Energy Challenges

In the year 2012 Vermont will face significant challenges in how we meet our current electric energy needs. Vermont's contracts with Hydro-Quebec will expire, as will Vermont Yankee's current license, both of which represent a combined total of two thirds of the state’s electric energy supply. This fact, combined with the impending oil shortages, portends that an energy crisis is on its way. Vermont needs a plan for how to proceed that respects Vermonters’ values and builds on energy efficiency and a sustainable energy portfolio.

Working with partner organizations and relevant state agencies, the Vermont Natural Resources Council will advocate for energy conservation and efficiency at all levels of energy production and utilization, pushing for appropriate legislative action necessary to implement efficiency standards throughout public and private institutions.

In addition, VNRC will support long-term transition from conventional nuclear and fossil fuels to reliable, low impact, renewable energy sources. Vermont exports over $1 billion out of state every year for energy, and has fallen behind in the move to increase energy production from in-state renewable sources while expanding broad-based energy efficiency programs.

VNRC’s primary concerns are fourfold:

1.) Vermont lacks an up to date overall energy plan and accompanying public process.

2.) Vermont continues to rely too heavily on out-of-state fossil fuel sources and the instate nuclear source.

3.) Energy efficiency programs and initiatives do not receive adequate support, and opportunities have been lost for implementation of creative co-ventures with Hydro-Quebec and the Canadian Provinces on energy efficiency measures.

4.) There is a lack of attention to the potential for sustainable, low-impact renewable energy resources in Vermont, such as biomass, low-impact hydro, small wind, solar, methane recapture, combined heat and power and other means of distributed generation.

VNRC continues to work on policies to promote increased conservation and efficiency, renewable energy infrastructure, and distributed generation. This includes initiatives to:

* Advocate for the improvement of the State Energy Planning Process.

* Develop a grassroots campaign to encourage towns to decrease energy consumption and increase clean, low-impact, renewable alternatives to augment their electrical, transportation and heating needs.

* Expand group net-metering.

* Adopt the LEED building standards for public and private construction projects.

* Create green pricing programs that offer tax credits and exemption for both small and large scale renewable infrastructure.

* Develop tax shifting initiatives to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency including continued advocacy for Efficiency Vermont.