BBD 2020

Keynote Address - Carbon Drawdown Now: Turning Buildings into Carbon Sinks

The information below is from the 2020 Conference which has passed. A preliminary schedule of events for the 2021 Conference will be posted in the fall.

With our Better Buildings by Design 2020 theme, “Affordable Energy,” in mind, we are pleased to announce this year’s keynote session, presented by Chris Magwood of the Endeavour Centre in Peterborough, Ontario, and Jacob Racusin and Ace McArleton of New Frameworks in Burlington, Vermont. They will kick off the conference February 5, 2020, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Burlington Hotel in South Burlington, Vermont.

Carbon Drawdown Now: Turning Buildings into Carbon Sinks will illuminate how buildings have the potential to become the world’s sixth carbon sink, rather than a leading emitter, and show clearly how building professionals’ work is essential for climate justice and social equity. In line with the conference theme, the presenters will look at the value and cost of decarbonizing our buildings, and the relationships between energy, materials, and climate.

The presentation will examine the theory of embodied carbon emissions and carbon storage in materials, how “energy” relates to “carbon,” the wide range of carbon-storing materials available now and those in the R&D phase, and the global potential for carbon storage in the built environment. A section on cost analysis and the decision-making process will spotlight real-world case studies of buildings that heavily incorporate carbon-storing materials, and show how climate-friendly solutions need not increase project costs. Strategies will be identified for both residential and non-residential projects, throughout different parts of the design and construction process, using different tools. During the keynote, the presenters will show how we can advance climate justice through the development of the built environment, and how our industry can partner with allied industries in agriculture and forestry to find solutions to social, ecological, and economic problems.

Participants will leave this keynote feeling reinvigorated in their work, eager to connect our community of practitioners with the wider network of change makers, and fired up to transform our built environment and our world.

About the Presenters:

photo of Chris Magwood Chris Magwood is the executive director of the Endeavour Centre, a not-for-profit sustainable building school in Ontario. In 1998 he co-founded Camel’s Back Construction, and as a contractor, designed and built more than 30 homes and commercial buildings, mostly with straw bales and often with renewable energy systems. Chris has authored seven books on sustainable building, and is currently working on an MA at Trent University, studying the carbon storage potential of the built environment.

photo of Ace McArleton Ace McArleton founded New Frameworks Natural Design/Build in 2006 to offer green remodeling and new construction services blending natural building materials and methods with high-performance design. Ace instructs in the Natural Building Certificate Program at the Yestermorrow School, is co-author of The Natural Building Companion (Chelsea Green, 2012), and led his business’s conversion to a worker cooperative in 2016. Ace is passionate about finding practical, regional solutions for building healthy, just communities.

photo of Jacob Racusin Jacob Deva Racusin is co-owner of New Frameworks, offering design, construction, consultation, and education services featuring low-impact high-performance building technologies. He is also program director of the certificate program in building science and net zero design at the Yestermorrow Design/Build School, and is a BPI-certified contractor. Jacob is the author of the books Essential Building Science and The Natural Building Companion.

Agenda

Wednesday, Feb. 5

All Day The Efficiency Excellence Network: One-on-One Social Media Consulting (open to EEN members only; advance registration required)
7:00am Exhibit Hall opens for registration and breakfast
8:30 – 10:00 Opening Session
  - Welcome
- Efficiency Vermont Awards
- Keynote Address: Carbon Drawdown Now: Turning Buildings into Carbon Sinks
10:00 – 10:20 Refreshment break in Exhibit Hall
10:20 – 11:50 Workshops
10:30 – 11:30 Bosch Inverted Ducted Split System Heat Pumps
11:50 – 1:20 Lunch
12:15 – 1:00 The Efficiency Excellence Network: An Overview of Benefits and Requirements
1:20 – 2:50 Workshops
1:30 – 2:30 Drain Water Heat Recovery Technology and Application Review with Case Studies
2:50 – 3:15 Refreshment break in Exhibit Hall
3:15 – 4:45 Workshops
3:30 – 4:30 Innovations in Water Heating
4:00 – 7:00 Exhibit Hall open to public
4:45 – 7:00 Evening reception – all welcome to attend 

Thursday, Feb. 6

All Day The Efficiency Excellence Network: One-on-One Social Media Consulting (open to EEN members only; advance registration required)
7:30am Exhibit Hall opens for registration and breakfast
9:00 – 10:30 Workshops
9:30 – 10:30 Submitting Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Projects through the Online Rebate Center
10:30 – 11:00 Refreshment break in Exhibit Hall
11:00 – 12:30pm Workshops
11:00 – 12:00pm Best Practices for ZIP System and ZIP System R Sheathing Installation
12:30 – 1:45 Lunch
12:45 – 1:30 The Efficiency Excellence Network: An Overview of Benefits and Requirements
1:30 – 3:30 Exhibit Hall open to public
1:45 – 3:15 Workshops
2:00 – 3:00 Refrigeration Refresher and Heatcraft Controls
3:15 – 3:30 Refreshment break in Exhibit Hall
3:30 Exhibit Hall closes
3:30 – 5:00 Workshops
5:00pm Conference Adjourns

Attend the workshops to earn continuing education credits.. Credit approval is listed after each session description.

Printable final program (PDF)

10:20 - 11:50am Wednesday, February 5
  • Quality Assurance for Low-Pressure Disposable Foam Systems

    Enclosure, Residential
    • Henri Fennell, Jr., HC Fennell Consulting, LLC

    One and two-part portable foam systems ('kits and cans') are used by do-it-yourselfers, contractors, and spray foam installers alike. These versatile disposable products allow users to do small or intermittent applications where bulk foam installations are not cost effective, or in remote locations where using bulk foam is not possible. How these systems work and why they can be problematic is discussed in detail. Instruction about how to properly prepare and use kits and cans is provided, along with photos and demonstrations of accessories that improve their efficiency and effectiveness, while maintaining product quality and convenience.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Emerald 2

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Henri Fennell, Jr.

      Henri Fennell, Jr.

      Henri Fennell is a building envelope specialist and architect with 45 years of experience in energy conservation design, manufactured products, and services. His work with polyurethane foam began during the energy crisis of the 1970s. His experience has included being a practicing architect, a building envelope consultant, and a remediation and commissioning consultant. Major historic projects include the Guggenheim Museum. He has designed several micro-load buildings, including a net-zero energy research structure in Antarctica.

  • Understanding Basic Dew Point Calculations for High-Performance Basement, Walls, and Roof Systems

    Enclosure, Residential
    • David Johnston, David Johnston & Co, Representing Maine Indoor Air Quality Council
    • William Turner, Representing: Maine Indoor Air Quality Council

    The presentation will focus on explaining what’s involved in a dew point (condensation point) calculation in a proposed basement, wall, or roof system and the very basic practical approach for doing the calculation. More advanced methods will also be covered. The attendee should come away with a basic understanding of the risk of failure involved with constructing high-performance walls for cold climates and why careful consideration is needed if building science rules of thumb, or detailed code prescriptive standards, are not followed.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Introductory
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Emerald 1

    About the Speaker(s)
    • David Johnston

      David Johnston

      David Johnston, president emeritus of David Johnston & Company, based in Gorham, Maine, has a lifetime of experience with teaching and building construction. For 40-plus years he has been involved with the design and construction of high-performance residential buildings located in cold climates. He has been asked to solve building science problems in multiple residential settings. He remains an adjunct instructor for Central Maine Community College, teaching basic building science and estimating.

    • William Turner

      William Turner

      William Turner is the president emeritus of Turner Building Science and Design in Harrison, Maine. He has a lifetime of experience with building diagnostics and construction. For 40-plus years he has been involved with further learning in the design, construction, and commissioning of a wide variety of building systems. He has been asked to solve building science and air quality problems and conducted a variety of testing in most types of buildings.

  • Construction Phase Carbon Impact

    Commercial, Commercial
    • Megan Nedzinski, Vermont Integrated Architecture, PC
    • Amy Sheldon, Landslide, Inc.
    • Ashar Nelson, Vermont Integrated Architecture

    Our region has made great strides in advancing high-performance, zero-energy building practices; however, construction projects rarely quantify, or even consider, carbon during construction. Current Vermont policy initiatives and programs continue to push projects to meet 2050 climate goals (Act 250, Tier III programs, etc.) while project delivery decisions remain blind to community and environmental impacts, staying focused on time and money. Presenters will share insights into current policy initiatives and programs, lead an interactive discussion of key construction phase carbon considerations, and demonstrate how greater consideration of these key elements could help shift owners’ construction stage decision making toward positive change in a more holistic way.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Diamond 1

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Megan Nedzinski

      Megan Nedzinski

      Megan Nedzinski is an architect, LEED AP, and certified Passive House consultant with Vermont Integrated Architecture. Megan considers emerging research, applied technology, and the surrounding environment to deliver high-performing projects. The focus of her work both professionally and academically is to analyze and communicate the relative benefits of various design strategies. Megan was a member of the wood science faculty at West Virginia University, and continues to teach through various community outreach events and at Yestermorrow Design/Build School.

    • Amy  Sheldon

      Amy Sheldon

      Amy Sheldon is a Natural Resource Planner at Landslide, Inc., with over 30 years of experience working on conservation, restoration and planning projects in Vermont. Elected to the Vermont House as one of Middlebury’s two Representatives in 2015, she is currently the Chair of the Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife Committee and an active member of the Climate Caucus.

    • Ashar Nelson

      Ashar Nelson

      Ashar Nelson is a lifelong Vermonter with more than two decades of experience in design and construction. As a principal architect at Vermont Integrated Architecture and occasional faculty in the architectural studies program at Middlebury College, he is committed to promoting sustainable building designs and innovative construction methods. Ashar believes that an integrated design process, representing building users, constructors, estimators, and craftspeople, as well as design professionals, is essential in achieving high-performance buildings.

  • When Persistence Pays Off: A retrospective of early adoption of ASHRAE Guideline 36

    Commercial, Commercial
    • Henry Stehmeyer, Cx Associates

    ASHRAE's Guideline 36 standard HVAC sequences of operations reduce engineering time, increase energy savings, improve indoor air quality, and normalize terminology and concepts between trades. Three years ago, UVMMC implemented these sequences at their Fanny Allen building. Now they have the results from that implementation, the energy savings, and the lessons learned. Come listen to our story, see the results presented by ownership and implementers. Learn how HVAC controls sequence refinement is an efficiency measure with big potential to move the industry toward efficiency goals. We'll show you a new HVAC controls approach and how it produced persistent energy savings.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Advanced
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Diamond 2

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Henry Stehmeyer

      Henry Stehmeyer

      Henry “Rick” Stehmeyer is a senior engineer at Cx Associates in Burlington, Vermont. Rick is an expert in HVAC controls and the former head of software department for a major controls contracting firm in New England. He has almost two decades of experience as a systems integrator, commissioning agent, and installer of major name-brand building automation systems across a wide range of markets including New York City, New Jersey, and Vermont.

  • Fixing Existing Homes (Part 1)

    Enclosure, Residential
    • David Keefe, Efficiency Vermont / VEIC

    In 2008, Vermont adopted a goal to weatherize 80,000 homes by 2020, with average 25% savings. We are woefully behind. Currently we fix roughly 2,000 homes per year, with average savings of less than 25%. In this session, the presenter will outline how this work is done, what opportunities exist for doing more of it, and how we can do it better. We’ll start with some lessons about indoor air quality, carbon monoxide, ventilation, and moisture learned over the 30 or so years that the weatherization industry has existed. We will discuss the state of the diagnostics art, the tools and techniques we use to figure out what to do. Then we will move to the hands-on work itself, practical things we are doing in Vermont homes to make them work better. We will wrap up with some challenges that the industry faces, including staffing and sales. This session is appropriate for those already doing this work, those considering getting into it, and anyone who wants to better understand how it is done.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Emerald 3

    About the Speaker(s)
    • David Keefe

      David Keefe

      David Keefe of VEIC/Efficiency Vermont is a former contractor and a well-known teacher with 34 years of experience in making homes work better. He has delivered over 1,000 sessions and is known as a personable and friendly teacher who loves to answer questions. In 2011, he was honored by ACI Inc. as one of “the 25 most instrumental people in building the home performance industry,” and in 2017 he was awarded the Linda Wigington Leadership Award by the Home Performance Coalition.

  • Solar Fire Investigation Analysis: The Unintended Consequence of Reflective Low-E Glass Technology

    Crossroads, Commercial
    • Curt M. Freedman, CMF Engineering, Inc

    Low-E glass windows are also referred to as insulated glass units (IGU). In this session, the presenter will explain how a combination of factors can result in the IGUs becoming concave and parabolic in shape. The reflective metallic coating causes the IGUs to reflect concentrated sunlight with focal lengths of 15–60 feet. It has been determined that the concentrated reflected light of three times direct sunlight could easily melt vinyl siding, and 12 times direct sunlight could ignite fires, with corresponding absorbed blackbody temperatures of more than 532 degrees F.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Amphitheatre

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Curt M. Freedman

      Curt M. Freedman

      Curt Freedman, president of CMF Engineering, Inc., is a registered professional engineer in 12 states, a consultant, and a senior member of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers. He is also an adjunct professor at Western New England University (in Springfield, Massachusetts) and a published author in solar energy.

1:20 - 2:50pm Wednesday, February 5
  • The Future of Water Heating: Hybrid Water Heaters, Smart Home Applications and Grid Optimization

    Building Systems, Residential
    • Diane Cabral, Rheem Water Heaters

    Heat pump technology has been around for decades. This presentation will discuss why Heat Pump water heaters should be THE electric water heater solution in both residential and multifamily applications. Learn how hybrid heat pump water heaters function and the added benefits they bring. With built in Wi-Fi connectivity, this technology is adding a whole new level of control for homeowners and end users and allows for seamless integration of demand response programs for utilities. These units also have a significant impact on HERS and other home efficiency measurements. This is the future of water heating.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Introductory
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Emerald 2

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Diane Cabral

      Diane Cabral

      Diane Cabral is Rheem’s Northeast and mid-Atlantic region manager with the utilities division, focusing on promoting highly efficient products and bridging the gap between consumers, distributors, and utility incentives/programs. Rheem is currently forging partnerships for better grid management and promoting solutions for green homes and optimal HERS scores.

  • A Case Study On An Urban-Infill, Net-Positive, Foam Free, Passive House project.

    Enclosure, Residential
    • Arthur Chukhman, Duncan Wisniewski Architecture
    • Jacob Deva Racusin, New Frameworks
    • Chris West, Eco Houses of Vermont

    This presentation features a case study of Burlington's first certified Passive House project, which is modeled to be net-positive in operation energy. This addition to an existing duplex is built with foam-free construction with a focus on low carbon materials. The team will share their design process, which includes an embodied carbon analysis to compare different insulation strategies, as well as a cost analysis to select the wall system.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Diamond 2

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Arthur Chukhman

      Arthur Chukhman

      Arthur Chukhman is an architect and certified Passive House designer at Duncan Wisniewski Architecture, a firm that has done many high-performance multifamily projects in Vermont. In his role as the office sustainability coordinator, he has worked to optimize envelope details and promote the use of low-carbon materials. Arthur is a board member of the Burlington 2030 District and is the coordinator of the Northern Vermont Building Science Group.

    • Jacob Deva Racusin

      Jacob Deva Racusin

      Jacob Deva Racusin is co-owner of New Frameworks, offering design, construction, consultation, and education services featuring low-impact high-performance building technologies. Jacob is Program Director of the Certificate in Building Science and Net Zero Design at the Yestermorrow Design/Build School, and is a BPI-certified contractor. Jacob is the author of the books Essential Building Science and The Natural Building Companion.

    • Chris West

      Chris West

      Chris West has been a certified Passive House consultant (CPHC) since 2011 and a PHIUS CPHC trainer since 2018. Chris has been a longtime advocate for superinsulated houses as a path toward reduced carbon emissions, heightened comfort, healthy environments, and safe living spaces. His small consultancy has been involved in many certified and un-certified houses and multifamily projects in Vermont, New Hampshire, and elsewhere.

  • Selling Lower-Cost High-Performance Building Envelopes

    Commercial, Commercial
    • Henri Fennell, Jr., HC Fennell Consulting, LLC

    This session will introduce a proven marketing strategy for designing and constructing high-performance building envelopes/enclosures at a lower overall up-front construction cost. It will highlight the importance of integrated design and performance guarantees in the construction of more sustainable, energy-efficient commercial buildings that reduce energy use, fossil fuel emissions, and life-of-the-building operating costs. The presenter will provide an overview of a comprehensive cost-reduction protocol (CRP) that takes economic advantage of the energy performance realized in building envelope designs with guaranteed low air leakage rates.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Advanced
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Diamond 1

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Henri Fennell, Jr.

      Henri Fennell, Jr.

      Henri Fennell is a building envelope specialist and architect with 45 years of experience in energy conservation design, manufactured products, and services. His work with polyurethane foam began during the energy crisis of the 1970s. His experience has included being a practicing architect, a building envelope consultant, and a remediation and commissioning consultant. Major historic projects include the Guggenheim Museum. He has designed several micro-load buildings, including a net-zero energy research structure in Antarctica.

  • Doing Better for Less: R-30 Walls and Beyond—High Performance, Less Cost

    Enclosure, Residential
    • David Johnston, David Johnston & Co, Representing Maine Indoor Air Quality Council
    • William Turner, Representing: Maine Indoor Air Quality Council

    There are many ways to design and construct a high-performance wall insulation system that would meet or exceed the 2015 IECC code intent. This presentation will focus on a wall insulation system that, in the presenters’ opinion, is the easiest to implement and most cost-effective approach for cold climates, where much of the year is cold and wet and summertime can be hot and humid. The approach has been implemented in a variety of building types.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Emerald 1

    About the Speaker(s)
    • David Johnston

      David Johnston

      David Johnston, president emeritus of David Johnston & Company, based in Gorham, Maine, has a lifetime of experience with teaching and building construction. For 40-plus years he has been involved with the design and construction of high-performance residential buildings located in cold climates. He has been asked to solve building science problems in multiple residential settings. He remains an adjunct instructor for Central Maine Community College, teaching basic building science and estimating.

    • William Turner

      William Turner

      William Turner is the president emeritus of Turner Building Science and Design in Harrison, Maine. He has a lifetime of experience with building diagnostics and construction. For 40-plus years he has been involved with further learning in the design, construction, and commissioning of a wide variety of building systems. He has been asked to solve building science and air quality problems and conducted a variety of testing in most types of buildings.

  • Ensuring Your Energy Remains Affordable, Using Existing Data for Energy Optimization

    Building Systems, Commercial
    • Charles Van Winkle, Housing Vermont

    This is an overview of the tools developed by Housing Vermont, namely the Parsons Platform, to leverage the emerging Internet of Things so as to optimize building energy consumption. The Parsons Platform works as a complement to a traditional building management system (BMS) by aggregating available data, presenting it in a visual format, and providing the opportunity to study equipment operation. By using a relational database, the platform allows for an expeditious presentation of system functionality with a long-term perspective. Housing Vermont is using the Parsons Platform to validate its life-cycle cost decisions in equipment selection.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Amphitheatre

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Charles Van Winkle

      Charles Van Winkle

      Prior to his current role as director of energy services at Housing Vermont, Charles Van Winkle held several positions in the renewables industry, including leadership positions with a local energy storage integrator, utility solar monitoring company, community-scale (100 kW) wind turbine manufacturer, and off-grid power systems integrator. Charlie’s microgrid experience includes offshore oil and gas platforms, oil pipelines in Papua New Guinea and Georgia, and wind diesel installations in western Alaska.

  • Fixing Existing Homes (Part 2)

    Enclosure, Residential
    • David Keefe, Efficiency Vermont / VEIC

    In 2008, Vermont adopted a goal to weatherize 80,000 homes by 2020, with average 25% savings. We are woefully behind. Currently we fix roughly 2,000 homes per year, with average savings of less than 25%. In this session, the presenter will outline how this work is done, what opportunities exist for doing more of it, and how we can do it better. We’ll start with some lessons about indoor air quality, carbon monoxide, ventilation, and moisture learned over the 30 or so years that the weatherization industry has existed. We will discuss the state of the diagnostics art, the tools and techniques we use to figure out what to do. Then we will move to the hands-on work itself, practical things we are doing in Vermont homes to make them work better. We will wrap up with some challenges that the industry faces, including staffing and sales. This session is appropriate for those already doing this work, those considering getting into it, and anyone who wants to better understand how it is done.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Emerald 3

    About the Speaker(s)
    • David Keefe

      David Keefe

      David Keefe of VEIC/Efficiency Vermont is a former contractor and a well-known teacher with 34 years of experience in making homes work better. He has delivered over 1,000 sessions and is known as a personable and friendly teacher who loves to answer questions. In 2011, he was honored by ACI Inc. as one of “the 25 most instrumental people in building the home performance industry,” and in 2017 he was awarded the Linda Wigington Leadership Award by the Home Performance Coalition.

3:15 - 4:45pm Wednesday, February 5
  • Drill, Baby, Drill! Residential Geothermal: Can it Scale?

    Building Systems, Residential
    • Ryan Dougherty, Geothermal Exchange Organization
    • Kathy Hannun, Dandelion Energy
    • Gretchen Schimelpfenig, Burlington Electric Department
    • Jake Marin, Efficiency Vermont

    Ground source heat pump (GSHP) – or geothermal heat pump – systems are the most efficient heating and cooling systems available and an effective strategy for decarbonizing buildings. GSHPs can eliminate fossil fuel heating and domestic hot water systems, greatly reduce CO2 emissions and electric peak demand, and can help our state achieve the goals of our Comprehensive Energy Plan. Over the past decade, innovative new business models have emerged and hold out the promise to move geothermal from a boutique technology to an affordable HVAC solution for all. In Vermont, there are barriers to address to improve affordability and develop the supply chain. Can we scale geothermal in Vermont like we are seeing in other states and Canada?

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Introductory
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Diamond 1

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Ryan Dougherty

      Ryan Dougherty

      Ryan Dougherty has served as GEO’s chief operating officer since 2014. He has extensive experience in public policy and governance and most recently served as deputy director of the Illinois Healthcare and Human Services Framework, a multi-agency state technology initiative. Prior to that position, he served as senior policy advisor at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. He has worked in a number of other positions within state government, including as a budget analyst in the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget and as a legislative liaison to the governor of Illinois. Ryan holds a B.A. in psychology from the University of Illinois.

    • Kathy Hannun

      Kathy Hannun

      Kathy Hannun is the co-founder and CEO of Dandelion Energy, the nation’s leading home geothermal company. Prior to Dandelion, Kathy worked as a rapid evaluator at Alphabet’s X lab. Kathy has been recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business, MIT Tech Review’s 35 under 35, Albany Business Review’s 40 under 40, and a “Leader of Tomorrow.” Kathy graduated from Stanford with a B.S. in civil engineering and an M.S. in computer science.

    • Gretchen Schimelpfenig

      Gretchen Schimelpfenig

      Gretchen Schimelpfenig is an Energy Services Engineer at the Burlington Electric Department, the energy efficiency utility serving Burlington, Vermont. She previously worked as a commissioning engineer and developed field expertise with geothermal heat pump systems. In 2014, the U.S. Green Building Council published her research paper “Opportunities for Utilizing Geothermal Resources in the United States.” Gretchen is a licensed Civil Professional Engineer and graduated from Stanford with a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering with a specialty in Sustainable Design and Construction.

    • Jake Marin

      Jake Marin

      Jake Marin is the HVAC and Refrigeration Program Manager for Efficiency Vermont. Moving into this role in 2014, he quickly began the process of restructuring how EVT supports HVAC for residential and commercial customers. In his tenure, he has ceased all support of fossil fuel heating system equipment, while refocusing resources on renewable thermal technologies such as heat pumps and advanced wood heating. He works closely with the supply chain to ensure that the most efficient products are available and that installers have the training they need to sell and install efficient equipment. Additionally, he has worked with an exceptional team to increase EVT’s involvement with commercial refrigeration, transforming what was a fringe activity, into one of the major ways EVT helps small to large businesses save large amounts of energy and make them more economically viable. In prior roles, Jake has been an energy consultant, a contractor and an entrepreneur. He brings this experience and a good deal of enthusiasm to his work, transforming the way Vermonters do building mechanical. Management, Jake has been integrating these concepts into our programmatic offerings.

  • Lessons from Large Scale Hippie Design Build Projects in the 70s

    Building Systems, Residential
    • Bill Maclay, Maclay Architects
    • John Rahill, Black River Design, Architects

    Goddard College and the Dimetrodon Group at Prickly Mountain built some special buildings under the guidance of architect David Sellers at Goddard and Bill Maclay, Jim Sanford, and Dick Travers at Dimetrodon. These were some of the largest design-as-you-build projects ever undertaken, and it was an exciting time. The presenters will show these projects and discuss the benefits and limitations of this development model, as well as share specific lessons learned and changes since that time in our understanding of energy efficiency.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Emerald 2

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Bill Maclay

      Bill Maclay

      Bill Maclay, the founder and president of Maclay Architects, has lectured or taught at many colleges and universities. He has a B.A. from Williams College and a master of architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a past president of the Vermont chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Bill has been involved in research on all aspects of environmental design, including sustainable design, indoor air quality, building science, and materials selection.

    • John Rahill

      John Rahill

      John Rahill is founder of Black River Design, Architects (BRD) of Montpelier, Vermont. BRD was started in 1978 and has grown to an office of 18 people. John’s career has been committed to sustainable and high-performance design with an emphasis on durability, aesthetics, and occupant comfort. John is a graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Design and has served as president of the Vermont Chapter of the AIA and the Solar Association of Vermont.

  • Encouraging Building Airtightness: A New Five-Story Building in Maine

    Enclosure, Commercial
    • Frederick McKnight, Turner Building Science and Design, LLC

    In 2019, the presenters completed a building enclosure commissioning program on a five-story building in Bangor, Maine. The building is a new structure housing offices and a computer center. The design intent was to build a very energy-efficient building. The structure was tested for airtightness. The goal was 0.25 CFM/sq. ft. at 75 Pascal pressure difference, and the tested result was 0.04 CFM/sq. ft. The design included a modern wall structure, a roof with minimal penetrations, and a poured concrete basement (walls and floors). The enclosure assembly was composed of standard, readily available components. This session explains how these results were accomplished.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Emerald 1

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Frederick McKnight

      Frederick McKnight

      Frederick McKnight has specialized in the energy-efficient design of HVAC systems. His commitment to energy efficiency and superior indoor air quality has led to a focus on building enclosures and the migration of air and moisture through them. Fred has commissioning experience with high-performance buildings, conventional buildings, and specialized building enclosures. He is currently the commissioning agent for a number of large buildings on campuses throughout New England.

  • Innovations in Zero Energy Modular (ZEM)

    Crossroads, Residential
    • Peter Schneider, VEIC

    Factory-built housing continues to expand, particularly in the high-performance and affordable housing markets. Vermont’s zero energy modular (ZEM) initiative is one way the state is demonstrating how we can meet our energy and affordable housing goals in the building sector. The ZEM effort continues to evolve and innovate as it faces new challenges. This session will take an in-depth look at the ongoing effort to gain traction in the housing market. It will consider all aspects of ZEM projects and highlight successes and failures, thermal envelope and HVAC innovations, hurdles to overcome, and the outlook for the future.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Emerald 3

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Peter Schneider

      Peter Schneider

      Peter Schneider provides technical support to builders, architects, engineers, affordable housing agencies, and homeowners participating in Efficiency Vermont certified high-performance homes, LEED for homes, and Passive House programs. Peter’s objective is to help clients design and construct more energy-efficient, healthful, durable, and sustainable buildings. He runs Vermont’s zero energy modular (ZEM) program and offers technical support to VEIC-led ZEM projects nationwide.

  • Demystifying Digital Marketing: What Tactics Work for Home Performance and What Should You Be Spending?

    Crossroads, Residential
    • Peter Troast, Energy Circle

    The digital advertising and lead generation landscapes have changed dramatically as they affect home performance and HVAC businesses. Google launches new products, paid search continues to grow more complex, the third-party review landscape is changing, and Facebook retains its dominance. These factors present a significant opportunity for contractors to lower marketing costs and better the bottom line. While implementing these updates and remaining vigilant about growth opportunities, business owners must ask: What are we comfortable paying for a lead, and is that lead exclusive? What is the likelihood that lead will turn into an estimate or job? We will discuss these and other questions.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Introductory
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Diamond 2

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Peter Troast

      Peter Troast

      Peter Troast is the founder and CEO of Energy Circle, a team of digital marketing experts and strategists who work with more than 350 HVAC, solar, insulation, and home performance companies. He is a passionate advocate for the power of the whole house home performance business model, and is a popular and high-ranking speaker about marketing for contractors. In 2015, he received the Tony Woods Award for excellence in advancing the home performance industry.

  • Deep and Holistic Energy Efficiency Applications

    Building Systems, Commercial
    • Thomas Durkin, Durkin and Villalta Partners Engineering

    The presenter was a panelist on the April 2018 ASHRAE webcast “Making Energy Efficiency a Reality.” This session will examine four case studies featured in the webcast in much greater detail, two of which won ASHRAE Technology Awards. All of them demonstrate “outside the box” thinking that resulted in better buildings with exceptional efficiency and without increased cost. The presenter will concentrate on the successful application of technology transfer and integrating multiple HVAC concepts into coherent systems.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Amphitheatre

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Thomas Durkin

      Thomas Durkin

      Thomas Durkin is senior partner of Durkin and Villalta Partners Engineering. Recognized for innovation and creativity, he is a nationally sought-after speaker and promoter of energy-smart systems. He has either invented or pioneered the implementation of nine distinct HVAC innovations, all of which save energy and reduce pollution. Tom’s design work has won 12 state, national, and international awards, including two ASHRAE Technology Awards. He has written many articles for the ASHRAE Journal and other industry magazines, and is a co-author of the HVAC Pump Handbook, the definitive text on all things hydronic.

9:00 - 10:30am Thursday, February 6
  • Non-Energy Benefits—Three Exciting New Programs at Efficiency Vermont

    Commercial, Commercial
    • Lauren Morlino, Efficiency Vermont
    • Ali White, VEIC

    This presentation will explore the non-energy benefits associated with three new Efficiency Vermont programs: Whole Building Controls (energy efficiency, optimized space utilization, asset management, etc.), Refrigerant Leak Detection and Remediation (energy efficiency, carbon savings, equipment reliability, product safety), Indoor Agriculture (energy efficiency, product quality, building health). We will show energy efficiency measures as one factor among many motivating customers to undertake projects.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Emerald 1

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Lauren Morlino

      Lauren Morlino

      Lauren Morlino researches and prototypes exciting, innovative, and efficient technologies and services for Vermont ratepayers. During her last six years at Efficiency Vermont, Lauren has researched and designed initiatives for lighting, controls, and consumer electronics. She is an external advisor on lighting program design, and has published on lighting and non-lighting topics. Lauren has presented at national conferences including ACEEE, DesignLights Consortium, and Esource.

    • Ali White

      Ali White

      Ali White, CEM, is an energy consultant in VEIC’s engineering division, providing technical analysis and project management to commercial and industrial customers. Her skill set includes conducting energy audits, identifying innovative and cost-effective energy efficiency measures, and project prioritization through comprehensive energy and non-energy benefit analyses. Ali provides refrigeration, HVAC, lighting, and process efficiency services to the grocery, brewery, and dairy manufacturing sectors, with a specific focus on refrigerant management, refrigerant conversion, and leak repair in large refrigeration systems.

  • The Evolution of Mid-Rise Design: Increasing Opportunities with Wood

    Enclosure, Commercial
    • Ricky McLain, WoodWorks

    Increasingly, wood buildings of five, six and more stories are rising up among traditional concrete and steel shells as designers and developers embrace timber's vast potential for lower costs, faster installation, and a significantly lighter carbon footprint. Through the use of project examples, this session will illustrate trends in both residential and commercial mid-rise buildings. Topics will include current code allowances that offer opportunities for taller buildings, design strategies for improved building performance and code-compliant options for meeting fire and life safety requirements.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Amphitheatre

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Ricky McLain

      Ricky McLain

      Ricky McLain is WoodWorks’ in-house expert on tall wood buildings, providing analysis and guidance on architectural, fire and life safety, and structural design topics related to tall mass timber projects. He supports the architecture, engineering, and construction community both directly and collaboratively and guides the development of education and resources related to tall wood buildings. Ricky is executive director of the Structural Engineers Association of Vermont, and a member of numerous committees and councils related to building design.

  • 2020 HVAC, a Showcase of Emerging Systems

    Building Systems, Residential
    • Matt Sargent, VEIC
    • Jake Marin, Efficiency Vermont

    2020 HVAC is a technology overview/showcase. Today’s market offers many new systems, and it can be confusing for professionals trying to stay current. The session will examine a catalog of residential HVAC system types and give recommendations and best practices for each system. This presentation will cover complete domestic hot water solutions, ventilation systems with integrated distribution, centrally ducted heat pumps, air-to-water heat pumps, mini-split heat pumps, and advanced wood heating systems. It will explore best practices for integrating new technologies with existing systems and how to use controls to optimize system performance.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Emerald 3

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Matt Sargent

      Matt Sargent

      Matt Sargent is a senior energy consultant at Efficiency Vermont, where he helps Vermonters build energy-efficient buildings. With over 30 years of experience as a builder and energy consultant, Matt has a passion for integrating advanced building envelopes with the right systems to ensure efficiency, comfort, health, and longevity. Recent work at Efficiency Vermont has allowed him to dive deep into residential HVAC systems.

    • Jake Marin

      Jake Marin

      Jake Marin is the HVAC and Refrigeration Program Manager for Efficiency Vermont. Moving into this role in 2014, he quickly began the process of restructuring how EVT supports HVAC for residential and commercial customers. In his tenure, he has ceased all support of fossil fuel heating system equipment, while refocusing resources on renewable thermal technologies such as heat pumps and advanced wood heating. He works closely with the supply chain to ensure that the most efficient products are available and that installers have the training they need to sell and install efficient equipment. Additionally, he has worked with an exceptional team to increase EVT’s involvement with commercial refrigeration, transforming what was a fringe activity, into one of the major ways EVT helps small to large businesses save large amounts of energy and make them more economically viable. In prior roles, Jake has been an energy consultant, a contractor and an entrepreneur. He brings this experience and a good deal of enthusiasm to his work, transforming the way Vermonters do building mechanical. Management, Jake has been integrating these concepts into our programmatic offerings.

  • Ensuring Demand for Efficiency Over Time: Energy Education in Vermont

    Crossroads, Residential
    • Andy Shapiro, Energy Balance
    • Cara Robechek, Vermont Energy Education Program

    Educating youth is critical to combating climate change and ensuring a growing market for efficiency and renewables. The Vermont Energy Education Program provides learning experiences for K-12 students throughout Vermont and New Hampshire, using the best hands-on science teaching techniques to engage students’ curiosity to understand energy and climate science. Students’ inventiveness and passion for the environment are engaged in actually making change in their schools, their homes, and their own energy use. Participants will see the tools being brought into schools and be inspired by what the next generation is learning.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Introductory
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Diamond 1

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Andy Shapiro

      Andy Shapiro

      Andy Shapiro has provided high-performance building energy analysis, design, and monitoring consulting services for more than 30 years. He provides guidance and technical expertise along the path of conceptualization, design, construction, commissioning, and post-occupancy assessment for optimizing environmental impact, indoor environmental quality, operating and maintenance costs, and building durability. He is also the director of science and engineering for the Vermont Energy Education Program, teaching energy literacy to the next generation.

    • Cara Robechek

      Cara Robechek

      Cara Robechek is the Executive Director of Vermont Energy Education Program (VEEP) and its New Hampshire Energy Education Project (NHEEP). Cara has been with VEEP since 2014. Prior to her work at VEEP, she spent eight years teaching courses such as Environmental Communication, Environmental Economics, Current Environmental Issues, and Children, Health and Environment for Community College of Vermont, Johnson State College, and the University of Vermont. Cara worked in nonprofit development and management at the Center for Whole Communities in Waitsfield, VT, as well as serving on the board of Planting Hope, as an elected Parks Commissioner for the City of Montpelier, and as a member of the Montpelier Energy Advisory Committee. Cara has a BA in Environmental Studies from Dartmouth College, and an MS in Renewable Natural Resources and Development from the University of East Anglia. She lives in Montpelier with her husband and two children, and enjoys playing on or in water, walking and cross-country skiing in the woods, and listening to her children playing music.

  • Healthy Homes & Home Performance: Making the Homeowner Connection

    Enclosure, Residential
    • Peter Troast, Energy Circle

    One of the greatest challenges the home performance industry faces is how to connect consumer demand for healthy homes with private market opportunities for home performance improvement. The demand for and awareness of healthy homes continues to grow, but few homeowners connect health issues with the systems that make up their home. The presenter will explain the trajectory of the healthy homes movement within home performance, and unpack how contractors can bridge this communication gap with homeowners, as well as cover the foundations of a healthier home business and marketing strategy.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Introductory
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Emerald 2

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Peter Troast

      Peter Troast

      Peter Troast is the founder and CEO of Energy Circle, a team of digital marketing experts and strategists who work with more than 350 HVAC, solar, insulation, and home performance companies. He is a passionate advocate for the power of the whole house home performance business model, and is a popular and high-ranking speaker about marketing for contractors. In 2015, he received the Tony Woods Award for excellence in advancing the home performance industry.

  • Lean Thinking Applied to All Energy Usage

    Commercial, Commercial
    • Kevin Vidmar, Loureiro Engineering Associates

    This presentation will discuss typical "LEAN" principles, and then apply these principles to energy reduction at all sorts of different sites. Attendees will learn that "LEAN" does not just apply to manufacturing, but applies to all of life, and especially energy. Among other things, this presentation will discuss value-add, versus non-value-add, and also normal and abnormal energy usage. Specific examples will be shown for industry, commercial, hospital, and residential settings.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Diamond 2

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Kevin Vidmar

      Kevin Vidmar

      Kevin Vidmar is the vice president of energy services for Loureiro Engineering Associates. He has more than 30 years of industrial experience, working with worldwide sites on their energy reduction opportunities. He has a bachelor’s degree from Miami University and a master’s degree from Vanderbilt University, and is a certified energy manager, certified energy auditor, and certified professional in energy management systems.

11:00am - 12:30pm Thursday, February 6
  • Good Enough—Hitting the Energy Jackpot

    Building Systems, Residential
    • Samantha Dunn, Housing Vermont
    • Gregg Gossens, gbA
    • Jon Haehnel, BVH Integrated Services, P.C.
    • Steve Poole, VHV

    Wentworth Community Housing is a 30-unit new construction mixed-income housing project developed by Twin Pines Housing and Housing Vermont, designed by gbA, and constructed by ReArch Company. The team’s goal from the beginning was to create a building with a high-performance shell; an aggressive air-sealing target; and a simple, low-life-cycle-cost HVAC system to create a sustainable, low maintenance building with viable operating budget. The presenters will share how they achieved this goal, including 0.0375 CFM50/sq. ft. on its final blower door test, with teamwork, careful attention to design details, in-progress air-sealing testing, and creative electrical, HVAC and controls design work.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Introductory
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Diamond 2

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Samantha Dunn

      Samantha Dunn

      Samantha Dunn is a developer at Housing Vermont with a particular interest in high-performance, sustainable design. Samantha created an energy model spreadsheet to help guide the innovative design/build HVAC process for the Wentworth Community Housing project. Her efforts resulted in a first of its kind HVAC system for Housing Vermont.

    • Gregg Gossens

      Gregg Gossens

      Gregg Gossens is one of the founding partners of gbA. He is a committed believer in a collaborative creative process and the ability of design to transform and enhance communities. Gregg is also an adjunct professor at the Norwich University School of Architecture and Art.

    • Jon Haehnel

      Jon Haehnel

      Jon has been testing and inspecting institutional and commercial buildings for over 18 years. Mr. Haehnel has tested buildings as large as a city block in Manhattan and as small as an automated weather station slated for Antarctica. Jon's expertise is in building envelope comissioning and design. Most of his work focuses on new and retrofit construction but he also does forensic testing to determine the root cause of high energy costs, mold, ice dams, and pipe freeze-ups. Jon is a certified Building Performance Institute (BPI) Building Analyst and Envelope Specialist and Level I thermographer. Jon is regular presenter at Better Buildings by Design.

    • Steve Poole

      Steve Poole

      Steve Poole has been with VHV for more than 15 years. His strength lies in his ability to quickly spot creative ways to save energy on new and retrofit projects. He has a broad range of experience in the commercial and industrial sectors, with expertise in refrigeration, HVAC plumbing, process piping, and specialty gas systems.

  • Fossil Fuel Free at Last: Air-to-Water Heat Pump and Ventilation Retrofit

    Building Systems, Residential
    • Brian Just, VEIC

    This presentation takes a hand-on approach to two hot topics: air-to-water heat pumps and fresh air (balanced) ventilation. A photo-rich overview of a retrofit project is provided, along with full costing info so that the audience can understand impacts from all angles. Data provided will help people understand system performance from both energy and non-energy perspectives. Given the heavily boiler-based New England market, participants will walk away with new understanding of the potential of this new class of efficient heating equipment, plus the opportunities and co-benefits of other HVAC equipment installed alongside it.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Emerald 1

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Brian Just

      Brian Just

      Brian Just manages Efficiency Vermont’s team of Residential New Construction energy consultants and works on a variety of energy efficiency initiatives at VEIC. He is Passive House and LEED AP accredited, and currently serves as president of the Vermont Green Building Network. Brian is committed to serving the residential design and construction community as its members pave the way to a future of highly efficient—but also healthy, durable, and comfortable—homes.

  • Solar Roofing - A Better Way to Go Solar

    Crossroads, Residential
    • Oliver Koehler, SunTegra

    Solar roofing is an exciting new way to go solar. The presenting company, based in Highland, New York, is a leader in this space. The presentation will provide building professionals an overview of how solar roofing products compare to conventional solar panels, considering their benefits and challenges and their current and future economics. The presenter will also spend time showing some samples and answer participants’ questions.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Amphitheatre

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Oliver Koehler

      Oliver Koehler

      Oliver Koehler has worked in the solar industry for more than 15 years. His experience includes working with leading PV manufacturers such as SunPower and BP Solar and with startups such as BIPV Inc. and Integrated Solar Technology, where he is currently CEO and founder. His expertise involves the development, manufacture, and marketing of solar products.

  • How to Draw Down Carbon Now with Our Buildings: Practical Solutions and Design Strategies (Part 1)

    Enclosure, Residential
    • Chris Magwood, Endeavour Centre
    • Ace McArleton, New Frameworks
    • Jacob Deva Racusin, New Frameworks

    A practical companion to the keynote speech, this session delves into hands-on, technical solutions for storing carbon in buildings. The presenters will demonstrate carbon-storing materials and their use in buildings; share design strategies to yield carbon-storing buildings; introduce tools to evaluate embodied carbon in design projects; and explore resources and action steps. The time frame for us to reverse the trajectory on climate change is extremely short: less than 10 years. Help build the industry movement to become climate heroes and leaders in carbon drawdown!

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Emerald 2

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Chris Magwood

      Chris Magwood

      Chris Magwood is the executive director of the Endeavour Centre, a not-for-profit sustainable building school in Ontario. In 1998 he co-founded Camel’s Back Construction, and as a contractor, designed and built more than 30 homes and commercial buildings, mostly with straw bales and often with renewable energy systems. Chris has authored seven books on sustainable building, and is currently working on an MA at Trent University, studying the carbon storage potential of the built environment.

    • Ace McArleton

      Ace McArleton

      Ace McArleton founded New Frameworks Natural Design/Build in 2006 to offer green remodeling and new construction services blending natural building materials and methods with high-performance design. Ace instructs in the Natural Building Certificate Program at the Yestermorrow School, is co-author of The Natural Building Companion (Chelsea Green, 2012), and led his business’s conversion to a worker cooperative in 2016. Ace is passionate about finding practical, regional solutions for building healthy, just communities.

    • Jacob Deva Racusin

      Jacob Deva Racusin

      Jacob Deva Racusin is co-owner of New Frameworks, offering design, construction, consultation, and education services featuring low-impact high-performance building technologies. He is also program director of the certificate program in building science and net zero design at the Yestermorrow Design/Build School, and is a BPI-certified contractor. Jacob is the author of the books Essential Building Science and The Natural Building Companion.

  • Grid-Connected Homes and Businesses

    Crossroads, Residential and Commercial
    • Graham Turk, Green Mountain Power Corporation
    • Julia Leopold, Vermont Public Power Supply Authority
    • Lisa Morris, Vermont Electric Cooperative
    • Bill Powell, Washington Electric Cooperative
    • James Gibbons, Burlington Electric Department

    Vermont’s distribution utilities are on the leading edge in promoting strategic electrification, renewable energy, and load management through controls and behavioral modifications. These efforts help them manage system load, increase the use of available clean energy, and reduce energy costs. In this session, several of Vermont’s electric utilities will share their efforts to promote and implement grid-connected devices in homes and businesses to leverage renewable energy and lower demand costs through flexible load management.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Introductory
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Diamond 1

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Graham Turk

      Graham Turk

      Graham Turk is a member of the Innovation Development team at Green Mountain Power (GMP). His work involves designing and executing innovative pilot projects that test new technologies and business models. These efforts contribute to GMP’s larger mission to transform the energy system into one that is more distributed, carbon-free, and community-centered, while reducing costs and increasing reliability for customers. Prior to GMP, Graham completed a Fulbright grant in Sweden on peer-to-peer solar energy markets. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University.

    • Julia Leopold

      Julia Leopold

      Julia Leopold joined VPPSA in 2019 as a communications specialist. Julia handles media requests, public relations, marketing outreach, and internal communications. She holds a bachelor of science degree in atmospheric science from Cornell University and has nearly a decade of experience as an on-air broadcast meteorologist.

    • Lisa Morris

      Lisa Morris

      Coming from an urban planning background, Lisa was excited to discover how dynamic and interesting the energy sector is after joining Vermont Electric Cooperative seven years ago. She works on VEC’s Energy Transformation Program, Co-op Community Solar, net metering, flexible load, and other special programs at VEC. She loves seeing the cooperative model in action, interacting with VEC members, and getting to be part of shaping Vermont’s energy future.

    • Bill Powell

      Bill Powell

      In 1991 Bill Powell began his co-op career as WEC’s first “Director of Energy Management Services”. Having operated a small construction company in a prior life, as well as a volunteer role as the executive director of the (then) Solar Association of Vermont, his role at WEC has evolved.

    • James Gibbons

      James Gibbons

      James L. Gibbons heads the Policy and Planning Team at Burlington Electric Department. The Policy and Planning Team is responsible for wholesale power market interactions, energy contracting, renewability, strategic electrification program design, and long term planning. James joined BED in 2008. Prior to that he worked for almost 20 years at the Vermont Public Power Supply Authority where he was initially responsible for load forecasting and energy efficiency, moved to rates and rate design, and from 2003 on managed the organization’s power supply and transmission activities. James was a key participant in securing BED’s 100% renewable energy portfolio.

  • Water, Vapor, Air: How Physics Can Help You Choose the Right Membrane

    Enclosure, Residential
    • John Straube, RDH Building Science

    Vapor barriers continue to be a source of confusion to many. When is an air barrier also a vapor barrier? When should it be one? New requirements, assemblies, and materials have added new questions. Do smart barriers work? When should they be used? The presenter will walk attendees through the science of condensation and air control to illuminate which materials work in different situations—and why.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Emerald 3

    About the Speaker(s)
    • John Straube

      John Straube

      John Straube, Ph.D., P.E., senior building science specialist, is a principal at RDH Building Science, where he heads forensic investigations and leads research projects in the areas of low-energy building design, building enclosure performance, hygrothermal analysis, and field monitoring of wall assemblies. He is also a faculty member in the School of Architecture and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo. He has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in Building Science Education from the National Consortium of Housing Research Centers (NCHRC).

1:45 - 3:15pm Thursday, February 6
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Addison Northwest School District Save Taxpayer Money

    Building Systems, Commercial
    • Mike Davey, Energy Efficiency Investments

    Addison Northwest School District is made up of three elementary schools feeding into a unified middle and high school. The buildings varied in terms of comfort, efficiency, and safety. This project addressed a number of deficiencies in lighting, ventilation, and heat in all four buildings, with a focus on the Vergennes Elementary School and the high school. Combined with a new solar array at the high school, savings have been substantial. The high school fuel usage declined 15% per degree day, and electric use dropped 43%. This session will delve into the details.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NCQLP
    Room: Diamond 1

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Mike Davey

      Mike Davey

      Mike Davey is the business development manager for Energy Efficient Investments (EEI). EEI is a performance contractor focusing on energy-efficient and renewable solutions. The EEI team has completed comprehensive performance contracts for Bennington School District, BROC, and the Addison Northwest School District. Mike has been in the energy efficiency and construction industry for more than 15 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Wentworth Institute of Technology and a master’s from University of Massachusetts, Lowell.

  • Zero Energy Now—Vermont’s Existing Homes Solution

    Building Systems, Residential
    • Richard Faesy, Energy Futures Group
    • Russ Flanigan, Building Energy
    • Tom Perry, New Leaf Design, LLC
    • Li Ling Young, VEIC

    The Building Performance Professionals Association of Vermont launched the Zero Energy Now pilot program several years ago. The concept applied a coordinated strategy of weatherization, heat pumps, biofuels, and solar PV – and delivered more than 60% fossil fuel and electric grid savings across 24 projects in existing Vermont homes. The presenters take lessons learned and share actual savings results, along with a discussion of the future of a Zero Energy Now program in Vermont. Participants – contractors, especially – are invited to learn more about a program in which they can participate that has the potential to deliver exceptional results and move Vermont substantially towards its 2050 climate goals.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Emerald 1

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Richard Faesy

      Richard Faesy

      Richard Faesy is a principal and co-founder of Energy Futures Group (EFG) in Hinesburg, Vermont. He has more than 30 years of experience in the clean energy industry working with hundreds of clients and programs throughout the U.S. and Canada. Prior to founding EFG, Richard worked at the VEIC for 21 years.

    • Russ Flanigan

      Russ Flanigan

      Russ Flanigan is a senior energy analyst and solar project manager at Building Energy Vermont. He cut his teeth in the building trades and energy efficiency in Vermont and Southern California. Since 2008, Russ has focused on the whole house approach to residential energy efficiency, with a passion for net-zero and near-zero homes. He is a Vermont Building Professionals Association board member and runs day-to-day operations of a thriving solar and heat pump division.

    • Tom Perry

      Tom Perry

      Tom Perry has been a residential building contractor for more than 30 years, and a BPI certified weatherization contractor for the last 12 years. He is now devoting as much time as possible to developing and promoting the Zero Energy Now concept in Vermont. His company, New Leaf Design, is a research and development company dedicated to designing economically viable strategies to assist businesses and industries in adapting and transforming to a near-term carbon-minimal economy.

    • Li Ling Young

      Li Ling Young

      Li Ling Young works through Efficiency Vermont to support the design and construction of healthy, comfortable, energy-efficient homes. For the last five years, Li Ling has focused on the challenges of upgrading Vermont’s existing housing stock for an energy-constrained and carbon-taxed future. Through direct consultation, instrumentation and monitoring of energy retrofit projects, and analysis, Li Ling’s work has supported a cost-optimized approach to home zero energy retrofits.

  • The Ghosts Among Us – Reducing Air Infiltration from the Darkest Recesses to Dramatically Improve Comfort and Energy Performance

    Enclosure, Residential
    • Mary Jane Poynter, VEIC
    • Allison Ross, VEIC
    • Karen Bushey, VEIC

    Building air tightness is a 30-year-old concept but buildings have not always maximized the long-term benefits of focusing attention on air sealing details. Air tightness in multifamily and commercial buildings in Vermont has improved over the last 15 years. Both energy modeling and actual energy usage has shown that lower air leakage rates can have a bigger impact on building energy usage and system sizing than adding more insulation to the building walls and roof. This presentation will include blower door test data and demonstrate how buildings have achieved increasingly tighter envelopes. We will present energy modeling data to illustrate air sealing and insulation impacts on energy use and discuss the top five strategies to ensure tight building envelopes.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Introductory
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Diamond 2

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Mary Jane Poynter

      Mary Jane Poynter

      Mary Jane Poynter is a senior energy consultant at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. She specializes in commercial, government, industrial, and multifamily building energy projects, working primarily with Efficiency Vermont and DC Sustainability Energy Utilities. She has worked on projects across the spectrum of new construction and renovation, and in the affordable housing market. Mary Jane is a certified energy manager, a certified master gardener, and a 17-year member of her local ASHRAE chapter.

    • Allison Ross

      Allison Ross

      Allison Ross, C.E.M. is an energy consultant with VEIC. She focuses on multifamily, commercial, and military energy efficiency work. Her technical focus is on building thermal shell, and her research interest is energy resiliency and microgrids, particularly within military context. An Army veteran, she holds a BS in Environmental Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MS in Environmental Science from the University of Illinois.

    • Karen Bushey

      Karen Bushey

      Karen Bushey, AIA, LEED AP, CPHC, PHIUS+ Rater, is a VEIC energy consultant with over 20 years of experience in the field of high-performance building design and construction. At VEIC, Karen has helped project teams create comfortable, durable, low-energy buildings that optimize their performance with cost-effective solutions. Karen’s knowledge and experience in high-performance building has been key to the success of many residential, multifamily, and commercial projects in New England, including several award-wining Passive House buildings.

  • How to Draw Down Carbon Now with Our Buildings: Practical Solutions and Design Strategies (Part 2)

    Enclosure, Residential
    • Chris Magwood, Endeavour Centre
    • Ace McArleton, New Frameworks
    • Jacob Deva Racusin, New Frameworks

    A practical companion to the keynote speech, this session delves into hands-on, technical solutions for storing carbon in buildings. The presenters will demonstrate carbon-storing materials and their use in buildings; share design strategies to yield carbon-storing buildings; introduce tools to evaluate embodied carbon in design projects; and explore resources and action steps. The time frame for us to reverse the trajectory on climate change is extremely short: less than 10 years. Help build the industry movement to become climate heroes and leaders in carbon drawdown!

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Emerald 2

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Chris Magwood

      Chris Magwood

      Chris Magwood is the executive director of the Endeavour Centre, a not-for-profit sustainable building school in Ontario. In 1998 he co-founded Camel’s Back Construction, and as a contractor, designed and built more than 30 homes and commercial buildings, mostly with straw bales and often with renewable energy systems. Chris has authored seven books on sustainable building, and is currently working on an MA at Trent University, studying the carbon storage potential of the built environment.

    • Ace McArleton

      Ace McArleton

      Ace McArleton founded New Frameworks Natural Design/Build in 2006 to offer green remodeling and new construction services blending natural building materials and methods with high-performance design. Ace instructs in the Natural Building Certificate Program at the Yestermorrow School, is co-author of The Natural Building Companion (Chelsea Green, 2012), and led his business’s conversion to a worker cooperative in 2016. Ace is passionate about finding practical, regional solutions for building healthy, just communities.

    • Jacob Deva Racusin

      Jacob Deva Racusin

      Jacob Deva Racusin is co-owner of New Frameworks, offering design, construction, consultation, and education services featuring low-impact high-performance building technologies. He is also program director of the certificate program in building science and net zero design at the Yestermorrow Design/Build School, and is a BPI-certified contractor. Jacob is the author of the books Essential Building Science and The Natural Building Companion.

  • Solar Plus—Electrifying Our Lives Provides a Better ROI

    Crossroads, Residential
    • Kimberley Quirk, ReVision Energy

    Energy efficiency and renewable energy projects are often evaluated for their return on investment, whether it is to justify the financing method or to understand the savings over time. This presentation will look at the return on investment of various projects, including solar PV systems, air source heat pumps, water heaters, and electric vehicle chargers. It will also discuss combinations of systems powered with solar PV to see how much better the return on investment can be as we move to electrify more and more of our energy uses.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Amphitheatre

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Kimberley Quirk

      Kimberley Quirk

      Kim Quirk is the Upper Valley branch manager for ReVision Energy, which merged with her business, Energy Emporium, in early 2019. ReVision provides design, installation, and maintenance services for solar systems, heat pumps, battery systems, and EV chargers. Kim completed the renovation of her 1850s building to a net-zero energy building, which met her goals of no fossil fuels, no combustion, LEED-H best practices, and preserving the embodied energy of the building.

  • Fuzzy Solutions: Safe, High-performance Enclosures with No Foam

    Enclosure, Residential
    • John Straube, RDH Building Science

    Foam plastics have a lot of nice characteristics for enclosure design, but they’re not right for every project. Increasingly, designers or owners are asking for options for unvented roofs, interior retrofits, and low-slope roofs that use only fibrous (mineral and organic) insulation. This session will investigate the different concerns to address when using fibrous insulation, and discuss techniques to allow for the same airtightness, condensation resistance, and diffusion control. Case studies and monitoring results from actual projects will be presented.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Emerald 3

    About the Speaker(s)
    • John Straube

      John Straube

      John Straube, Ph.D., P.E., senior building science specialist, is a principal at RDH Building Science, where he heads forensic investigations and leads research projects in the areas of low-energy building design, building enclosure performance, hygrothermal analysis, and field monitoring of wall assemblies. He is also a faculty member in the School of Architecture and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo. He has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in Building Science Education from the National Consortium of Housing Research Centers (NCHRC).

3:30 - 5:00pm Thursday, February 6
  • Better Buildings through Better Chemistry

    Commercial, Commercial
    • Lisa Carey Moore, Integrated Eco Strategy
    • Charley Stevenson, Integrated Eco Strategy

    How does a project succeed in being a healthier building? First, it is not an all-or-nothing endeavor, rather a spectrum of effort with many entry points. Second, it is easier to get started than you think. In this session we will cover easy steps and modest goals all the way through to ambitious efforts by going beyond the basics and delving deeply into not just products, but also into process. Using examples and experience from a wide range of project types, we will discuss opportunities, costs, hurdles, and solutions.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Emerald 1

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Lisa Carey Moore

      Lisa Carey Moore

      Lisa Carey Moore is involved in all phases of projects to provide support to teams looking for materials that avoid ingredients of concern. She works closely with design teams who want specific products, and with contractors looking to address “Red List” issues. She’s been involved in the materials research, and project support, for three Living Certified projects: Williams College’s Class of ’66 Center, the R.W. Kern Center, and the Hitchcock Center for the Environment.

    • Charley Stevenson

      Charley Stevenson

      Charley Stevenson has been delving deep into healthier building materials since beginning work on his first Living Building Challenge project in 2011. With the team at Integrated Eco Strategy, he has developed processes and software to integrate better materials selections into all project types and to transform the market. The Red2Green platform has reduced Red List research and documentation efforts by a factor of three while building up a library of more than 10,000 products.

  • Flexible Load Management: Results from the Green Mountain Power FLM Pilot

    Commercial, Commercial
    • Marcus Jones, VEIC
    • Morgan Casella, Dynamic Organics, LLC
    • Jeff Monder, Green Mountain Power

    Review the results from the Green Mountain Power Flexible Load Management pilot. We will also share lessons learned as well as highlight examples from the various customers. Flexible Load Management is one of EVT’s evolved services that is being explored put forth in the DRP. Highlighting the results to date from the Green Mountain Power Flexible Load Management pilot will help to educate the attendees what it is and why it is so important.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Diamond 2

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Marcus Jones

      Marcus Jones

      Marcus Jones is an energy consultant in VEIC’s engineering group, specializing in HVAC and control system strategies. With more than 20 years of experience in the building construction, maintenance, and energy efficiency industries, he is a technical expert in commercial and industrial markets. Marcus is the technical lead for predictive control strategies and flexible load management practices for efficient buildings as a means to support grid stability.

    • Morgan Casella

      Morgan Casella

      Morgan Casella is managing partner of Dynamic Organics (DO), where he has worked for over 10 years in sustainable energy and HVAC efficiency project development, design, construction, and operations and maintenance. Morgan has experience with solar development, anaerobic digestion, landfill gas-to-energy generation, and building energy systems including HVAC design, optimization, installation, and retrofits. Morgan has an extensive background in the development and design of renewable energy and efficiency projects, with a focus on distribution, transmission, and efficiency utility regulatory requirements.

    • Jeff Monder

      Jeff Monder

      Jeff Monder has over 26 years of experience in the utility industry, mostly dedicated to information technologies and project and organizational leadership. Most recently, Jeff has been a leader in innovation development, devising and introducing new programs to help residential, commercial, and industrial customers increase efficiency and productivity, reduce their carbon footprint, and save money. Jeff is deeply engaged in the evolution of the utility model to meet new opportunities and challenges, while satisfying the highest standards for reliability, cost-effectiveness, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.

  • Want to Save Energy? Its About The Outside Air!

    Building Systems, Commercial
    • Barry Stephens, Ventacity Systems Inc

    This session will present a very effective model that has been established across North America to retrofit existing HVAC systems on small to medium-sized commercial buildings in order to achieve very significant energy savings, improved indoor air quality (IAQ), and comfort. The presentation will provide multiple case studies with data detailing where the savings are realized, and how IAQ and comfort are also enhanced. And the presentation will outline the steps to implementing and installing these retrofits to meet both energy efficiency goals and a reasonable financial ROI.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Amphitheatre

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Barry Stephens

      Barry Stephens

      Barry Stephens is the Northeast region sales manager for Ventacity Systems, Inc. He joined Ventacity, a startup manufacturer of very high performance, Passive House certified heat recovery ventilation and energy recovery ventilation systems, as well as advanced control systems, in 2016. Prior to that he spent 15 years at Zehnder America, Inc. He led the introduction of Zehnder systems in North America, and has been involved with high-performance projects across North America since 2008.

  • Net-Zero Lessons Learned: Design, Construction, and Two Years of Living in a High-Performance Home

    Enclosure, Residential
    • Jean Terwilliger, Vermont Integrated Architecture

    When we have the privilege to design for ourselves, how do we narrow the infinite options into a coherent project while balancing cost and performance? This presentation will walk through the steps of finding an appropriate site, developing a program and budget, and working through schematic design; then dig into the details of choosing materials, pushing the envelope on the mechanical systems, keeping the budget in check, and deciding whether to certify and through which system; and finally discuss what it is like to live in a high-performance net-zero home for two years, and the lessons learned to carry into future projects.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Intermediate
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Emerald 3

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Jean Terwilliger

      Jean Terwilliger

      Jean Terwilliger, AIA, NCARB, CPHC, is a project architect with Vermont Integrated Architecture (VIA) specializing in the design of sustainable buildings using collaborative design methods and cost-effective green building technologies. She is currently working on several high-performance custom homes and a new affordable housing complex in Vergennes, and built her own almost passive house in 2018. Jean spent many years working for herself while raising two children, and joined VIA in 2014.

  • The Environmental Impact of Refrigerants: Past, Present, and Future

    Commercial, Commercial
    • Ethan Bellavance, VEIC
    • Ali White, VEIC
    • Jake Marin, Efficiency Vermont

    This presentation will bridge the gap between commercial and residential stakeholders and will introduce a more commercial topic (refrigeration) in a high-level format that should be of interest to anyone affected by impending legislation, as well as anyone who is passionate about the environment. Refrigerant management is the primary way a global society can mitigate climate change. This presentation will educate attendees and empower them to make a difference.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Introductory
    Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
    Room: Emerald 2

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Ethan Bellavance

      Ethan Bellavance

      Ethan Bellavance is a Senior Energy Consultant in VEIC’s Energy Services Division, specializing in refrigeration project management for customers in and out of Vermont. He works directly with businesses to identify optimal energy efficiency solutions for their business models and strategies, conducting technical and financial analyses that support these solutions. A seasoned refrigeration retro-commissioning project manager for larger commercial and industrial facilities, Ethan has managed refrigeration energy efficiency, leak remediation, and pressure control projects at well over 100 sites. Ethan is lead of the Refrigeration Technical Solutions Group, specializing in contractor engagement, natural refrigerant adoption, and designing industry leading refrigeration energy efficiency programs.

    • Ali White

      Ali White

      Ali White, CEM, is an energy consultant in VEIC’s engineering division, providing technical analysis and project management to commercial and industrial customers. Her skill set includes conducting energy audits, identifying innovative and cost-effective energy efficiency measures, and project prioritization through comprehensive energy and non-energy benefit analyses. Ali provides refrigeration, HVAC, lighting, and process efficiency services to the grocery, brewery, and dairy manufacturing sectors, with a specific focus on refrigerant management, refrigerant conversion, and leak repair in large refrigeration systems.

    • Jake Marin

      Jake Marin

      Jake Marin is the HVAC and Refrigeration Program Manager for Efficiency Vermont. Moving into this role in 2014, he quickly began the process of restructuring how EVT supports HVAC for residential and commercial customers. In his tenure, he has ceased all support of fossil fuel heating system equipment, while refocusing resources on renewable thermal technologies such as heat pumps and advanced wood heating. He works closely with the supply chain to ensure that the most efficient products are available and that installers have the training they need to sell and install efficient equipment. Additionally, he has worked with an exceptional team to increase EVT’s involvement with commercial refrigeration, transforming what was a fringe activity, into one of the major ways EVT helps small to large businesses save large amounts of energy and make them more economically viable. In prior roles, Jake has been an energy consultant, a contractor and an entrepreneur. He brings this experience and a good deal of enthusiasm to his work, transforming the way Vermonters do building mechanical. Management, Jake has been integrating these concepts into our programmatic offerings.

  • Pellet Stoves – The Renewable, Affordable, Hygge Heating Solution That’s Available Now

    Building Systems, Residential
    • Emma Hanson, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation

    For thousands of homeowners making the switch to renewables is both daunting and financially untenable. Solution? The pellet stove. For just $3-$4k a homeowner can install an auxiliary heat source that is pleasant to look at, clean burning, easy to run, and renewable - easily offsetting 70-99% of their fossil heating fuel while still retaining their fossil system as backup.

    Presentation(s):

    Level: Introductory
    Accreditation: TBD
    Room: Diamond 1

    About the Speaker(s)
    • Emma Hanson

      Emma Hanson

      Emma brings a diverse background in sales, communications and environmental policy to the world of wood energy. After staffing the Forestry Committee of the Working Lands Enterprise Board at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture for two years, she took on the new position of Wood Energy Coordinator at the VT Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation in 2017. She holds a M.S. in Agriculture, Food & Environmental Policy from Tufts University in Boston.