitors to Burlington about where BED should install new EV charging stations that will be open to the public. Having received a $4.89 million Charging & Fueling Infrastructure grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, BED plans to install many additional public EV chargers throughout the City, including Level 3 fast chargers, Level 2 dual-port, ground-mounted chargers, and potentially additional utility pole-mounted chargers. Please visit burlingtonelectric.com/newchargers to learn more and provide input.

Go Electric and Save!

Together, our community wrapped up 2024 with many Burlingtonians benefitting from numerous electrification rebates that save you money and reduce fossil fuel usage. From electric vehicles to heat pumps to electric lawnmowers to electric bikes and more, our community members have taken significant steps along the path to Net Zero Energy. We are excited to inform you that we will be announcing updates to our rebate opportunities in January.

And be sure to check out federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentive opportunities that may provide further financial assistance to help more Burlingtonians – including low- and moderate-income families – switch from fossil fuels to electric technologies. The IRA Savings Calculator found at rewiringamerica.org will help determine the amount of federal electrification incentives for which you are eligible. Please visit burlingtonelectric.com/rebates to learn more.

Enjoy Highlight on New Year’s Eve

And, we hope you enjoy Highlight, the City’s wonderful New Year’s Eve celebration. Team BED was glad to visit our friends at King Street Center to donate a bag of buttons/tickets for the youth and their families. Please visit www.highlight.community.

The team at BED wishes you and your families a very happy, healthy New Year!