Welcome back to another edition of the Climate Dispatch! We’re in the third week after crossover as the legislature votes on finalized bills in their first chamber. One bill that has passed in the Senate and is now being heard in the House is S.50, an act relating to increasing the size of solar net metering projects that qualify for expedited registration.  

If enacted, S.50 would expand the maximum size for eligibility in net metering credits, which solar owners receive for contributing excess energy to the grid. By increasing the maximum size for expedited registration, homeowners will realize greater benefits from larger projects. This expansion of Vermont’s net metering system both boosts the incentive to invest in renewables and provides tangible returns for Vermonters who transition to cleaner, cheaper renewable energy.

Today’s Episode

In today’s episode, we speak with Rep. Dara Torre (D-Washington-2) about next steps for S.50 in the House Energy & Digital Infrastructure Committee, as well as their exploration of community solar solutions, including a potential Renewable Energy for Communities Program, and ongoing efforts to maintain forward progress, not rollbacks, on climate action.

Call to Action

With repeated attacks on clean energy and climate efforts from the state and federal government, it is crucial that we hear from you as the Climate Council crafts a second version of Vermont’s Climate Action Plan and that we hold the line on our state’s existing commitments to protect our planet and transform our energy economy away from fossil fuels. The Climate Council is hosting listening sessions in communities across the state to hear from YOU.

Find a community listening session near you and let your climate councilors know that we cannot afford more rollbacks! 

Johanna Miller, Vermont Natural Resources Council 

Dan Fingas, Vermont Conservation Voters