Energy Action & Transportation Group
The Sustainable Woodstock Energy Action and Transportation Group (SWEAT) is an action group of Sustainable Woodstock. Its mission is to promote eco-friendly transportation options, energy efficiency, conservation and the development and use of renewable energy sources among the Town’s residents, businesses, and municipal affairs.
We meet monthly on the first Tuesday of the month at 6 PM, over zoom. Contact us at programs@sustainablewoodstock.org.
We assist the town in addressing the goals laid out in: the Woodstock Town Plan, the Woodstock Enhanced Energy Plan, the Town and Village of Woodstock Climate Emergency and Action Resolution, the Sierra Club “Ready for 100% commitment made by the Town, and the Vermont Global Warming Solutions Act (H. 688). These goals are accomplished through educational activities and programs, local advocacy, the collection and distribution of information and research materials, and the pursuit of funds to support our goals.
Achievements
We are a member of the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network. Some of our achievements include:
- Hosting educational programs on numerous topics, including: heat pumps, electric vehicles, composting and recycling, weatherization, soil health, public transportation and more
- Facilitating, in partnership with Rainbow Playschool, the creation of Woodstock’s (and Vermont’s) first Community Solar Array
- Organizing the energy audits of the Woodstock Town Hall, Town Garage, Old Town Garage, Welcome Center, Wastewater Treatment Plant, West Woodstock Fire Station
- Advocating for a contract with Energy Efficient Investments to perform energy upgrades and weatherization on six town buildings, reducing the Town’s carbon emissions by 12%
- Supporting an energy audit and transition to the first net zero ice rink for the Union Arena Community Center Initiating energy upgrades on the Emergency Services (EMS) building to prepare for a net zero energy building
- Creating the Intermunicipal Regional Energy Coordinator position to assist the towns of Strafford, Fairlee, Woodstock, Barnard, Sharon, and Thetford with achieving their energy plans
- Hosting e-bikes as part of the Upper Valley E-Bike Lending Library through Vital Communities, a free opportunity for residents to “check out” an e-bike to see how one might fit into their lifestyle
- Working with Change the World Kids and the fundraising team to plan, educate and advocate for the new Woodstock Middle and High School to become Vermont’s first net-zero school building
