Groennfell Meadery now brewing popular Mead with 100% RNG
St. Albans, Vt. – VGS and Groennfell Meadery announced today the premier ‘Craft Mead’ is now being produced using VGS’s first-in-the-nation renewable natural gas (RNG). The state-of-the art meadery – a brewery that produces mead, also known as honey wine – is using 100% renewable natural gas to power their custom-designed brewing system in an effort to become NetZero by 2030 as part of their “drink your values” business approach. VGS began offering RNG in 2018 and since that time, many business and residential customers have signed on, displacing over 60,000 MCF of traditional natural gas, that’s the equivalent of removing over 700 passenger cars from the road for one year.
“Thanks to our recent solar project with SunCommon and the RNG program from VGS, we’ve gone NetZero a decade ahead of schedule! It’s absolutely incredible,” says Groennfell CEO Kelly Klein.
“Groennfell Meadery is a great Vermont company and the latest example of how innovation and ingenuity can foster growth and sustainability when we lead with our values,” said Neale Lunderville, VGS President and CEO. “Our role at VGS is to be a catalyst for the change our customers want and expect. That is why we have set our sights on a carbon-free future.”
Groennfell Meadery has also developed major efficiency innovations including using the heat from fermentation to heat their building during the winter, and reducing their production energy input by 92% over the last eight years.
Since launching, VGS has seen strong growth in its first-of-its-kind RNG program. Groennfell Meadery joins Vermont Coffee Company in Middlebury which became 100% renewable in 2018. Businesses and residents can sign up for VGS’s RNG program to purchase between 10% and 100% RNG.
“Vermont Coffee Company is the only roaster in North America using 100% renewable biogas to power our roastery. It took a lot of work for VGS to get this supply online, but they were persistent,” said Paul Ralston, Vermont Coffee Company founder and CEO. “Our customers love that we are taking responsibility for our energy inputs. We congratulate Groennfell Meadery and know their customers will love them, too. Renewable biogas is the responsible choice.”
VGS’s RNG program is one part of the Company’s three-pronged approach to become NetZero by 2050, with a near-term goal of reducing its customers’ greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030. Greatly expanding efficiency improvements for commercial and industrial customers, such as Groennfell Meadery, is just one aspect of the Company’s overall approach to cut carbon.
“Energy efficiency is a cornerstone to maintaining affordability and comfort,” Lunderville said. “It is also the most effective way to reduce carbon. That’s why our plan to invest even more resources into energy efficiency, dramatically increasing our RNG program to include local sources, and continuing to partner with like-minded organizations on clean energy projects will help significantly move the needle when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
“We also want to thank Avonda Air Systems and Efficiency Vermont for helping us design our new water supply system. We wanted to have the most efficient system that could possibly be built, then having RNG on top of that makes us so incredibly proud,” says Kelly Klein.
For more information about VGS and its Climate Plan, including its first-in-the-nation renewable natural gas program, visit vgsvt.com.
About VGS
VGS is a leader in energy efficiency and innovation, offering a clean, safe, affordable choice for over 54,000 homes, businesses, and institutions in Franklin, Chittenden and Addison counties. The company plays an important role in Vermont’s clean energy future by displacing higher-emitting fuels, offering renewable natural gas service, and delivering award-winning energy efficiency programs. VGS is leading the country in the development of local renewable energy generation and has targeted a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and becoming Net Zero by 2050. For more information about Vermont Gas visit www.vgsvt.com
Media Contact
Dylan Giambatista
(802) 391-6475
dgiambatista@vermontgas.com
About Groennfell Meadery
Groennfell Meadery is a proud woman-owned, woman-operated B Corp located in Saint Albans, VT. They have been brewing Craft Mead since 2013 under their two brands Groennfell Meadery and Havoc Mead. You can learn more about their efficiency and social mission at DrinkYourValues.Groennfell.com.