Net Zero Energy Podcast

Biking is the most energy efficient way for people to get around. Executive Director of Old Spokes Home Jon Copans talks about their mission to make bikes more accessible and affordable for all Burlingtonians and how Old Spokes Home is helping us achieve our Net Zero Energy goal.

Local commercial property owner and entrepreneur A.J. Rossman talks about the challenges and opportunities of bringing his commercial office space on North Avenue up to Net Zero Energy standards.

The DeltaClimeVT business accelerator is a Vermont-based program serving startup and seed-stage ventures focusing on climate economy innovation across multiple industries. Geoff Robertson & BED’s own James L. Gibbons talk about the successes and opportunities that DeltaClimeVT brings.

Annie Bourdon, Executive Director of CarShare Vermont, talks with us about the history, benefits, and considerations of carsharing in Burlington. In addition to offering an affordable alternative to owning a vehicle, CarShare Vermont’s fleet includes electric vehicles. This is a great way for Burlingtonians to familiarize themselves with EV technology and contribute to the City’s Net Zero Energy vision.

Nicole Hernandez left Tennessee and her teaching career during the pandemic to begin a new life with her family here in Vermont. She soon found the Vermont Works For Women Trailblazers program and studied various energy-related trades including forestry.

Tony Nguyen drives over 40,000 miles a year delivering pizza for a living and taking road trips with his son. Tony shares his research on how much money he saves driving his Tesla over his old internal combustion engine car. We also discuss EV rebates available to Burlingtonians including Mileagesmart that supports low- and moderate-income Vermonters.

UVM professor and climate scientist Dr. Amy Seidl has written two books on climate change. She talks about adaptation and resilience from an evolutionary biology perspective. How has life adapted to our changing climate and how can we prevent the adverse effects.

Jeff Padgett is a Division Director at Burlington’s Department of Public Works. As a neighbor he has worked to move his Burlington home to Net Zero Energy and away from fossil fuels. We will talk about the steps he has taken in recent years as a homeowner. 

Winter is not too far off. Is it ever far off in Vermont? So now is as good a time as any to start preparing. Today, we’re talking weatherization with Tim Perrin, Manager of Energy Efficiency and Innovation at VGS. Like BED, VGS is an Energy Efficiency Utility with their own staff of energy experts dedicated to helping Burlingtonians find ways to save energy and money.

Sophia Donforth, Executive Director at VEEP – Vermont Energy Education Program, talks about their programs that guide K-12 students and teachers in developing a deep understanding of energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy technologies, and climate change. She also discusses the kits and other classroom materials they make available to Vermont (and NH!) classrooms.