Vermont is ready to be the New England renewable energy leader

March 17, 2015 | By Jaclyn Brandt

Vermont is looking to be the leader in renewable energy. The Vermont House of Representatives has passed a bill that would make renewable energy the main source of energy in the state.

A hydroelectric dam in Vermont. Credit: Watershed Management Division, State of Vermont

House Bill (HB) 40 is not only asking for 55 percent of the state's energy to be from renewable energy sources by 2017, but it also asks for customers to cut their consumption of home heating oil and other carbon-emitting fuels. The state of Vermont would also be required to meet a 75 percent renewable energy rate by 2032.

According to the Burlington Free Press, the other five New England states already have similar or more competitive renewable energy rates, but the Vermont bill's requirement to cut customer fuel rates will be something new in the region.

HB 40, also known as the Renewable Energy Standard and Energy Transformation (RESET), would change the requirements of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) within the state. It would override the current program, which allows renewable energy providers to meet their REC goals in state, while shipping those RECs to utilities in other states. HB 40 would require the providers to meet in-state standards, and could then only sell excess RECs to utilities out of state.

"Vermont needs a renewable portfolio standard now because the viability of Vermont's RECS has been put into question," said Rep. Rebecca Ellis, D-Waterbury.

Vermont is on its way to the goal of 55 percent, with many utilities and municipalities already past that goal, largely due to the fact that the state receives a large amount of their power from hydroelectric gams and biomass plants. Burlington recently became the first U.S. city to be run by 100 percent renewable energy. The city said they expect to save $20 million in the next 20 years from renewable energy -- which is comprised of hydropower, biomass and wind.

Gov. Peter Shumlin has already showed interest in the bill, which was passed by the Vermont House on Friday.

For more:
- read the bill

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/vermont-ready-be-new-england-renewable-energy-leader/2015-03-16