NO. R-325.  House concurrent resolution congratulating the Burlington Electric Department on its receipt of a 2005 national Star of Energy Efficiency award.

(H.C.R.212)

Offered by:  Representatives Dostis of Waterbury, Acinapura of Brandon, Canfield of Fair Haven, Condon of Colchester, Darrow of Dummerston, Edwards of Brattleboro, Errecart of Shelburne, Houston of Ferrisburgh, Keenan of St. Albans City, Kitzmiller of Montpelier, Klein of East Montpelier, Krawczyk of Bennington, Larrabee of Danville, Marcotte of Coventry, Masland of Thetford, McCullough of Williston, Morley of Barton, Pellett of Chester, Pugh of S. Burlington, Reese of Pomfret, Shand of Weathersfield and Young of Orwell

Whereas, annually, the Alliance to Save Energy, a national organization that advocates energy efficiency and conservation, presents Stars of Energy Efficiency awards in several categories to organizations that have made meaningful contributions to energy efficiency, and

Whereas, in 2005, the Burlington Electric Department (BED), which in 2005 observed its centennial year of providing electric power to the city of Burlington, was selected as the winner of this prestigious national award in the electric generation category, and

Whereas, the alliance selected the BED “in recognition of its significant efforts and outstanding contribution to energy efficiency over the last 15 years,” and

Whereas, the BED has made amazing strides in its promotion of energy efficiency among the department’s residential and institutional customers, and

Whereas, despite the city’s significant commercial expansion over the last 15 years, in 2004, Burlington used less electricity than in 1989, a feat that was made possible through BED’s innovative leadership as a promoter of energy efficiency, and

Whereas, the department’s energy efficiency programs have been developed with both environmental protection and economic growth as key objectives, an investment in excess of $25 million, and

Whereas, from an environmental perspective, BED has assisted in avoiding the release of over 43,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually and estimates 645,000 tons will ultimately not be released due to the department’s pioneering efforts, and

Whereas, among the projects that contributed to this level of energy efficiency are the LEED certification process, high‑standard energy codes for buildings, and ISO-based load response programs designed to curtail demand for energy use during peak periods, and

Whereas, BED’s Executive Director, Barbara Grimes, and the department’s entire staff can take great pride in the extraordinary work which resulted in this national recognition, now therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives: 

That the General Assembly congratulates the Burlington Electric Department on its receipt of a national 2005 Star of Energy Efficiency award, and be it further

Resolved:  That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Barbara Grimes at the Burlington Electric Department.