It can't be a real one. Real ones have to be given out by the military.

No. A made up law enforcement one.

Look into the Vermont Green Building Network, the companies and individuals involved in that group. Vermont has an excellent group of informed, experienced people in the green building space.

Also just the value of being comfortable and knowing what your bills will be!

If you understand how the sun moves across the earth and how things like eaves are used in passive homes, this is specifically designed for. It is used beneficially by designing appropriately.

Something to consider here is the difference between a predictable expense and a variable expense. That 10% is rolled into the mortgage over decades and is a stable, predictable expense that results in an incredibly comfortable home (I cannot overstate how comfortable efficiency homes are). Versus the variability of annual energy expenses over time.

Really what needs to happen is factoring in energy efficiency into home value.

The US has a Passive House standard, the above commenter used the German spelling, that is much better aligned with US climate zones. Getting your home Passive House Certified is likely a bit over rated, like many certifications unless they open up funding.

You can absolutely build a Passive House without getting it certified which is totally worth is.

That being said, there are freaking excellent green building experts in Vermont with loads of experience who can guide you on what approach is right for you.

Spray foam is environmentally horrific. The expansion agent used in it is really freaking bad. White foam uses a different expansion agent that is exponentially less damaging.

Vermont has an excellent network of energy nerds. Check out the Vermont Green Building Network and the folks who get engaged locally in these projects.