Geographic Targeting
Efficiency Vermont directs energy efficiency efforts toward geographically targeted areas across the state to help relieve the electric load on constrained transmission and distribution systems.
A constrained transmission and distribution system is an area where the demand for power on the electric transmission and distribution facilities is at or near capacity during periods of peak demand. These peak demand periods typically occur during the hottest days of the summer or coldest days of the winter. As electricity demand increases, the need to take action—either to upgrade the electric transmission and distribution infrastructure or to reduce the load—becomes more critical.
Efficiency Vermont focuses on specific energy efficiency efforts for customers within these targeted territories. These efforts may include enhanced services or increased incentives to encourage efficiency measures. In addition to lowering the energy costs for participating homes and businesses, the energy savings from Geographic Targeting will reduce the overall peak demand for electricity. These efforts benefit all customers across the state by reducing expensive power supply purchases. If enough homes and businesses improve their electrical energy efficiency within these targeted areas, all Vermont electric ratepayers will benefit by avoiding the need for additional transmission and distribution upgrades.
The targeted territories were identified by the affected utilities—Green Mountain Power, Central Vermont Public Service, and the Vermont Electric Cooperative. They are: St. Albans and vicinity, most of Chittenden County, Rutland and vicinity, and the southern portion of Vermont from Bennington to Manchester to Brattleboro. About 73,000 homes and businesses were identified for targeting by the two utilities operating in these four areas.
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