Tuesday, May 7, the Vermont Senate passed H.289, to modernize the Renewable Energy Standard and set Vermont on a path to delivering 100% renewable electricity across all the state’s utilities by 2035.
This would make Vermont only the second state to meet that critical benchmark, and would significantly increase the requirements for Vermont utilities to support the deployment of new renewable energy. The bill will now head to the governor.
If enacted into law, H.289 will be the first major update to the Renewable Energy Standard in almost a decade. It represents the largest single move towards renewable electricity and away from fossil fueled power that Vermont has ever taken, by a wide margin. In terms of cutting carbon pollution, this bill will be the equivalent of taking approximately 160,000-250,000 cars off the road, for good.
“Vermonters have made clear over and over again that addressing the climate crisis must be a priority, and that the status quo is simply unacceptable,” said Ben Edgerly Walsh, Climate and Energy Program Director for VPIRG. “The incredibly strong vote for this bill is yet another sign that Vermont legislators have heard that message loud and clear. We deeply appreciate all the hard work Vermont representatives have done to make this bill a reality.”
Peter Sterling, executive director of Renewable Energy Vermont, stated: “Today’s vote shows that most Senators agree that increasing our reliance on renewable energy makes sense both environmentally and economically. Many thanks to Senator Chris Bray and Senator Anne Watson for their leadership and hard work on this bill in the Senate.”
H.289 would:
Double the amount of new renewables Vermont utilities are required to build in the state – particularly small and medium-sized renewables – from 10% to 20% of the electricity they deliver. This is expected to be met mostly with new solar energy.
Create a new requirement for Vermont utilities to provide their customers with additional, new renewable energy of any size from anywhere in the region. This requirement is over and above the in-state requirement described above – an additional 20% by 2035 for Green Mountain Power, and an additional 10% by 2035 for Vermont’s other utilities.
Require all Vermont utilities to provide 100% renewable electricity to their customers by 2030 for Green Mountain Power and Vermont Electric Coop, and by 2035 for others.
“VNRC deeply appreciates the leadership of Senate members who voted today to ensure that Vermont curates the cleanest grid possible, as more Vermonters lean into electricity for heating, transportation and power needs,” said Johanna Miller, energy and climate program director at Vermont Natural Resources Council. “On the heels of yet another record-breaking warm year, this foundation is essential to ensure Vermont does its part to cut planet-warming pollution while also saving Vermonters significantly over time with far more efficient energy resources.”
The bill also phases out offsite or “virtual” net metering — a program that had potential to be a scalable opportunity for all Vermonters to participate in community solar but unfortunately never fully lived up to that potential. The bill requires an analysis and recommendations on a “successor program” to offsite group net metering that surpasses current or future options available to Vermonters who are currently unable to install solar on their properties.
Other important changes in the bill are:
Adding efficiency and lifecycle greenhouse gas accounting metrics that significantly limit — and in most cases prohibit — eligibility of new biomass plants to meet the Renewable Energy Standard’s requirements.
Preventing power from any newly-flooded lands by Hydro Quebec from being labeled a new renewable.
Changing from a “one size fits all” requirement for utilities to renewable requirements tailored to the individual needs of Vermont’s smaller rural co-ops and municipal utilities in order to help control costs for ratepayers.
Vanessa Rule, co-director and Lead Organizer of 350VT, shared: “Community conversations across the state and the ensuing grassroots support for this bill show that many Vermonters want truly clean and just electricity. Now we need to get to work meeting the new goals with a strong community solar program, well-sited projects that protect farmland and ecosystems, and ensure this electricity is affordable and available for everyone. We look forward to building on this important first step and thank the legislature for its hard work.”
“Reforming Vermont’s RES is the lynchpin to the state’s ability to reduce carbon pollution. As more people transition to electric vehicles and heat pumps, we will need to build more clean, renewable electricity sources,” said CLF Vice President Elena Mihaly.
Lauren Hierl, executive director of Vermont Conservation Voters, added, “After the recent flooding and other climate disasters facing Vermont communities, it’s encouraging that Vermont is on the cusp of adopting one of the most ambitious renewable energy standards in the country. This bill is an important step in Vermont’s efforts to cut climate pollution and leave a better Vermont for future generations.”
