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Stowe Electric Department Welcomes Clean Energy Innovator Fellow

Vermont public power utility Stowe Electric Department has renewed its participation as a host institution in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship program.

“Fellows receive hands-on experience supporting projects that the host institutions identify as critical to advancing clean energy solutions that decarbonize the power system, electrify transportation and industry, and make the U.S. power system more resilient, equitable, and inclusive,” the utility noted.

Fellows can spend up to two years participating in the program, which is funded in part by Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.

Clean Energy Innovator Fellow Charlie Ansley is joining Stowe Electric as he seeks to start a new career in public service with a focus on adapting to climate change and promoting a clean energy future.

Ansley will continue SED’s research partnership with university students in Vermont, which was recognized by the American Public Power Association’s Energy Innovator Award in 2023.

Ansley will also apply his legal research and writing skills to help SED update internal polices, with a focus on customer enrollment in energy equity programs, net-metering, and Vermont rules and statutes related to renewable energy and global warming solutions.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to learn from my mentors at Stowe Electric and to help find ways to achieve ambitious climate and energy goals while maintaining reliability and affordability for customers,” said Ansley. Most of all, he says: “I can’t wait to spend time in Stowe and get to know its people, places, and institutions.”

SED was previously matched with Wendy Crosier for the 2022-2024 CEIF program. Crosier played a critical role in pursuing opportunities for the utility provided under the Biden Administration’s clean energy initiatives.

“Thanks to Crosier’s efforts, SED has been awarded funding for a micro-hydro and solar generation project to provide renewable energy generation and improve resiliency during extreme weather conditions, along with other infrastructure improvements to support the clean energy transition,” the utility noted.

During her Fellowship with SED, Crosier worked with community stakeholders to promote SED projects and build connections with customers.

Crosier was also the primary coordinator for the 2023 WindowDressers storm window build, the largest WindowDressers event to-date in Vermont. The WindowDressers project expanded SED’s role in providing weatherization assistance and improving affordability for residents in Stowe and Lamoille County.

Since 1911, Stowe Electric Department has provided reliable electricity and superior service to the community of Stowe, Vermont. Serving approximately 4,600 residential and commercial customers, Stowe Electric is committed to supplying safe, reliable, affordable electric service.

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