Passed on June 2nd, 2022, Act 172 (As Enacted link) authorized MERP $45 million to support dependable and sustainable connections to critical municipal services for all Vermonters. Buildings owned by cities, towns, fire districts, incorporated villages, and all other governmental incorporated units except for school districts are eligible for the program.No local match is required for this funding.
The Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) will provide staff support, application and technical assistance, and funding to help communities become more energy resilient, reduce energy use and operating costs, and curb greenhouse gas emissions by promoting renewable energy, battery storage, electric vehicle charging, weatherization, thermal improvements, fuel switching, and enhanced building comfort in municipal buildings and facilities.
The program will provide the following funding opportunities:
- Free building energy assessments
- Up to $4,000 grants for energy resilience community capacity building
- Up to $500,000 grants for building renovation projects for weatherization, thermal efficiency, and supplementing or replacing fossil fuel heating systems with more efficient renewable or electric alternatives.
- Revolving loan program to support future retrofit needs beyond Implementation grant funds. This program will be developed following the successful launch of the other program components that have a spending deadline.
Learn more about each program in the sections below. An FAQ is also available by clicking HERE.
A quick review of the program and template selectboard approval language is available here: Template Selectboard approval.