One of the stalwarts of Vermont’s renewable energy industry is announcing a round of layoffs.
NRG Systems of Hinesburg is letting go 18 employees, reducing its workforce to about 100. The company makes equipment for testing potential wind power sites.
Company officials say the wind power industry is being hampered by external forces, including an uneven playing field for U.S. energy subsidies, the looming expiration of the Production Tax Credit for wind, and abnormally low natural gas prices.
The workers will get severance pay, unemployment benefits and access to NRG’s employee assistance program.
NRG chief executive Jan Blittersdorf says she’s sad to have to make the move, but needs to do so to secure the company’s long-term future.