VT Energy Act of 2011 Overview

VT Energy Act of of 2011
The Vermont Energy Act of 2011 continues Vermont’s efforts to promote a green economy and energy independence. Among the bill’s many provisions, it expands and improves Vermont’s successful net metering program and prevents a gap in funding for the successful Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF).

H.56, this year’s omnibus energy bill contains a kitchen sink of energy related provisions which are outlined below. Of particular highlight for the renewable energy industry, the bill does the following, in brief:

The bill expands net metering in Vermont. Provisions contained within H.56 increase the per-project cap from 250kW to 500kW and raise the percentage of net metering allowed per utility from 2% to 4%. Another provision establishes a statewide solar credit requiring utilities to offer a standard benefit at 20 cents per kWh produced by a customer’s solar system. The bill also establishes a simplified “registration” process for solar PV systems 5kW or less.
It also frees money within the Clean Energy Development Fund to provide $2.3M in bridge funding for the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Incentive Rebate Program.
In addition, H.56 preserves existing hyrdo and biomass power plants
The bill also establishes low sulfur and biofuels mandates for heating oil sold in Vermont.
The bill now also contains a provision which establishes an incentive for biomass heating systems.
The bill also updates Vermont’s Property Assessed Clean Energy districts (PACE) Program, making it easier for more towns to adopt this exciting program.
And provides specific guidance to the Dept. of Public Service on the development of the 2011 Comprehensive Energy Plan.
Click here to read through the full text of the bill.

For a complete summary of the all of the bill’s provisions, plus more details on changes to net metering, visit our Legislative Page.