Bill would fund statewide community energy navigators to guide homeowners through efficiency and clean energy options

Representative Scott Campbell and others introduced H.610, a bill to create or expand a community‑based energy navigator program statewide based on an Addison County pilot. The sponsor said the navigator would provide in‑person and remote coaching to help homeowners, landlords and renters identify appropriate efficiency and clean energy programs, incentives, financing and contractors. The goal is an accessible, ongoing advisory service that helps residents sequence improvements and access available incentives.

Funding and structure: the bill includes a $165,000 appropriation for FY'27: $15,000 for program design/reporting and $150,000 to work with the Climate Economy Action Center of Addison County to expand the pilot and support initial operations. The sponsor noted Efficiency Vermont would design the program and consult models from neighboring states that run similar services.

Committee questions focused on roles and coordination: members asked whether community action agencies already provide similar services and whether Efficiency Vermont was the right lead agency. Sponsors said community action agencies (e.g., BROC) provide targeted services for low‑income customers, while Efficiency Vermont can reach moderate‑income and market‑rate customers; members urged coordination to avoid duplication. The Department of Public Service was noted as planning a broader coordination review.

Next steps: members requested Efficiency Vermont, the Addison County pilot operators and community action agency representatives to testify on operations, cost structure, contractor networks and how the program would coordinate with existing services.