Senator Hardy introduced S.219, a short bill directing Efficiency Vermont to work with existing community-based programs and community action agencies to design a Vermont community-based home energy navigator and coaching program that provides in-person and remote energy coaching for residential customers, with an emphasis on serving low- and moderate-income households.

"They come in and help you assess your home, to determine what kinds of things you could do to lower your energy usage... and then help you, in some cases, implement those things," Senator Hardy said, describing energy navigators’ role in weatherization, efficiency measures and connecting residents to grants and financing.

The bill directs Efficiency Vermont to consult with the Vermont State Energy Office, Vermont Climate Action Office, community action agencies, utilities and neighboring states with similar programs. It would provide an initial $50,000 from the general fund to Efficiency Vermont to produce a program design report and $150,000 to the Climate Economy Action Center to collaborate on design, expand community-based resources, and pilot expansion to a neighboring county. Efficiency Vermont would submit a report on program design, estimated costs, target populations, and a proposed timeline to the House and Senate committees by January 15, 2027. The bill’s effective date in the draft is July 1, 2026.

Committee members discussed tradeoffs between measures that reduce grid demand (weatherization) and measures that may increase electrification but reduce household costs. Staff indicated language could be tweaked to emphasize weatherization where desired. The committee agreed to gather additional input as the program design proceeds.