Patrick Leahy: “Middlebury College, in my State of Vermont, is known worldwide as an outstanding educational institution. What is less…”

“Middlebury College, in my State of Vermont, is known worldwide as an outstanding educational institution. What is less well-known is that the college is also a leader in addressing climate change. The college first became carbon neutral not by simply purchasing carbon credits, but by doing the hard work of actually becoming carbon neutral, including the implementation of 123 individual efficiency projects that are collectively saving the college nearly $1 million a year. With that work complete, they set about securing their energy entirely from renewable sources--first, with one of the largest biodigesters in Vermont and, now, with a 5 megawatt solar array, that will provide 30 percent of the college's electricity. The project includes energy storage, which will benefit the electric grid by spreading out when the power enters the grid. Perhaps more importantly, that stored energy will also serve as a source of emergency power for a nearby hospital, Porter Medical Center. The project also involves two Vermont companies: Encore Renewable and Green Mountain Power. Earlier this month, it was an honor to join the groundbreaking for the project, where Middlebury College President Laurie Patton shared her vision for how to get to a better climate future. All should read her impressive remarks at the event, and I ask that a copy of them be printed in the Record.…”