Net Zero Energy Podcast

Sarah Camille Wilson is the Executive Director at Old Spokes Home in the Old North End of Burlington. Sarah fills us in on their programs that helps make biking accessible to everybody, their Fall Fundo, their new six-week class Mechanics 101, BED’s newly increased e-bike rebates, and their annual Kids Bike Bonanza in May when they give away 150 bikes.

Bill Parizo, Director of Power System at Burlington Electric Department, shares stories of his 42 years with BED. We go all the way back to the Moran plant and switching from coal to wood chips, the conception and construction of McNeil, BED’s new SCADA system, and plenty more. Bill’s passionate for his work and the mission of BED are undeniable.

Kara Alnasrawi is the Director of Business and Workforce Development for the city of Burlington as well as Director of the Church Street Marketplace. We spoke about the possibilities for the Memorial block, Burlington’s commercial sector’s support for our NZE goals, mixed-use zoning, and the Great Streets program.

Jon Clark is the Power Production Technician at Winooski One Hydro Plant. Jon talks about the history and operations of Winooski One Hydro, the fish elevator, how to start a career in power production, and the effects of extreme weather on the health and operation of the plant.

During the pandemic, Alison Segar started making multi-lingual videos to share important information with our diverse community. This project evolved into the Vermont Language Justice Project and now creates information videos for a wide range of topics in many languages. 

George D. Martin is the President of LN Consulting. LN Consulting provides building design solutions focused on health and sustainability, forged in analysis and technology, in collaboration with our clients and the communities they serve.

In her role as an engineer at Cx Associates, Krystina Kattermann serves as the district engineer for the Burlington 2030 District and conducts energy analysis and project review. Jen and Krystina talk about how BED customers can get a free Property Energy Plan, or PEP, for their property.

Sandy Thibault, Executive Director of CATMA (Chittenden Area Transportation Management Association) shares the history of CATMA and its founding members, the CATMA app, programs that help Vermonters get around without relying on automobiles, Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies, and more.

BED GM Darren Springer and Manager of Strategy and Innovation and CFO Emily Stebbins Wheelock discuss the Net Zero Energy and Grid Reliability Revenue Bond on the November ballot for voter consideration. The bond would fund additional investments in key priorities for our utility and community through the end of this decade.

Weiwei Wang is the co-director of the Vermont Professionals of Color Network. The network’s mission is to advance the economic and social prosperity of people of color across the state of Vermont. They also provide consultation services to businesses and organizations.