S.294 creates Vermont's Whole Home Repairs Program within the Department of Housing and Community Development to provide funding for homeowners and private landlords. The program offers competitive grants and forgivable loans (capped at $50,000 per unit) to address habitability issues (like mold or lead), improve energy/water efficiency, or make homes accessible for people with disabilities. Landlords must contribute 20% in matching funds, cannot displace current tenants during repairs, and are prohibited from using renovated units as short-term rentals during the grant period. All grant details, including recipient names and amounts, will be publicly reported quarterly on the department’s website. This directly affects Vermont residents needing home repairs, particularly low-income households and landlords maintaining rental properties.
This bill (S.174) requires Vermont's State Treasurer to study existing Green Bank models from other states to determine if adopting similar approaches would accelerate investments in climate mitigation infrastructure, farming, and agriculture within Vermont. The study must consider creating a standalone Green Bank or adapting existing state entities, with input from climate councils, agricultural agencies, and public stakeholders. The Treasurer must report findings and specific implementation recommendations to relevant legislative committees by December 1, 2026. This bill does not allocate funds or create new programs - it is solely a preparatory study to inform future policy decisions.
This bill (H.716) changes Vermont's net metering rules for solar energy customers. It freezes the "negative adjustor" at a maximum of -$0.04 per kWh for excess solar electricity sent back to the grid and eliminates any adjustor for electricity used directly on-site ("behind-the-meter"). These changes directly affect residential and commercial solar customers who generate more power than they use. The policy takes effect July 1, 2026, ensuring solar customers receive clearer, more predictable credit calculations for their excess energy.
H 354 creates a new "thermal efficiency benefits charge" that Vermont utility customers using unregulated fuels (like oil or propane for heating) would pay as a separate line item on their bills starting July 1, 2025. The funds collected would go into an Electric Efficiency Fund to support programs, including a 25% incentive for installing high-efficiency biomass heating systems (without requiring other energy upgrades). The charge aims to fund societally cost-effective thermal efficiency programs that help meet greenhouse gas reduction goals under Vermont law. It directly affects residential and commercial customers of unregulated fuels, not electricity or natural gas utility customers.
H 253 aims to increase housing availability and affordability in Vermont by establishing "workforce housing zones" and supporting modular construction. These zones are defined by their proximity to job centers and will receive higher thresholds for environmental review under Act 250 for housing projects and subdivisions. The bill also creates a revolving fund at the Vermont Housing Finance Agency to incentivize the development of low-cost, energy-efficient modular homes through bulk purchasing and grants for off-site construction. Additionally, state funding for public water and wastewater systems will be prioritized within these workforce housing zones to support development.
H.426 provides funding for electric vehicle and eBike incentive programs, including $6 million for new plug-in electric vehicle purchases and $150,000 for eBike incentives in fiscal year 2026. It imposes a $0.30 fee on retail deliveries (subject to sales tax) to generate revenue for transportation initiatives and allocates $2.8 million to public transit agencies to maintain service levels. The bill also requires updated transportation standards to include complete streets and green infrastructure, establishes rules for electric vehicle charging equipment installation, and directs evaluations of projects to reduce vehicle miles traveled and emissions. These changes directly affect vehicle buyers, retail delivery vendors, public transit agencies, and municipalities seeking infrastructure funding.
H.394 requires renewable energy developers to align projects with Vermont Conservation Design and state energy goals during planning. It limits the Public Utility Commission's review of grid upgrades to stability, reliability, and public health/safety, while creating a Public Energy Advocate to support applicants. The bill also sets a minimum annual target of 20 MW for net metering systems and increases the threshold for stricter review from 15 kW to 25 kW for larger installations. These changes directly affect solar/wind developers, local planning bodies, and the PUC, streamlining approvals for smaller projects (12 months for ≤5 MW) while maintaining environmental and safety safeguards.
H 488 adopts Vermont's Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation Program, allocating over $150 million for transportation projects aimed at reducing emissions and saving households money. Key provisions include $2.4 million for new park-and-ride spaces (60 total), $21.9 million for bike/pedestrian infrastructure across 40+ towns, $6.5 million for environmental and trail projects, $52.7 million for public transit services like Go! Vermont, and $61.9 million for rail service. The bill directly affects Vermont residents through improved infrastructure and aligns with state climate goals outlined in the Comprehensive Energy Plan. It was signed into law by the governor on June 2, 2025.
H 224 would establish a new charge on heating fuel purchases to fund energy efficiency programs for thermal energy (like home heating). This charge would directly affect customers who buy heating fuel, with the revenue specifically targeting improvements to home energy efficiency. The bill includes a cap to limit how much the charge can be, ensuring it doesn't exceed a set maximum amount. The Public Utility Commission recommended this approach, and the bill aims to implement it as written.
H.287 creates the Vermont Small Nuclear Consortium to study the feasibility of reintroducing nuclear power generation in Vermont, specifically focusing on small modular reactors. The bill requires the Secretary of Administration to convene this group by August 2025, including diverse members like legislators from both parties, environmental representatives, utility companies, and state agencies. The consortium must examine past nuclear plant closures, legal barriers, stakeholder input, and financial resources, then submit a report with recommendations by August 2026. The bill appropriates $23,000 for the consortium’s operations and consultant fees.
