Editor’s note: This commentary is by Chris Recchia, the commissioner of the Vermont Department of Public Service.
[S]oon after the New Year the Public Service Department will publish the final version of the updated Comprehensive Energy Plan (CEP), the roadmap for Vermont’s energy future. As with the last plan in 2011, this effort involved the participation of hundreds of Vermonters in public meetings and through written comments.
The CEP means different things to different people. Some rightfully see it as a jobs plan, since the clean energy economy now supports over 16,200 Vermont jobs, or 4.8 percent of our work force. Others rightfully see it as an affordability plan since Vermont’s utilities are building out clean, renewable energy projects with a reduction in energy rates for most Vermonters three of the last four years, with cumulative rates increasing below the rate of inflation.
The reality is that the CEP is all of this and more. Underlying the CEP is one big goal I want to emphasize that is especially timely in light of the Paris accords recently concluded: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, combating climate change, and preserving a planet that is livable for future generations.
Vermont can and must make a meaningful contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. And we’re doing it: Our state’s leadership is spurring action on the local, national and global levels. If we are successful with our efforts, we will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 100 million tons by 2050, which is remarkable for a small state – and all the more so as we’ll do it by improving our economy and improving our energy security at the same time.
Vermont has established itself as a national leader in the development of renewable energy resources and is demonstrating that the transformation of our energy system can happen while helping Vermonters save money and without increasing electric rates. Net metering provides the opportunity for every Vermont electric utility customer to earn credits on their electric bills through investment in solar and other energy projects, either on their own property or through group net-metered community projects.
These Vermonters are undeterred by the magnitude of the global challenge because they realize that every action, no matter how small, contributes meaningfully to the effort and has the potential to spark real change.
Vermonters are embracing this effort. When the Vermont Legislature raised the statewide cap on net metering from 4 percent to 15 percent of peak load for Vermont’s utilities in 2014 expecting to get us through 2017, no one anticipated that that target would be reached before the end of 2015. But that is the case. Green Mountain Power, representing nearly 80 percent of Vermont’s ratepayers, announced recently that it had hit the cap and planned to continue to accepting certain net metered projects beyond the cap. Hardwick Electric, Jacksonville Electric and Vermont Electric Coop have hit the cap as well.
Vermonters have not only embraced the goal, but voted with their personal investments to advance it. This translates to over 6,000 Vermonters participating in net metering programs with many more to come next year. Vermont ranks second only to Hawaii in per capita use of such a program. All of this while holding Vermont’s electric rates down to the second lowest in New England.
Our statewide efficiency utility, Efficiency Vermont, also leads, both nationally and internationally, in energy efficiency. Burlington Electric Department, Vermont Gas and Efficiency Vermont all run energy efficiency efforts with the focus of reducing Vermonters’ energy demand. Because it is cheaper to reduce demand than to increase electric generation, the work of these utilities has also helped Vermonters keep their energy bills down while reducing Vermont’s overall energy demand and our greenhouse gas emissions. This innovative model has translated to millions of dollars in savings over the last four years and Vermont recently was ranked third nationally in energy efficiency by a national organization.
As world leaders gathered in Paris to forge an international agreement to fight climate change, Vermont local energy committee leaders gathered in Fairlee two weekends ago to advance that mission at a local level. Vermont has over 100 town energy committees that are working locally towards greater efficiency, greater renewable energy generation, and significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. These committees have worked effectively to build community solar projects, to retrofit municipal buildings, and to help their neighbors weatherize their homes. Nowhere else is there a stronger network of local organizations working aggressively to pursue these meaningful goals. These Vermonters are undeterred by the magnitude of the global challenge because they realize that every action, no matter how small, contributes meaningfully to the effort and has the potential to spark real change. They serve as an inspiration to us all.
On the national level, Vermont is playing an increasingly integral role, as the politics of climate change in Washington, D.C., make meaningful action by Congress nearly impossible. Given that reality, the focus has shifted to the states, like Vermont, that are actually making progress in the fight to reduce greenhouse emissions. With the gridlock in Washington preventing action, Vermont is filling the void and showing the way.
Last week, Gov. Shumlin traveled to Paris to share with national leaders, climate advocates and others from around the world Vermont’s innovative approach to tackling climate change. We are now global leaders. Whether it is our efforts to build out solar, wind, biomass and hydropower, to work with our neighbors to expand electric vehicle infrastructure, or help our electric utilities innovate so their goal is to help customers use less energy, the governor had a lot to share about Vermont’s efforts. Because of Vermonters’ commitment to this goal and their work, you should all be proud. We had many successes to share on the world stage, and all Vermonters should be proud that our state is a model for local, national and international progress as we do our part to save the viability of our planet.
