From renewables to rails: David Blittersdorf & Deb Sachs

David Blittersdorf and Deb Sachs want us to reimagine how we live. Blittersdorf is a well known renewable energy entrepreneur. In 1982, a year after graduating from the University of Vermont, he founded NRG Systems, a wind-energy company. In 2004, he founded AllEarth Renewables, and he owns several small wind energy farms. In 2017, Blittersdorf launched an effort to bring commuter rail back to Vt.  He recently purchased a dozen rail cars that he plans to operate in the state. Debra Sachs is co-founder and executive director of Net Zero Vermont, which promotes carbon neutral solutions for communities, including Montpelier. Blittersdorf and Sachs talk about their work to move to a sustainable future and the promise and controversies around the expansion of renewable energy. (July 26, 2017 broadcast)

David Blittersdorf, founder, AllEarth Renewables, commuter rail advocate

Debra Sachs, founder and executive director, Net Zero Vermont

Vermont’s renewable energy revolution

Nearly five percent of the Vermont’s workforce now participates in clean energy activities, and the clean energy economy has grown nearly 10% since 2013, according to a new study from the Vt Dept. of Public Service.

The clean energy sector comprises over 2,500 businesses employing more than 16,000 workers. Businesses project roughly 1,000 more workers by March 2016, a growth rate of 6.2%.

We look at the current state of renewable energy in Vermont and the challenges ahead.

Gabrielle Stebbins, executive director, Renewable Energy Vermont