Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025

We discussed the possibility of installing more solar panels on Co-op property, shifting our focus to include ways the Co-op could develop more resilience to the impacts of climate change, developing a communication network with other co-ops, updating the carbon inventory for the Co-op, and joining the VT Energy Action Network.

Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025

We reviewed the Co-op carbon inventory that shows the Co-op’s progress in reducing carbon emissions from using propane and increasing electricity use from our solar arrays for fiscal years 2022–2024.

We discussed whether the Co-op could install more solar panels or just continue to use Green Mountain Power when it produces 100% clean energy. The electricity the Co-op gets from Green Mountain Power is not yet entirely renewable. The Green Mountain Power website says their electricity generation is 100% carbon free and 82% renewable. They plan to be 100% renewable by 2030.

We discussed what the Co-op is doing to use less electricity by purchasing Energy Star equipment, updating the HVAC equipment, having a system that combines heat pumps and other generators, and the cost of these new systems.

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

We discussed what might be needed for the Co-op to convert to all electric energy, and whether the Co-op could install more solar panels so it can generate its own electricity that has a smaller carbon footprint and is affordable.

We also discussed the possible health problems that may be caused by using propane stoves in the kitchen and that even with a hood over the stoves, some propane fumes may be added to the air, the health benefits of switching from propane to electric stoves, the cost of replacing propane stoves with electric stoves, the larger breaker boxes this would require and the extra space the breaker boxes would need, the possibility of switching to induction stoves, what might be needed for the Co-op to become energy independent, and where we might look for the financial support to make these changes.

Hunger Mountain Co-op is now a member of the Energy Action Network and is listed on the members page under Businesses.

Our next Sustainability and Resilience Committee Meeting will be on Wednesday, April 16, from 3:30–4:30 on Zoom.

The Sustainability and Resilience Committee Members

Catherine Lowther, Council Member and S&R Committee Chair
Mary Mullally, Co-op General Manager
Carl Etnier, Council President
Amanda Sardonis, Co-op Member
Steven Farnham, Council Member
Nona Estrin, Council Member
Thomas Gram, Council Member

Co-op Carbon Inventory for Fiscal Years 2022–2024

US Energy Information Administration

Propane

Burning one gallon of propane produces 12.68 lbs. of CO2

Propane gallons used in fiscal year 2022

20,438 gallons x 12.68 lbs. CO2 per gallon = 259,153.84 lbs. = 129.57692 tons

Rounded off: 129.57692 tons = 129.6 tons CO2

Propane gallons used in fiscal year 2023

16,811 gals. x 12.68 lbs. CO2 per gal. = 213,163.48 lbs. = 106.58174 tons

Rounded off: = 106.58174 tons = 106.6 tons CO2

Propane gallons used in fiscal year 2024

16,917 gals. x 12.68 lbs. CO2 per gal. = 214,507.56 lbs. = 107.25378 tons

Rounded off: = 107.25378 tons = 107.3 tons CO2

Electricity

Electricity used in fiscal year 2022

654,254 kWh used minus 171,392 kWh from Co-op solar arrays = 482,862 kWh from GMP

Electricity used in fiscal year 2023

693,463 kWh used minus 489,709 kWh from Co-op solar arrays = 203,754 kWh from GMP

Electricity used in fiscal year 2024

692,609 kWh used minus 445,638 from Co-op solar arrays = 246,971 kWh from GMP

Green Mountain Power electricity generation is 100% carbon free and 82% renewable. They plan to be 100% renewable by 2030.