SunCommon honored at Gov. Shumlin’s Inaugural Address
Today was a momentous day. And a particularly exciting day for our growing solar company. Gov. Peter Shumlin was reelected for a third term and chose to highlight Vermont’s strong and growing renewable energy sector as a centerpiece of his inaugural address. The Governor’s address wove a narrative of Vermonters looking to make a difference, entrepreneurs working to create jobs and Vermont’s continued dedication to our natural environment.
“We know what makes Vermont the best place in America. Without our mountains, hills, and valleys; our farms, streams, lakes, and forests – remote, quiet, and rooted in rugged marble, slate, and granite – Vermont would be just another place to live. Our natural habitat binds Vermonters tightly to our state; it’s what inspires others to put roots down here,” said Gov. Peter Shumlin.
The Governor’s address was not news, but rather a reminder of our responsibility as citizens. Our small, beautiful state can further the fight against climate change. These vistas, these luscious green hillsides and snowcapped mountains, are a daily visual reminder of what we’re working to protect.
“We know everything we hold precious is under threat from climate change and pollution. Time and again, since I’ve been Governor, we have borne witness together to the destructive power of extreme weather on our homes, businesses, farmland, roads and bridges. This extreme rain and flooding have also worsened our water pollution problems, hastening all that is undermining the beauty and health of our lakes,” said Gov. Peter Shumlin.
Vermont’s size and scale presents opportunities to build our green energy future and reduce our impact upon our land. Our progressive, small and innovative community is an incubator to transform big ideas into real solutions. Simply put? We get things done. So that’s why we’re here. SunCommon is a mission-driven pioneering Benefit Corporation right here in Vermont. We live here and we want to protect it. So, to do our bit we’ve focused our energy on green energy. House by house, panel by panel we’re changing the way Vermonters power their lives, their homes and their vehicles. And wouldn’t you know? We need Vermonters to get the job done.
“SunCommon of Waterbury Center is making solar more accessible for homeowners from all income levels and providing good jobs for young people who want to stay here,” said Gov. Peter Shumlin. “Look at Dayton Brown. Born and raised here, he attended Vermont Tech for engineering and joined the Vermont Air National Guard, serving a tour in Afghanistan. He is now making a life for his family, working for SunCommon. His co-worker Graham Fisk, a solar advisor for the company, came to Vermont to attend Middlebury College and, after leaving for a time in the big city, Vermont’s promise called him back. Dayton and Graham, we’re glad we have you.”
We’re glad we have you! Dayton and Graham are a piece of our beautiful puzzle. Our company doubled its workforce in 2014 and we are thrilled to see the excitement, passion and drive coming from Montpelier to further this renewable energy movement of ours. Our environment is important and none of this gets done without the support from our community. Gov. Shumlin’s focus on community solar and his proposal for an Energy Innovation Program highlighted how we can add “community-scale, locally generated clean energy to our portfolio.”
“No one knows better than Vermonters how to turn a challenging adversity like climate change into opportunity. Just look at our burgeoning green energy industry. Through Vermont innovation and collaboration, partnered with creative public policy and regulation, we are pioneering the development and deployment of locally generated, low carbon energy, creating jobs and putting money in Vermonter’s pockets while we do it. Yesterday’s huge power plant, far away out there somewhere, connected to us by endless poles and wires, will be supplanted by tomorrow’s integrated micro-grid, with community scaled renewable energy systems powering our smart, green homes and businesses.”
We’re grateful to see Gov. Shumlin lead the charge in building upon this community. Thanks for joining us.
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