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Vermont State Energy Legislation

REV is the only organization dedicated solely to working toward increased renewable energy use in Vermont. It is important that you contact your representatives to let them know how important legislation that supports renewable energy is. Don't be shy about calling your legislators at home. They are elected by you and will be open to hearing from you.

You can find contact information for your representatives in the legislative directory,

follow Vermont energy bills using the bill-tracking system,

and read the news on the legislative updates page.

 

Current Legislative Session

Priority Bills

S. 209 - THE VERMONT ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND AFFORDABILITY ACT
S.209 was signed into law by Governor Douglas on March 19, 2008. Here are some of the more important aspects of the act that will increase our use of renewable energy:                              
• Improves net metering by raising the cap to 250kW, expanding the number of net metering systems allowed (from 1% to 2%), and allowing for full group net metering

• Establishes a new and simplified permitting process for meteorological stations used to measure wind resources

• Strengthens the existing SPEED (sustainably priced energy enterprise development) Program and existing Renewable Portfolio Standard

• Establishes a formula for calculating the fair market value of new commercial-scale renewable energy plants for the purpose of setting the statewide educational property tax

• Requires studies on increasing the use of biodiesel by state goverment and on reaching the goal of meeting 25% of our total energy from farm- and forest-based resources by 2025

• Creates a new heating energy-efficiency program for Vermont

S.350 - ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
S.350 has passed the Senate and is now in the House. Not focused directly or solely on renewable energy, the bill is important because renewables will be key to achieving its objectives, particularly:

• Developing and implementing a state agency energy plan to conserve resources, save energy, and reduce pollution. In part, state agencies are charged with identifying and implementing all opportunities to install renewable energy systems in any new construction or major renovation of state buildings.

• Reducing greenhouse gases from the 1990 baseline by 25% by 2012 and by 50% by 2028. In part, state agencies are charged with stimulating investment in low-greenhouse-gas technologies and considering the societal benefits of diversifying energy sources.


Other Renewable Energy Bills

H.850

An act relating to providing that net-metered power that reverts to an electric company shall be entitled to receive wholesale power rates
Bill information

H.793

An act relating to establishing the Vermont Carbon Offset Fund
Bill information

H.759

An act relating to encouraging biomass energy
Bill information

H.675

An act relating to facilitating the development of electricity from small hydroelectric projects
Bill information


H.667

Electric Generating Facility Kilowatt Hour Tax
Bill information


S.331

Workforce Development for Green Industries
Bill information

P.O. Box 1036 Montpelier, VT 05601
(802) 229-0099 info@revermont.org