FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2013
Contact: Mike Kanarick
802.735.7962
Mayor Miro Weinberger Responds to Burlington Electric Department General Manager Barb Grimes’ Retirement Announcement
Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger today responded to the retirement announcement of Burlington Electric Department General Manager Barb Grimes, in which she informed the Mayor of her plans to retire at the end of her current Mayoral appointment on June 30, 2014. Grimes has served the City of Burlington as BED GMfor nearly 15 years.
“The people of Burlington have benefited greatly from the many years of service Barb Grimes has given to the City and to the State of Vermont,” said Weinberger. “In her nearly 15 years at BED, Director Grimes used organizational efficiency, conservation initiatives, and strategic renewable energy investments to make the Department greener, while keeping the cost of energy low to the customers. While the BED team is losing a dedicated leader, the City will continue to benefit from the influence Barb has had on its members. I wish Barb much success and happiness with her post-BED plans.”
Grimes is the first woman to serve as the head of a Vermont Municipal Electric Department. She also is the first woman to be President of the New England Public Power Association. Since coming to BED, she and her team have continued to keep the use of electricity below 1989 levels through energy efficiency programs, including the newest programs of Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) for residents and On-Bill Financing for commercial customers. Grimes has made a priority of strengthening BED’s distribution system by upgrading the system to 13.8 Kv and reducing line losses, saving the Department more than $400,000 annually.
Weinberger and Grimes met this morning with BED staff to inform them of Grimes’ retirement plans. During that meeting, Weinberger shared his commitment to identify and appoint a talented and visionary individual to lead Burlington Electric forward and ensured the BED staff of a smooth transition.
*Please see attached letter of retirement from BED GM Barb Grimes to Mayor Miro Weinberger.
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