Ed. Note: The following press release from the VT Clean Energy Development Fund lists grant recipients for the first round of funding. groSolar teamed with two successful companies, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and RSD Transportation, for projects that received funding. See notes in text.

112 STATE STREET
MONTPELIER, VT 05620-2601

TEL: 802-828-2811

e-mail: publicservice@vermont.gov

Internet: http://publicservice.vermont.gov

For Immediate Release

August 9, 2007
Kelly Launder, 802-828-4039

 

MEDIA RELEASE

$2 Million awarded for VT Clean Energy Development Fund Projects

Montpelier, VT – Vermont

Department of Public Service (DPS), Commissioner David O’Brien announced today that the DPS will award approximately $2 million from the Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF) for projects throughout the state.  The purpose of the CEDF is to promote a wide variety of clean electric energy technologies and programs, primarily with respect to renewable energy resources, and the use of combined heat and power technologies.

“Energy from solar, biomass, Vermont-scale wind, geothermal, and hydropower sources can improve both our economy and the environment,” said Governor Douglas.  “Clean Energy Development Fund projects play an important role in our efforts to diversify sources of power, keep energy dollars at home and build a stronger, more innovative economy.”

The DPS received 34 proposals, requesting over $4.7 million in funding, in response to the CEDF grant solicitation issued in June.  Applicants submitted proposals for projects in the following categories:  Pre-Project Financial Assistance, Small-Scale Systems, Large-Scale Systems, and Special Demonstration Projects.  There was a maximum grant award of $25,000 for Pre-Project Financial Assistance, $60,000 for Small-Scale Systems, and $250,000 for all other projects.

“I’m very pleased by the response we received to our first grant solicitation for this program and the quality of the projects that were selected,” said O’Brien.  “These projects are a good step towards increasing clean energy generation in our state, which will have positive economic, societal, and environmental impacts.”

The following projects were selected for grant awards:

Pre-Project Financial Assistance:

• Greensboro Hydro Feasibility - Greensboro Town Energy Committee
• Biomass CHP System Evaluation at Otter Creek Brewing - Otter Creek Brewing
• Lyndon State College Biomass Plant with CHP potential - Lyndon State College
• Georgia Mountain Community Wind Project, VT - Environmental Research Associates
• Montpelier Community Energy System - City of Montpelier

Small-Scale Systems:

• A Demonstration of a 4.7 kW micro-CHP System - Steven Winter Associates
• Champlain College Carriage House CHP Project - Vermont Gas Systems

Large-Scale Systems:

• Westminster Farms Anaerobic Digester - Clayton Goodell
• Neighborhood Energy LLC Anaerobic Methane Digester - Neighborhood Energy, LLC
• Boucher BioPower LLC - Gilbert Boucher
• Gervais Family Farm Methane Biogas Project - Gervais Family
• Bennington Hydroelectric - Town of Bennington
• Gas-Watt Energy Williston Project - Gas-Watt Energy LLC
• Large-Scale Solar Energy System at Green Mtn. Coffee - Green Mtn. Coffee Roasters Inc. (Ed. Note: groSolar project, ~100 kW PV installation)
• Large-Scale Solar Energy System at RSD Companies - RSD Transportation, Inc (Ed note: groSolar project, ~100 kW PV installation)
• Southern VT Recreation Center Solar PV System - Southern VT Recreation Center

Special Demonstration Projects:

• AgNorth BioPower LLC - Guy Palardy

We went with a very broad and open approach to this grant round, and received an extremely strong set of proposals from diverse applicants, considering a broad variety of available technologies,” said Lawrence Miller, Chair of the CEDF Investment Committee.  “We feel this is a tremendously encouraging start for the CEDF, and look forward to making additional grant, loan and equity rounds available to put this money to work for the benefit of all Vermonters."

Additional information on the CEDF purpose and goals can be found in the CEDF Strategic Plan, which is available on the DPS website at:  http://publicservice.vermont.gov

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