Welch Calls For Energy Efficiency Revolution
WCAX News – July 9, 2010
Congressman Welch pushed green energy today — and wants Congress to act on three bills.
He made a stop today at Draker Laboratories in Burlington. The company produces green technology monitoring systems. Over the last year its increased its workforce by 50 PERCENT. Welch believes future job creation is in alternative energy. He is a sponsor of bills that would encourage energy efficiency — create tax incentives for renewable energy companies — and eliminate subsidies for big oil. Welch says he likes to highlight thriving green businesses in Vermont — when he takes on opponents.
Rep. Peter Welch/D-Vt. : ” When I am in Washington what I try to do, and find this to be the most effective, is not argue with people about their point of view. But give them a real world example of a company back in Vermont that is succeeding, and Draker is an example of a company taking the challenge from fossil fuel based energy to alternative energy and clean energy.”…
Sanders: ‘It’s Time For A Solar Revolution’
Huffington Post – February 12, 2010; Author: Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT
This country spends, in a typical year, $350 billion importing oil from Saudi Arabia and other foreign countries. Although this is no doubt good news for the Saudi royal family, one of the richest in the world, it is bad news for the average American.
The vast majority of the American people understand now is the time to move to energy independence so that we are no longer subject to the greed of OPEC or Wall Street speculators, or need to fight “wars for oil” in the Middle East. Americans also know that if we are serious about addressing environmental pollution, greenhouse-gas emissions and the imperative to create millions of good-paying jobs, we must move aggressively to energy efficiency and such sustainable technologies as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass…
The Green General: Sanders on Energy
Burlington Free Press – November 1, 2009; Author: Nicole Gaudiano
WASHINGTON — The topic of the day was climate change, but Sen. Bernie Sanders turned for a moment to lessons learned in war.
Standing alone on a stage before a green backdrop, the Vermont independent recalled how rapidly the U.S. economy had switched from civilian to military production after President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war on Japan in December 1941…
Rep. Welch Kicks Off Energy Tour
WCAX News – April 2, 2007; Author: Alex Martin
Peter Welch kicked off his statewide energy tour by visiting Draker Solar Design in Burlington. Welch wants to bring Vermont’s renewable energy concepts to Washington — to make them part of national energy policy.
“We can have a pro growth, pro-jobs, pro-national security policy. We have to do this in order to create jobs for the 21st century, we have to do this in order to clean our environment, and we have to do this so that we’re not fighting wars in the middle east over oil,” said Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vermont.
Later in the week, Welch will also visit Mt. Abraham High school in Bristol to hear about their energy initiatives. He’ll also visit Middlebury College’s facilities building, National Life, The Harman Pellet Stove Company, Vermont Technical College’s Sustainable Design and Technology Program, and Radientec’s energy efficient heating systems.
Green Building Showcases Art
WCAX News – February 19, 2007; Author: Jack Thurston
Even on the most bone-chilling winter day, a bank of massive windows heats the second floor of a North Street building. Owner AJ Rossman says, “There’s no heat on. And it’s nice and warm!”
Rossman bought the building more than two years ago to house his company Draker Solar Design. It creates software to monitor the output of solar panels on homes or businesses. Rossman explains, “What we do is track power generation and consumption.”
Rossman’s own panels power his office and nine rental spaces downstairs. They give extra energy back to the grid, drawing from the grid when solar generation dips, as it did during last week’s blizzard.
It’s more than just solar panels. The whole building has gone “green,” with recycled doors, reclaimed wood for door frames, less toxic paint, and renewable materials for the floors.
Tenant Sage Tucker-Ketcham says, “The first few weeks were a big learning curve for me.”
Tucker-Ketcham leases space in the building for her art gallery and education center Studio STK. To fit in with the building’s eco-consciousness, she had to buy new, energy efficient light bulbs. She also had to totally re-think the way she designs her space.
Tucker-Ketcham explains, “The paint we’re using now doesn’t smell as bad. So we can paint and hang (art) the next day. And it won’t be as smelly. And we’re going to a biodegradable cup (for drinks at) our openings.”…
Earth Day Inspiration
WCAX News – April 21, 2006; Author: Kate Duffy
Saturday marks the 36th annual observance of Earth Day. And some local companies say technology can help make every day Earth Day. Five companies that share a solar-powered office building in Burlington held an open house Friday night to show how others can make their workspaces more energy efficient.
At a time when gas bills are rising 15% and electricity bills are up 20%, A.J. Rossman of Draker Solar Design, Inc. says companies are looking to solar power and wind turbines to cut energy consumption; “It’s here, off the shelf, you can buy it, it works. We’re just trying to show it’s not some concept that’s going to come in 20 years, it’s here now.”…
Moose Creek Restoration…
The Vermonter – February 3, 1980; Author: Nadenia Newkirk
It’s late afternoon on a Wednesday and the members of Moose Creek Restoration, Ltd. file through the heavy sliding door to the construction company’s not-too-well-heated Lake Street warehouse/workshop for a bimonthly meeting.
Some have come from work sites miles away to sit or stand around the chairless room filled with lumber, work benches, power tools and the sweet smell of sawdust…
Burlington’s First Solar Office Building…
Burlington Free Press – ca.1980; Author: Alan Abbey
Builders of Burlington’s first solar office building hope it will help light up the North Street neighborhood.
Moose Creek Restoration, Ltd. and two related firms, Comfortech and Icarus Solar Construction, are building their 4,800-square-foot office on the site of an abandoned dry cleaning shop, near the intersection of North Street and North Avenue…
