Energy

Energy planning that meets legal requirements and improves local community.

A municipal enhanced energy plan is an optional addition to the standard municipal plan under 24 VSA § 4352 and is intended to implement the Vermont Comprehensive Energy Plan while also giving municipalities more local decision-making power in siting renewable energy generators.

SECTION 248

30 V.S.A. § 248 requires that all new energy generators receive a Certificate of Public Good from the Public Utility Commission (PUC) before they are allowed to operate. The PUC must confirm that the generator will not interfere with orderly development of the region. Approved Enhanced Energy Plans are given “substantial deference” to influence the siting of energy generators and the RRPC Regional Committee also reviews Section 248 applications for conformance with the Rutland Regional Plan.

Connecting the planning with projects to upgrade our critical public buildings.

This legislation provides funding for municipalities to improve their energy resilience through public outreach and investments in energy efficiency measures for municipal buildings. The RRPC is working directly with municipalities to identify and manage energy efficiency projects for municipally owned buildings.

Municipal energy committees work on community-level energy projects in their municipality.

Some activities can include public outreach, writing energy plans, and advancing weatherization. Some of the advantages of an energy committee are to save taxpayer money, increase energy efficient resources, and become a local leader in energy conservation and/or efficiency. The RRPC can help get a committee organized, facilitate, and even provide meeting space.

The RRPC is here to help your town navigate the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

Important energy laws and regulations to know:

• The Comprehensive Energy Plan (CEP) – The Comprehensive Energy Plan is the road map for Vermont to meet its renewable energy goals of 25% of all energy needs from renewable sources by 2025, 45% by 2035, and 90% by 2050. Read more…
• The Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) – The Global Warming Solutions Act created legally binding emission reduction requirements for Vermont. Read more…
• The Climate Action Plan (CAP) – The Climate Action Plan outlines pathways to meet the GWSA requirements of reducing greenhouse gas pollution to 26% below 2005 levels by 2025, 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Read more…
• The Renewable Energy Standard (RES) – The Renewable Energy Standard obligates all electrical utilities to procure a defined percentage of their total retail electric sales from renewable energy. Read more…

The RRPC has the most accurate and up-to-date information to save you time, effort, and money in all your local planning endeavors.

HELPFUL LINKS

• MERP Application
• Enhanced Energy Plan Standards