Brattleboro Common Sense is working towards introducing an energy conservation Advisory that aims to implement crisis-proportionate sustainability practices in town buildings to cut down on energy use and lower carbon emissions.
An initial group of proposed measures was presented to the RTM in March 2019 and is being circulated in the community as an open input and debate project that dares residents to confront the edges of comfort and sacrifice.
BCS believes that the climate emergency our world is facing needs to be addressed on the local level on an emergency basis, especially now when the federal response to climate change is dismantling all government action and infrastructure dedicated to the issue.
What Will You Sacrifice For The Climate? Take Our Survey Here.
The 2019 RTM Resolution Proposal
View/Print Conservation Resolution Petition 
View/Print Conservation Advisory Press Release
Selectboard Implements BCS’s “Cow-Power” Initiative
At their September 17, 2019 meeting, the Brattleboro Selectboard took the final step in instituting a proposal first brought by Brattleboro Common Sense and approved in 2018’s Representative Town Meeting. The Selectboard vote was unanimous.
The original proposal was to complete Brattleboro’s transition to fully renewable-sourced energy, and to do so using Cow Power, a program of Green Mountain Power. The proposal has evolved to use local, small electricity generating projects instead.
Assistant Town Manager, Patrick Moreland, worked tirelessly to do all of the calculations and investigate resources, and presented a memo of recommendation to the Board.
The memo said that the Town can provide the amount calculated to cover the Cow Power program, ($16,333.12), “to further support an existing or imminent renewable energy project in Brattleboro, of which there are several.” It continues, “Interested parties will be asked to describe their project and to define its benefits both to its users and to the broader community of Brattleboro… staff will return to the Board in late October or early November with the results.”
Some Board members proposed tabling action until the new Sustainability Coordinator position is filled, or to file it over to the Energy Committee, or both. Board members Elizabeth McLoughlin and Brandy Starr spoke in favor of launching the process immediately, which was the final decision.
Climate Strike Survey Lounge!
At the Climate Strike Rally on September 20, 2019 BCS rented a parking spot and set up a lounge for people to take a break and fill out a “Climate Sacrifice Survey”.
The survey poses provocative questions to gauge what people would be willing to tolerate, and willing to do, in order to reduce resource use. At least two dozen folks stopped in.
From sweaters at work, to water ban hours, to not attending faraway family events, the survey is meant to spark conversations about hard choices. That’s why we bring the comfy chairs and the flowers.