SunCommon, Burlington Electric Department and Green Mountain Power Take Action on Climate Crisis By Committing to 100% Electric Vehicle Fleets

Group Urging Other Vermont Companies To Join Pledge To Switch To Green Driving

As the urgency of the current climate crisis escalates, local leading energy companies pledge to eliminate all fossil-fuel burning vehicles from their fleets. SunCommon, a leading solar provider based in Vermont and New York, today announced the launch of the Drive Electric Pledge- a commitment that both Green Mountain Power (GMP) and Burlington Electric Department (BED) have made in solidarity with SunCommon.

SunCommon is encouraging people and businesses alike to join this movement, and take the Drive Electric Pledge – meaning they pledge not to purchase or lease any fossil fuel burning vehicles as long as there are viable electric alternatives.

“As a mission driven solar company, we are dedicated to addressing the crisis our planet is in, and this is not a task that any one person or company can do alone,” said James Moore, Co-President and -Founder of SunCommon. “The Drive Electric Pledge is a rallying call for individuals and organizations across the region, and shows that we are getting closer to a fossil-fuel free future.”

GMP has already switched six light duty vehicles to all electric, a move expected to reduce carbon emissions by 48,000 pounds per year. “As the first utility B Corp, Green Mountain Power is committed to using energy as a force for good, while cutting carbon and costs for the customers we serve,” said Mary Powell, President and CEO of Green Mountain Power. “We will continue to go all electric, as it is a cost-effective way to drive and it also addresses the top source of carbon pollution in Vermont which is transportation. The only way we can make progress is to all work together, and this new green driving initiative is a great example of that.”

The impact specifically from SunCommon’s pledge includes replacing 42 medium-sized cars and SUVs with electric equivalents, and 29 trucks and vans, as soon as a viable electric option is available. Currently, SunCommon has eight fully electric vehicles in their fleet, with more to be added as existing leases expire.

“BED is proud to have already purchased two EVs for our vehicle fleet,” said Darren Springer, General Manager of Burlington Electric Department. “We also use electric lawn mowers and cold-climate heat pumps at our Pine Street offices. We are fully committed to buying electric every time we have the opportunity. Buying electric helps us support Burlington’s Net Zero Energy goal and keeps more of our dollars in the local economy.”

In Vermont, transportation accounts for nearly 45% of greenhouse gas emissions, which was addressed in Vermont’s Comprehensive Energy Plan. The plan establishes a goal of increasing the share of renewable energy in the transportation sector to 10% by 2025, which translates to approximately 50,000 plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) by 2025.

The launch of the Drive Electric Pledge coincides with National Drive Electric Week, as well as the much anticipated Global Climate Strike, that in Vermont includes various events and a largeClimate Strikerally on September 20.

To make the Drive Electric Pledge or to learn more visit:

 https://suncommon.com/drive-electric-pledge/

About SunCommon: SunCommon is a market-solution to climate change with a purpose beyond profit. As Vermont’s largest solar provider and a NYSERDA quality leader in the Hudson Valley and Capital Region of New York, we believe that everyone has the right to a healthy environment and brighter future – and renewable energy is where it starts. SunCommon is a Certified B Corp based on a rigorous third party assessment of our commitment to the triple bottom line of people, planet and profit.

Our 160 employees are passionate about our values led business. Our mission is to tear down barriers to clean energy and use our business as a force for good. For more information, go towww.suncommon.com and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter @suncommon.

About Burlington Electric Department: Burlington Electric Department, Vermont’s largest municipal utility, serves more than 21,000 customers in Burlington. BED has a strong track record on energy efficiency, and Burlington as a whole uses approximately six percent less electricity today than in 1989. In 2014, Burlington became the first city in the nation to source 100 percent of its electricity from renewable generation. Following that accomplishment, BED and the City of Burlington have announced the goal of becoming a Net Zero Energy city across the electric, thermal, and ground transportation sectors by 2030.

About Green Mountain Power: Green Mountain Power (GMP) serves approximately 265,000 residential and business customers in Vermont and is partnering with them to improve lives and transform communities. GMP is focused on a new way of doing business to meet the needs of customers with integrated energy services that help people use less energy and save money, while continuing to generate clean, cost-effective and reliable power in Vermont. GMP earned a spot on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in the World list three years in a row (2017, 2018, 2019). GMP is the first utility in the world to get a B Corp certification, meeting rigorous social, environmental, accountability and transparency standards and committing to use business as a force for good. J.D. Power’s 2018 and 2019 rankings put GMP among top utilities for customer satisfaction. In 2019, GMP was named “One of the Best Places To Work in Vermont” by Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, and was the winner of the Deane C. Davis Outstanding Vermont Business of the Year Award.