Vermont Utility Starts Work on Energy Innovation Center

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Credit Green Mountain Power

Vermont's largest electric utility says work is getting under way on an energy innovation center in an existing building in downtown Rutland.

Officials with Green Mountain Power say the work began Thursday in the former Eastman building on Merchants Row when officials from the utility, the community and guests signed a 2-by-12 beam that was immediately incorporated into the framing.

GMP President Mary Powell says the building will be unlike anything in Vermont. She says she wants it to serve as a model of efficiency, sustainability and forward thinking on energy, that will drive long-term social and economic prosperity

The building will have a 14-kilowatt solar array on the roof and two car-charging stations.

It's expected to open in October.

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