Energy

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 170: An act relating to net metering rates

This Vermont bill (S 170) freezes the current adjusted net metering rate for renewable energy customers until 2028. It directly affects residential and commercial solar energy users who receive credits for excess electricity sent to the grid. The key provision prohibits the Public Utility Commission from implementing new renewable energy credit adjustors or siting adjustors before the 2028 Biennial Update. This maintains existing billing calculations for solar customers without new rate changes through 2028. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFreezes current net metering rates for solar users, maintaining existing incentives without new rate changes, protecting renewable energy adoption and consumer credits.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill freezes net metering rates for solar, maintaining financial incentives for renewable energy adoption, which promotes clean energy use and reduces carbon emissions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Utility Regulation

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2026

H 631: An act relating to establishing energy storage goals

This bill establishes specific statewide targets for energy storage capacity: 200 megawatts (MW) by 2030, 450 MW by 2035, and 800 MW by 2040. It requires the Vermont Department of Public Service to track progress toward these goals in the state’s Comprehensive Energy Plan. The policy directly affects energy providers and infrastructure developers who must contribute to meeting these storage capacity milestones. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, creating a measurable framework for expanding grid-scale battery storage.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergySets mandatory energy storage targets (200-800 MW) to advance renewable energy infrastructure and grid stability, directly promoting clean energy expansion.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill sets binding energy storage targets (200-800 MW) to advance renewable energy integration, directly supporting climate goals and clean energy infrastructure expansion per environmental policy indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Storage

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 16, 2026

S 270: An act relating to a right to charge electric vehicles at home

This bill, S.270, establishes a legal right for unit owners in Vermont condominiums, planned communities, and other common interest communities to install and use electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) at home. It voids rules that unreasonably block or restrict EVSE installation in units or designated parking spaces, while allowing associations to impose "reasonable restrictions" (e.g., cost or performance-related rules). Associations must process installation requests within 60 days (deeming approval if denied later) and follow the same procedures as for other architectural modifications. Unit owners are responsible for all costs related to installation, maintenance, repairs, and electricity usage.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill enables EV charging infrastructure in residential settings, directly promoting electric vehicle adoption and clean energy transition by removing barriers to EVSE installation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 7, 2026

H 600: An act relating to appliance efficiency

This bill (H 600) updates Vermont’s appliance efficiency standards to align with recent federal regulations. It sets new minimum efficiency requirements for products sold in Vermont, including residential furnaces (requiring 90% AFUE for natural gas/propane models), boilers, power supplies, and lighting. Specific exemptions are included, such as for small incandescent lamps (under 50W BR30/BR40 types) and pre-2008 power supplies. The law mandates manufacturers comply with these federal benchmarks, adopting standards from 10 C.F.R. sections as of 2017.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates higher appliance efficiency standards (e.g., 90% AFUE furnaces), directly promoting energy conservation and reducing consumption per federal alignment.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentUpdates appliance efficiency standards to reduce energy consumption, aligning with federal environmental benchmarks and requiring higher efficiency for major appliances.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Oil & Gas

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 30, 2026

H 844: An act relating to sales tax and a new surcharge paid on fuel by owners of short-term rental and second home properties

H 844 (Vermont) modifies sales tax rules for fuel used in residential properties. It removes the sales tax exemption for fuel purchases when a property was used as a short-term rental or occupied by the owner for fewer than 183 days in the past year. Instead, owners of such properties must pay a new 3% surcharge on residential fuel sales. Revenue from this surcharge will fund the Home Weatherization Assistance Fund, which helps low-income households improve energy efficiency. The bill takes effect August 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 3% surcharge on fuel for short-term rentals to fund Home Weatherization Assistance Fund for low-income households, directly increasing tax revenue for public service funding.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds energy efficiency improvements for low-income households via surcharge revenue, directly advancing energy efficiency goals.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill imposes 3% surcharge on short-term rental fuel sales to fund Home Weatherization Assistance for low-income housing, directly advancing affordable housing programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Sales Tax Tax Incentives Energy Efficiency

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 191: An act relating to appliance efficiency

S.191 updates Vermont's appliance efficiency standards to align with recent federal regulations, requiring new products like residential furnaces (with a minimum 90% efficiency for natural gas models), boilers, power supplies, and certain lamps to meet specific energy efficiency benchmarks. The bill applies to manufacturers and sellers of these products in Vermont, with exemptions for low-wattage lamps (e.g., 50 watts or less) and cases where local building codes conflict with compliance. This ensures Vermont's rules consistently match federal energy efficiency standards without creating new requirements.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates higher efficiency standards for appliances (e.g., 90% efficient furnaces), directly advancing energy efficiency benchmarks per federal alignment.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates higher appliance efficiency standards (e.g., 90% furnace efficiency), reducing energy consumption and emissions per federal alignment, directly advancing environmental protection goals.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Oil & Gas

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 8, 2026

H 610: An act relating to an energy navigator program report

H.610 directs Efficiency Vermont to study creating a statewide community-based energy navigator program by January 2027. The program would provide in-person and remote coaching to residential consumers, especially low- and moderate-income homeowners, landlords, and renters, helping them navigate energy efficiency options, access grants/rebates, prioritize upgrades, and connect with contractors. It requires a report detailing program design, costs, funding sources (including $15,000 for the study and $150,000 for the Climate Economy Action Center), and projected energy savings. The bill does not implement the program but mandates a study to inform future rollout.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill directs study for community energy navigator program to improve residential energy efficiency access, aligning with support indicators for consumer energy efficiency programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirects study for energy efficiency navigator program aiding low-income households, promoting conservation and reduced emissions through access to rebates and upgrades.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingTargets low/moderate-income housing occupants with energy efficiency support, reducing utility costs to improve housing affordability85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

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vetoed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 710: An act relating to defining electricity generating facilities

H 710 clarifies when multiple electricity-generating facilities (like wind turbines or solar arrays) count as a single "plant" for regulatory purposes in Vermont. It states that facilities using the same technology (e.g., wind or solar) on the same or adjacent land parcels will be treated as one plant, unless specific exceptions apply. These exceptions cover individual net-metering systems (not on the same parcel), multi-owner projects on shared community land, or colocation of certain renewable energy programs with separate grid connections. The bill directly affects utility companies, renewable energy developers, and property owners managing multiple generating facilities, streamlining how the Public Utility Commission reviews projects. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyClarifies regulatory grouping for wind/solar facilities, streamlining renewable energy project development under shared technology/land rules.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentClarifies regulatory treatment for renewable energy facilities (wind/solar), enabling streamlined development of clean energy projects that advance environmental protection goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Utility Regulation

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passed · Vermont · House Mar 27, 2026

H 718: An act relating to building energy efficiency

H.718 establishes a new residential building code (based on the International Residential Code) for Vermont, effective January 1, 2028, to be administered by the Division of Fire Safety. It requires contractors to disclose criminal records, creates a task force to improve the contractor registry and develop voluntary energy certifications, and grants municipalities authority to enforce both residential and commercial building energy standards. This bill directly affects homeowners (through updated construction standards), contractors (via registry changes and disclosure requirements), and local governments (with new enforcement powers). The key changes aim to improve consistency, compliance, and transparency in building energy efficiency standards across Vermont.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes stricter energy efficiency standards for buildings, mandates voluntary certifications, and empowers municipalities to enforce compliance, directly advancing energy efficiency goals.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates energy efficiency standards for buildings, reducing emissions and promoting sustainable construction through enforceable codes and certifications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 171: An act relating to the Clean Fuels Program

This bill requires Vermont's Environmental Conservation Commissioner to establish low carbon fuel standards for gasoline, diesel, and alternative fuels. It mandates a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per unit of fuel energy by 2030 (compared to 2018 levels), covering all fuels used in transportation. Key mechanisms include a credit-trading system for compliance, exemptions for importers below 500,000 gallons annually, and specific ASTM standards for biodiesel blends (B6-B20 and B100). The rules must consider other states' standards, evaluate safety/environmental impacts, and ensure fuel quality.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates 10% GHG reduction in transportation fuels via low carbon standards, biodiesel requirements, and credit-trading system, advancing clean energy transition.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 10% GHG reduction in transportation fuels by 2030 via low carbon standards, credit-trading system, and ASTM biodiesel requirements, directly advancing climate goals.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates low carbon fuel standards for transportation fuels, requiring 10% GHG reduction by 2030, directly advancing sustainable transportation through emissions targets and biodiesel standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Conservation

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