Urban Soils Working Group (2014-2017)

Development projects located in downtowns and village centers frequently require the excavation and offsite disposal of soils. These excavated soils frequently contain low levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (“PAHs”), arsenic, and lead. The source of these PAHs and metals is often is due to area-wide atmospheric deposition of exhaust products from the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons including wood, oil, coal, gasoline, and garbage. As a result, PAHs and select metals are often found in soils associated with downtowns or village centers at concentrations that exceed Vermont Soil Standards and therefore require landfill disposal, which is quite expensive and results in some development projects being cost prohibitive.

VEC recognized this issue and formed the Urban Soils Work Group, which since 2014 has been actively working with DEC to evaluate the Vermont rules in a manner that could significantly reduce these costs, while maintaining the protection of human health and the environment. Kurt Muller P.E., Director of Site Investigation and Remediation at VHB and VEC Board Member since 2013, worked diligently with attorneys, State legislators, and DEC to draft legislation which was signed into law by the Governor in 2015. This legislation required DEC to promulgate rules that allowed for more cost effective, yet equally protective, alternatives to effectively manage urban soils.

Green Energy Times

VEC was included in the Green Energy Times article titled Regional Energy Organizations Lean into the Future with Long-term Goals, by Hope O’Shaughnessy.

Networking Event

VEC held its first Networking Event in 2017 at Green Mountain’s Power Energy Innovation Center.

Green Careers

VEC contracted with the State of Vermont Department of Labor to develop a Green Careers Website, providing a “one-stop shop” web portal to the latest information on starting or finding a career in the environmental business sector in Vermont. This website is no longer active.

Fall Trade Show

VEC held its first trade show: Celebrating Entrepreneurship in Vermont’s Environmental & Energy Business Sectors in Rutland, VT.

Elizabeth Mine Solar PV Pre Feasibility Study

VEC completed the Elizabeth Mine Solar PV Pre Feasibility Study, partnering with the Strafford Energy Commission, and published a final report.

Increasing Petroleum Cleanup Rates for Vermont Contractors

VEC conducted a survey and published final report of prevailing industry rates for environmental consulting, environmental equipment rental and laboratory analysis in an effort to update the reimbursement rates used for the Petroleum Cleanup Fund (PCF).

Vermont’s reimbursement rates to contractors that clean up petroleum pollution were well below prevailing regional rates. VEC conducted a survey of 88 labs and chemical & engineering firms. VEC then submitted its recommendations to the Vermont Dept. of Environmental Conservation, whereupon rates increased approximately 35%, benefiting firms statewide and keeping Vermont’s consulting and engineering sector competitive.

A Video Guide to Green Up Your Business

The Green Makeover – A Video Guide to Greening Up Your Business: Join Johnson Woolen Mills owner Stacy Manosh and special guest stars for a fun look at a real, point-by-point environmental assessment and retrofit process. Along the way, you’ll meet other business people who have installed new technologies and found some surprising ways to reduce environmental impact – all while improving their bottom line.

This 35-minute video features appearances by Sen. Patrick Leahy, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Willem Lange, and Rusty DeWees as well as original music by Jon Gailmor. It’s fun, informative, and it’s guaranteed to benefit all Vermont business owners and managers!

Vermont Tech Community Biodigester Feasibility Report

With the support of U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy and funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, the Clean Energy Development Fund, and the Vermont Department of Public Service, VEC developed a feasibility report for a biodigester heating plant for Vermont Technical College. The project was ultimately implemented.

Green Survey

VEC conducted a survey of Vermont’s environmental business sector. The project, funded by grants from the Vermont Community Foundation and the Redducs Foundation, established current conditions with respect to environmental business education and training needs and the opportunities and resources available in Vermont to meet those needs. The survey also addressed sustainability practices of businesses and educational institutions and the value to members and potential members of VEC. Responses were received from 250 firms and 100 educational and training institutions.

Brownfields Program Review

VEC coordinated a multi-stakeholder team to design improvements to Vermont’s brownfields program to encourage more brownfields remediation and redevelopment. Group members included environmental scientists and lawyers, regional planners, and developers.

VEC’s white paper resulted in statute that created a formal Brownfields Program Advisory committee to consider its specific recommendation. The committee’s November 2007 report to the legislature endorsed almost all of VEC’s recommendations, promising significant reform to Vermont’s brownfields program and the redevelopment of more of the state’s estimated 3,000 polluted and under-used properties.