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4 hours ago

Burlington Electric seeks continued flexibility to use thermal funds for weatherization and EV incentives Darren Springer, general manager of the Burlington Electric Department, told the committee H.0940’s section 1 would allow BED to continue flexible use of Thermal Energy Program Funds (TEPF), invest about $1.7 million over three years, prioritize weatherization for low‑income customers, and maintain EV and geothermal pilot programs; the committee moved the bill to Natural Resources with a Finance report and approved it.

Burlington Electric is on track to invest $1.7 million in vital weatherization and EV incentives, ensuring support for low-income customers and a greener future!

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#VT #EVIncentives #CitizenPortal #ClimateAction #WeatherizationInitiatives #VermontEnergy

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5 days ago

Committee reviews building‑energy package, contractor registry task force and municipal enforcement changes The committee examined H718, a broader building‑energy bill that directs an assessment of a residential building code, creates a residential contractor registry task force, expands energy‑education modules for trades, and clarifies municipal authority to adopt and enforce state energy codes with a temporary 'safe harbor' tied to the governor's executive order.

Vermont's H718 bill is set to redefine building energy standards and contractor regulations—could this be a game changer for energy efficiency?

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#VT #CitizenPortal #BuildingEnergy #MunicipalEnforcement #ContractorRegistry #VermontEnergy

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1 week ago

House Energy Digital Infrastructure committee opens markup of S202, seeks UL clarification on plug‑in photovoltaic safety The committee began a first markup of S202 on April 2, focusing on whether UL 3700 and related standards (UL 1741, IEEE 1547, NEC) and certification rules address backfeeding, inverter behavior and receptacle/circuit requirements; members agreed to request written and live testimony from Underwriters Laboratories and to invite landlords and insurers for follow‑up.

The House Energy Digital Infrastructure committee is diving deep into the safety standards for plug-in photovoltaic devices, raising crucial questions about certification and landlord regulations!

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#VT #SafetyStandards #CitizenPortal #CivicEngagement #RenewableEnergy #VermontEnergy

Cozzy Energy Solutions

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3 weeks ago

Heating Up the Northeast: AWHPs Take Center Stage - Cozzy Energy Solutions Heating contractors from across the Northeast convened in Winooski this afternoon to discuss advancements in residential heating technology, specifically a new generation of air-to-water heat pumps. Over one hundred professionals attended, including Jeffrey Grenier of Ludlow, to examine these emerging technologies. The summit, the first of its kind dedicated to air-to-water heat pumps, or AWHPs,

Heating Up the Northeast: AWHPs Take Center Stage #ISONE #HeatPumps #VermontEnergy #RenewableEnergy #AWHP #EnergyEfficiency

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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1 month ago

Committee hears bill to align enhanced energy-plan reviews and cut duplicate hearings A House Energy committee heard testimony on a bill (260781) that would require regional plans and enhanced energy-plan reviews to proceed on the same timeline, allow provisional RPC approvals, and fold the Department of Public Service’s public hearing into regional hearings to reduce duplication.

A new bill aims to streamline energy plan reviews in Vermont by aligning timelines and reducing duplicative hearings—could this be the key to boosting local participation?

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#VT #CitizenPortal #EnergyEfficiency #PublicParticipation #RegulatoryReform #VermontEnergy

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1 month ago

PUC and utilities tell Vermont House committee H.716 would shift costs, complicate implementation Witnesses at a Feb. 25 House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee hearing opposed H.716, a revised net metering bill, arguing it would shift costs to low- and moderate-income ratepayers, require costly billing changes and metering upgrades, and set unrealistic battery-installation targets.

Vermont's proposed H.716 bill is facing fierce opposition from utilities who warn it could unfairly burden low-income ratepayers and complicate solar energy implementation.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #UtilityRegulation #RenewableEnergy #AffordableSolar #VermontEnergy

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1 month ago

House energy committee hears Department of Public Service on 20-year energy plan and options for legislative study The Department of Public Service outlined the scope and schedule of Vermont's next comprehensive energy plan (due January 2028), highlighted equity and grid-resilience priorities, and discussed using the Joint Carbon Emissions Reduction Committee for focused legislative study while cautioning against duplicative work.

Vermont is gearing up for a groundbreaking 20-year energy plan that balances affordability, sustainability, and economic vitality, but what does it mean for the future?

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#VT #CitizenPortal #ClimateAction #EnergyResilience #SustainablePolicy #VermontEnergy

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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1 month ago

Department of Public Service seeks procedural fixes to Act 174 to align energy planning with Land Use Review Board timetable Department staff proposed procedural, non‑substantive changes to Act 174 to sync enhanced energy plan review with the Land Use Review Board process, consolidate public hearings, add a provisional determination to avoid coverage gaps, and give the agency up to a year to update standards after the comprehensive energy plan.

The Department of Public Service is proposing crucial procedural updates to Act 174 that could streamline energy planning and enhance public engagement in Vermont.

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#VT #EnergyPolicy #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #AdministrativeEfficiency #VermontEnergy

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1 month ago

House Energy panel explores reactivating Joint Carbon Emissions Reduction Committee to study Vermont’s energy future Lawmakers discussed using the existing Joint Carbon Emissions Reduction Committee (2 VSA chapter 17) to conduct focused summer and fall study on energy topics — including nuclear, net metering and battery policy — and reviewed statutory duties, membership and an estimated off‑session cost.

Vermont lawmakers are reviving a crucial committee to shape the state's energy future, exploring everything from solar to small modular nuclear reactors.

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#VT #LegislativeReform #CitizenPortal #CarbonReduction #SustainableEnergy #VermontEnergy

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1 month ago

House passes bill defining electricity generating facilities The Vermont House passed H.710 on third reading Feb. 19, 2026, approving a bill that defines electricity-generating facilities; the measure passed by voice vote and will move forward per legislative rules.

The Vermont House has officially passed a pivotal bill that defines electricity-generating facilities, setting the stage for significant energy policy changes!

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#VT #CitizenPortal #LegislativeProcess #RenewableEnergy #PublicPolicy #VermontEnergy

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1 month ago

Stowe energy committee chair urges passage of H.863 for charger reliability and a condo 'right to charge' Catherine Crawley, chair of the Stowe Energy Committee, told the House Transportation Committee that H.863 would improve charger reliability, require pricing transparency and create a 'right to charge' for condo and homeowner associations; she described local projects including a $19,000 Charge Vermont grant to relocate a charger to a municipal lot.

Catherine Crawley is advocating for H.863, a game-changing bill that promises to enhance EV charger reliability and empower condo residents with a 'right to charge.'

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#VT #ChargingInfrastructure #CitizenPortal #ElectricVehicleAdoption #SustainableTransportation #VermontEnergy

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1 month ago

House Energy Committee weighs H.716 to freeze net‑metering adjuster; members split on scope The House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee on Feb. 18 debated H.716, a bill to freeze a negative net‑metering adjuster at -4¢ and remove a behind‑the‑meter fee. Members said they support solar but disagreed about legislative rate setting, with many asking for a narrower amendment focused on behind‑the‑meter treatment and battery provisions.

The House Energy Committee is at a crossroads, debating whether to freeze a negative net-metering adjuster that could impact local solar jobs and future energy policies in Vermont.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #CleanEnergy #UtilityRegulation #SolarJobs #VermontEnergy

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1 month ago

Committee approves H.710 to revise definition of electricity-generating facilities for commercial solar The Environment & Energy committee approved H.710, a bill that revises Vermont’s statutory definition of "electricity generating facilities" to clarify treatment of commercial and utility-scale solar arrays (described in testimony as up to about 5 megawatts and 6–30 acres), sending the bill to the floor with an amendment.

Vermont's Environment & Energy committee just approved a groundbreaking bill redefining commercial solar facilities to promote sustainable energy development on previously disturbed sites!

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#VT #CitizenPortal #UtilityReform #SolarDevelopment #SustainableEnergy #VermontEnergy

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1 month ago

Vermont's proposed H.716 bill could revolutionize residential solar energy by eliminating the state’s negative charge, making solar power usage more financially viable for homeowners!

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#VT #EnergyPolicy #CitizenPortal #SolarEconomics #SustainableJobs #VermontEnergy

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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1 month ago

A proposed federal rule could shift power over data center rates from Vermont regulators to the federal government, raising concerns about state oversight and renewable energy obligations.

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#VT #GridReliability #CitizenPortal #FederalRegulation #RenewableEnergy #VermontEnergy

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1 month ago

Vermont's House committee is one step closer to modernizing phone networks, but will consumers still have access to essential services during the transition?

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#VT #TelecomModernization #CitizenPortal #EmergencyServices #VermontEnergy #CustomerDisclosure

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2 months ago

BGS tells committee it accepts audit findings and outlines fixes for State Energy Management Program Buildings & General Services (BGS) told the committee it largely agrees with an auditor’s audit finding deficiencies in data tracking, savings verification and project throughput for the State Energy Management Program and outlined staffing hires, plans to update baselines and reporting, and municipal grant activity funded by ARPA.

BGS has acknowledged critical audit findings regarding energy tracking and savings verification, and they’re rolling out a plan to revamp the State Energy Management Program.

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#VT #VermontEnergy #CitizenPortal #EnergyEfficiency #SustainabilityInitiatives #PublicAccountability

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2 months ago

Witnesses urge study and caution on Vermont Energy Equity Law; PUC points to Act 142 study At a Finance committee hearing on S.204, Carol Flint of the Department of Public Service urged a year of analysis before creating a statewide low-income rate program, citing rising disconnects and program design questions; a Public Utility Commission representative said the PUCstudy recommends against a new statewide program. The committee requested PUC rule text and the PUCstudy and took no vote.

Vermont's proposed Energy Equity Law faces scrutiny as rising disconnections raise questions about affordability and the need for thorough analysis before implementation.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #PublicUtility #ConsumerProtection #EnergyAffordability #VermontEnergy

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2 months ago

Fuel industry warns Vermont committee H.740 could create another imperfect emissions dataset At a Feb. 5 House Energy and Digital Infrastructure hearing, a fuel-industry witness told lawmakers that existing DMV and tax data reliably track gallons at import but lack county-level or end-user burn information, raising confidentiality and allocation concerns for a proposed greenhouse-gas registry.

A Vermont House committee is grappling with the challenge of accurately tracking greenhouse gas emissions, as current data fails to pinpoint where fuel is burned across the state.

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#VT #DataTransparency #FuelReporting #CitizenPortal #GreenhouseGas #VermontEnergy

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2 months ago

Committee reviews Vermont Energy Equity Law to limit utility disconnections and add PUC metrics Sponsor Maria Royal walked the committee through the Vermont Energy Equity Law, which would expand protections against involuntary residential service disconnections (including during extreme-heat periods), extend physician-certification protections, and require utilities to include plans and metrics to minimize disconnections.

Maria Royal is championing the Vermont Energy Equity Law to protect vulnerable households from devastating utility disconnections during extreme heat and beyond.

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#VT #UtilityProtections #CitizenPortal #ConsumerAwareness #EnergyEquity #VermontEnergy

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2 months ago

Rep. Derek Torrey proposes Vermont Energy Equity Law to curb involuntary utility disconnections Representative Derek Torrey introduced H.753 to require the PUC to strengthen rules on involuntary residential disconnections, extend the validity of medical certifications, bar involuntary disconnections during extreme heat, and create PUC performance metrics to reduce disconnections.

Representative Derek Torrey is tackling rising utility disconnections in Vermont with a bold new bill aimed at protecting vulnerable residents during extreme heat and ensuring medical needs are prioritized.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #ClimateResilience #VermontEnergy #UtilityEquity

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2 months ago

Rep. Scott presents nonbinding energy‑storage goals: 200 MW by 2030, 800 MW by 2040 Representative Scott presented H.631 to set nonbinding statewide energy‑storage goals (200 MW by 2030, 450 MW by 2035, 800 MW by 2040), arguing storage improves flexibility, reduces peak purchases and supports renewables; members requested testimony on targets, costs and treatment of behind‑the‑meter resources.

Vermont is setting ambitious nonbinding energy storage goals that could revolutionize how we manage power peaks and integrate renewable resources—are we ready for the change?

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#VT #VermontEnergy #RenewableIntegration #EnergyStorage #PolicyGoals #CitizenPortal

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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2 months ago

Local Energy Navigators ask legislature to fund statewide design study and $150,000 bridge for pilots Representatives of a volunteer Energy Navigators program told the Natural Resources & Energy Committee they have worked with about 200 households, help residents navigate incentives and electrification options, and requested $150,000 to bridge current funding while a proposed statewide study of energy navigation (S219) proceeds.

Local Energy Navigators are urging Vermont legislators to support their innovative program that empowers residents to make informed energy choices—could a small state investment unlock massive savings for households?

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#VT #SustainabilityInitiatives #VermontEnergy

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2 months ago

State energy report: Vermont faces sharp rate increases, slow weatherization and uncertainty in federal funding The Department of Public Service told the House Energy committee that Vermont electric rates have risen rapidly, weatherization retrofits lag the 2030 goal, federal funding disruptions have hampered program delivery, and flexible load and storage could reduce transmission-driven costs.

Vermont's electric rates are skyrocketing, weatherization efforts are falling short, and federal funding disruptions are creating chaos—what's the state doing about it?

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#VT #EnergyRates #VermontEnergy #CitizenPortal #FederalFundingIssues #WeatherizationProgress

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2 months ago

Green Mountain Power tells House committee it's 79% renewable, outlines storage, resiliency work and 7.5% rate filing Green Mountain Power told the House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee on Jan. 28 that its 2024 portfolio was 79% renewable and 100% carbon-free when including nuclear, described a 75 MW aggregated battery fleet and extensive storm-hardening, and said it has filed a 7.5% rate case to take effect Oct. 1.

Green Mountain Power reveals its remarkable commitment to sustainability with a 79% renewable energy portfolio and innovative energy storage solutions that are reshaping Vermont's energy landscape.

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#VT #RenewableEnergy #CustomerAssistance #VermontEnergy #GridResiliency

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2 months ago

State Energy Office says DOE program reviews leave home‑efficiency, electrification and solar plans in limbo Melissa Bailey, director of the State Energy Office, told lawmakers that DOE and EPA reviews have paused conditional awards and late‑stage approvals for Vermont’s home efficiency rebates, electrification grants and the Solar for All program — with the latter canceled by EPA and now subject to legal challenges.

Vermont's ambitious energy plans are in jeopardy as federal reviews cast uncertainty over critical funding for home efficiency and electrification programs.

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#VT #ElectrificationPrograms #HomeEfficiency #VermontEnergy #CitizenPortal #SolarAccessibility

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2 months ago

Bill would fund statewide community energy navigators to guide homeowners through efficiency and clean energy options H.610 would ask Efficiency Vermont to design a Vermont community‑based energy navigator program (modeled on an Addison County pilot) offering in‑person and remote coaching and includes a $165,000 FY'27 appropriation for design and initial expansion.

A new bill aims to empower Vermonters with personalized energy guidance, making clean energy options more accessible than ever!

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#VT #CommunitySupport #EfficiencyImprovements #CleanEnergy #VermontEnergy #CitizenPortal

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2 months ago

PUC recommends simpler 'single plant' test to limit aggregation of colocated renewables The Public Utility Commission told the House Energy committee Jan. 9 it recommends defining a 'plant' as generation on the same or contiguous parcels using the same technology, with limited exceptions for residential meters and separately interconnnected projects to protect program caps and ratepayers.

The Public Utility Commission is pushing for a simpler definition of "plant" that could revolutionize how renewable energy projects are classified and incentivized in Vermont.

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#VT #RenewableEnergy #VermontEnergy #NetMeteringReform #CitizenPortal #PublicUtilityPolicy

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2 months ago

PUC tells House panel raising fuel tax and more LIHEAP funds could expand weatherization; declines to recommend statewide discounted electricity rate PUC staff told lawmakers their Act 142 review recommends increasing the per-gallon fuel tax to fund expanded weatherization, and considering general-fund support for LIHEAP; the commission stopped short of recommending a mandatory statewide discounted utility rate because of administrative burdens and uneven uptake.

Vermont's PUC is pushing for a fuel tax hike to fund expanded weatherization efforts, but can lawmakers rise to the challenge of reducing energy burdens for households?

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#VT #VermontEnergy #LowIncomePrograms #EnergyAssistance #WeatherizationSupport #CitizenPortal

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2 months ago

Energy Action Network: Vermont spent about $3.3 billion on energy in 2023; price spikes drove large household pain Energy Action Network told the Natural Resources & Energy committee its 2024 annual report finds Vermont spent roughly $3.3 billion on energy in 2023; global price spikes raised fossil‑fuel bills by about $700 million in one year and added nearly $2,500 to the average household’s costs, the group said.

Vermont's energy spending skyrocketed to $3.3 billion in 2023, with fossil fuel price spikes adding nearly $2,500 to household costs!

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#VT #ClimateChangeAction #VermontEnergy #EnergyAffordability #FossilFuelImpact #CitizenPortal