Burlington, VT - Today Sen. Patrick Leahy and Rep. Peter Welch announced a new $1.5 million grant program to help Vermont college campuses improve energy efficiency and educate students.

The new Campuses Leading on Energy And EducatioN Grants (CLEAN Grants), will provide seven Vermont colleges- through their membership in the Association of Vermont Independent Colleges (AVIC)- with funding to help students, faculty, and staff perform energy audits, improve efficiency of old buildings, explore and design new projects, and implement new technologies.

Leahy said, "Vermont is blessed with a diverse range of higher education institutions, and these colleges are an integral part of our state and local communities.  By working with the Vermont Preservation Trust and with Efficiency Vermont, the colleges participating in this program will implement new energy technologies that also preserve the character and history of their unique buildings and campuses.  The buildings that are renovated through this program will serve as practicing teaching facilities, but they will also pave the way for others, as laboratories for renewable energy alternatives.  In designing energy solutions that meet the individual needs of these colleges, we will also have a roadmap for other Vermont institutions looking to become energy efficient." 

Welch said, "We have a tremendous opportunity to improve energy efficiency, experiment with cutting-edge technology, and at the same time educate future leaders on energy issues.  These CLEAN Grants will help our state's colleges continue to lead the country in finding practical solutions to global warming and more efficient energy use.  At a time of record high energy prices, these grants have the added benefit of helping reduce the operating costs for many of our state's colleges."

Joining Welch and a representative from Leahy's office for the announcement at Burlington College were President Jane Sanders, AVIC President Wendy Koenig, and Burlington College student Michael Holt for the announcement.  Burlington College plans to use the new funding to improve insulation and design a new energy efficient building.

Burlington College, Marlboro College, Sterling College, the College of St. Joseph, Woodbury College, Goddard College and Green Mountain College are the schools participating in the CLEAN Grants program through AVIC.