Capstone WXCI programs play a statewide leadership role to help low- to moderate- income Vermonters reduce their electricity and fossil fuel usage and transition to sustainable technologies. (Courtesy photo)

Will Eberle

While the pace and scale of climate change can often feel overwhelming, it has never been more important to do all we can to help turn the tide and celebrate wins wherever they can be found. One agency devoted to rising to this challenge is Capstone Community Action, a Vermont-based non-profit organization focused on economic empowerment, holistic supports for low- to moderate- income (LMI) residents, and innovative strategies to help overcome climate change. Capstone’s Weatherization and Climate Impact (WXCI) program blends innovation and impact at a scale that gives much cause for celebration.

Capstone WXCI programs play a statewide leadership role in increasing the energy efficiency, health and safety, and climate resilience of single-family homes in six counties of Vermont – and multifamily homes across the state. These programs help LMI Vermonters reduce their electricity and fossil fuel usage and transition to sustainable technologies. Last fiscal year (October 2023 and September 2024) Capstone’s single-family no cost Weatherization Assistance Programs served 238 total households (including 22 single parent households) consisting of 492 individuals. These included 142 children, 83 people with disabilities, and 137 seniors. This saved 10,833 MMBtus and 1,319,213 pounds of carbon, and helped low to moderate income Vermonters use 139,400 less gallons of fuel oil, 24,905 gallons of propane, 11,006 gallons of kerosene, 93 fewer cords of wood, and 21 fewer tons of pellets.

These efforts saved Vermonters approximately $2,665 dollars per household per year, totaling $634,155 in total dollars saved on fuel costs – including fuel oil savings of $473,960, propane savings of $76,161, kerosene savings of $44,134, firewood savings of $32,550 and wood pellets savings of $7,350. Last fiscal year, Capstone WXCI programs also helped low to moderate income Vermonters use 45,997 less kilowatt hours of electricity for a total savings of $249,609.84 or roughly $1,049 per household served.

In performing these activities, the WXCI program provided livable-wage jobs with good benefits and strong professional development and career advancement opportunities for 48 Vermonters while also providing significant financial support to an additional 41 additional small business owners. This circulated $13,307,448 dollars in Vermont’s local economy.

Capstone WXCI’s portfolio of programs also includes 3E Thermal, which makes energy efficiency upgrades easy to undertake for owners of qualified apartment buildings. Cash incentives are provided as well as technical support. The program offers unbiased consultants whose interest is maximizing the energy performance of Vermont’s affordable apartment housing stock. On average, projects save 40% on energy usage post retrofit. This results in lower utility costs for tenants, lower maintenance costs for building owners, and more comfortable, durable, and sustainable multifamily housing statewide.

Last fiscal year, 3E Thermal, served 426 units in 63 buildings and saved 15,470 MMBtus, 108,792 gallons of heating oil, and reduced CO2 emissions by 2,440,588 pounds.

Vermonters interested in seeing if they are eligible to have Capstone provide no-cost weatherization for their single-family homes can learn more at: https://capstonevt.org/home-weatherization or call 1-877-919-2299.

Multifamily building owners interested in learning more can visit: https://3ethermal.org/.