Vermont utility leads transformation to a clean and modern energy system
Green Mountain Power (GMP) has been recognized as one of the top 10 utilities in the country for leading transformation toward a clean, modern energy system that benefits all, by the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), according to a news release last month.
GMP joins utilities including Austin Energy and Seattle City Light on the 2021 Utility Transformation Leaderboard. Along with an energy supply that is 95% carbon free, 64% renewable and getting greener all the time, GMP is committed to being 100% carbon free by 2025 and 100% renewable by 2030. GMP’s pioneering energy storage programs that increase grid resiliency and keep the lights on for thousands of customers during storms also saved all GMP customers more than $3 million in 2020.
“Green Mountain Power stands out due to its comprehensive efforts to transition to a carbon-free energy future, and most importantly its results,” said SEPA President and CEO Julia Hamm. “The transformation to a clean and modern energy system involves much more than clean energy generation; it will require changes to almost every part of a utility’s business. We applaud GMP for its progress and recognize that much work remains. The world does not have the luxury of time on carbon reduction.”
“We’re honored by this recognition of GMP’s groundbreaking work in partnership with Vermonters to transform our energy system,” said Mari McClure, GMP’s president and CEO. “This inspires us to build on our innovations that empower customers to reduce their own carbon footprints and increase resiliency across Vermont. Whether it is keeping towns connected with transformational energy storage projects like our first-in-the-nation microgrid in Panton, the Resiliency Zones we’re building with communities across Vermont, or increasing renewable power generation closer to where it is used and needed, we’re excited to keep moving in the right direction – faster than ever before.”
SEPA’s evaluation framework analyzed six individual surveys designed to capture meaningful progress across multiple dimensions of utility infrastructure, programs, strategy and operation. SEPA received survey responses from 135 utilities, representing more than 83 million customer accounts, or approximately 63% of all U.S. electric customer accounts. The Utility Transformation Profile report and executive summary are available at sepapower.org/utility-transformation-challenge/.
GMP also offers residential and business customers the opportunity to reduce their own carbon footprints and their costs through rebates and other programs including electric vehicles and charging, heat pumps, and energy storage.
GMP serves approximately 266,000 residential and business customers in Vermont. GMP is the first utility in the world to get a B Corp certification, meeting rigorous social, environmental, accountability and transparency standards and committing to use business as a force for good. GMP earned a spot-on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in the World list four years in a row (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020). In 2019 GMP was honored by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Vermont Business Magazine with the Deane C. Davis Outstanding Vermont Business of the Year Award.
