Energy Bill Summaries - 2012

As the 2012 Legislative session winds to a close, several important energy bills under consideration remain in flux. Learn more by checking out a summary of the bills provided generously by Renewable Energy Vermont and weigh in to move them forward at this critical moment.

VNRC Highlights Natural Resources Concerns Over Vermont Yankee

VNRC recently underscored our concerns with threats to natural resources posed by Vermont Yankee’s contamination of groundwater and thermal pollution from continued discharges of heated water into the Connecticut River. At a State House press conference March 21 – the day Vermont Yankee was scheduled to shut down

Vermont Energy Indepedence Day – March 21

Vermonters – like you – are being asked to describe what they are doing to reduce their energy consumption, cut their carbon footprint and transition to renewables. Grab a video camera and describe your everyday actions that are helping to move our state toward energy independence.

RPS Bill Advances!

The Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) bill — H.468 — just passed 10-1 out of the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee late this afternoon. The bill is geared toward spurring more renewable development generation and helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Ensuring a Strong, Smart, Sustainable Vermont RPS

Vermont is considering a ‘Renewable Portfolio Standard’ that would move the state forward in an essential direction to get more of our electricity from renewable sources. There have been many iterations of the RPS since it was first introduced this session, and VNRC has been supportive of Vermont enacting an ambitious and forward-looking RPS but have strongly cautioned against creating an incentive for inefficient and damaging development of Vermont’s forest resources for biomass.

VNRC Disappointed with Yankee Ruling; Future of Plant Still Uncertain

In a much-anticipated decision, Judge Garvan Murtha, of the United States District Court of Vermont, ruled on January 19, 2012 that the State of Vermont is preempted by the Atomic Energy Act from enforcing legislation that would have compelled Vermont Yankee to shut down in March of 2012.

Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy on XL Pipeline

Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy recently wrote a letter to President Obama expressing strong opposition to the Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline. He notes that Congress has tucked into a payroll tax bill approval for the pipeline. In the letter, Leahy says, "fossil fuels are finite, inefficient, and dirty. The cost we pay at the gas pump bears no resemblance to the long-term environmental and health costs borne by society as a whole.

Update on Building Energy Disclosure Working Group

During the 2011 legislative session, within the Energy Act of 2011, a working group was created to examine "…whether and how to require disclosure of the energy efficiency of commercial and residential buildings in order to make data on building energy performance visible in the marketplace for real property and inform the choice of those who may purchase or rent such property." This is an update from one of the members of that working group, Richard Faesy.

VNRC Weighs in on VY in Federal Court

VNRC recently filed a second brief in federal district court supporting the state of Vermont’s efforts to shut down Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant as scheduled in 2012.

Button Up Warkshops – Ready to Go:

Central Vermont Community Action Council, in partnership with Efficiency Vermont, is bringing back its popular Button Up Vermont workshops for the fall/ winter of 2011. We're seeking businesses, non-profit organizations, and community groups to host a workshop and choosing a date and location for the workshop, and promoting the event locally. We'll do the rest -- provide the professional presenter, provide materials, and help you publicize your event. We've got everything you need to make this a success.