Vermont

Regional Roundup Ranking

Vermont has long been a leader in electric energy efficiency programs in the region and the nation, featuring high levels of investment and strong energy savings targets. Under Act 61 of 2005, Vermont seeks to investment in “all reasonably available, cost-effective energy efficiency savings” as determined by the Public Service Board. In order to facilitate this, the Board has authorized three energy efficiency utilities to provide customer energy efficiency services, including Efficiency Vermont, Burlington Electric Department, and Vermont Gas Systems. The state determines its savings targets and investments every three years through its Demand Resources Plan Proceeding.

Complementing energy efficiency policies is a recently enacted law requiring retail electric suppliers to implement energy transformation projects related to the electrification of heating and transportation sectors in a manner that reduces fossil fuel consumption.  Strategic electrification is a major component of the state's 2016 Comprehensive Energy Plan.

The Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) recently launched Commons Energy, a Public-Purpose Energy Services Company. The goal of this new model of innovative energy efficiency financing is to improve building energy performance in municipalities, schools, hospitals and multifamily housing.
 
The Public Service Board continues to oversee the Demand Resources Planning Process, with the energy efficiency utilities having filed plans in December 2014.  The state's largest energy efficiency utility, Efficiency Vermont, is in the third year of their 2015-17 Triennial Plan.
 
Complementary Policies

Vermont was first state in the nation to enact 2015 model energy codes for residential and commercial buildings.

Policy & Program Information

State Offices

Public Service Board
Department of Public Service

Program Administrators

Efficiency Vermont 
Burlington Electric Department 
Vermont Gas

Additional Resources

Act 61 Relating to Renewable Energy, Efficiency, Transmission, and Vermont’s Energy Future
State Documents and Key Info- Vermont 
U.S. Department of Energy
SEE Action

 

Vermont at a Glance

Direct Jobs in Energy Efficiency 8,585
Electric Efficiency Program Expenditures $46.6 million
Gas Efficiency Program Expenditures $2.23 million
Per Capita Expenditures $86.62
Annual Electric Savings 113,112 MWh
Electric Savings as Percent of Retail Sales 2.06%
Annual Gas Savings 822,706 therms
Gas Savings as Percent of Retail Sales 0.68%
2015 program year data as reported to ISO-New England for its 2016 Energy Efficiency Forecast and to the NEEP EM&V Forum for the Regional Energy Efficiency Database (REED) and E2's Energy Efficiency Jobs in America report. Savings are expressed in net annual terms.

 

Business Leaders Reference

Stay informed

Stay up to date with the latest NEEP and industry news, policies, and trends to your inbox every so often.