• BUILDING,  Business,  Community Investment,  Community Readiness,  Go Electric,  Housing,  Preparedness

    100% Carbon Free, Climate Resilient Living

    This is the future of the grid happening right here in Vermont Imagine living in a home that’s all-electric, fossil fuel-free, and is fully storm-resilient. That’s the reality for the 155 families who will move to Hillside East in South Burlington, Vermont. This is a first for that state– a whole neighborhood that is resistant to power outages thanks to a Resiliency Package of in-home Tesla Powerwall batteries for seamless backup power, rooftop solar panels to recharge, and extend the batteries’ backup capability, and a neighborhood microgrid for extra backup power as needed. O’Brien Brothers, a Vermont-grown property development company for over six decades, turned to Green Mountain Power when…

  • Picture of Argyle Gardens
    BUILDING,  COMMUNITY,  Community Projects,  Housing

    Argyle Gardens:

    A HOME FOR THE HOMELESS  The Kenton neighborhood of Portland now hosts Argyle Gardens, the first buildout of a Low Income Single Adult Housing model (LISAH). It is located on an oddly-shaped, city-owned, industrial site close to the MAX light rail line, bus lines, and commercial shopping areas. Argyle Gardens consists of four buildings containing 72 housing units oriented around a central outdoor space. The largest building contains thirty-five 220 square foot studio apartments. A large community room, laundry facilities, and support service offices serve as a central hub and communal gathering space for all residents. The three co-housing buildings each feature two six-bedroom units with two shared bathrooms and…

  • energy efficient
    Housing,  Money

    The Basics of an Energy Efficient Mortgage

    Going green has many benefits. Not only does it lower your impact on the environment, but it could potentially save you money. When it comes to your home, it can be difficult to make your house more energy efficient. Luckily, with an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM), you can borrow more money to help you upgrade your home with green technology. Here are just a few upgrades that qualify under an EEM: Alternative heating such as a pellet stove New windows and insulation New roofing technologies Solar Panels for both electricity and hot water heating In order to qualify for an EEM, you must first qualify for a regular mortgage. When…