by Guy Page
Gov. Phil Scott Thursday, May 23 vetoed H.289, the revised Renewable Energy Standard that would more closely tie the Vermont power grid to instate renewable power and cost ratepayers an additional $350 million – $1 billion over 10 years.
At issue is the Legislature’s plan to reach 100% renewable electricity vs. the governor’s plan to reach 100% carbon-free power.
On January 30, Public Utilities Commission energy analyst TJ Poor said in House testimony that the RES would “cost $1 billion to Vermont ratepayers.” Aware of the potential for sticker shock, the Renewable power trade group REV said the price tag is closer to $350 million.
Both figures are considerably higher than the PUC plan, which estimates $164 million to reach zero carbon emissions. Rather than significantly enlarging Vermont’s wind and solar generation – which Scott says threatens local control of the siting process – he wants utilities to contract for more out-of-state, non-renewable, zero-carbon nuclear and hydro power.
Vermont already receives power from New England’s two remaining nuclear power facilities, Seabrook in New Hampshire and Millstone in Connecticut. The Scott plan would contract for more from those two plants and elsewhere.
“I don’t believe there is any debate that H.289 will raise Vermonters’ utility rates, likely by hundreds of millions of dollars.,” Scott said. “And while that in itself is reason enough to earn a veto, it is even more frustrating when you consider our Department of Public Service proposed to the Legislature a much stronger plan at a fraction of the cost. Their proposal was crafted after 18 months of engagement with Vermonters about what they want their energy policy to look like. It would get us to where we all want to go faster, more affordably and more equitably than H.289.”
“With a better alternative to this bill available, I sincerely hope that the Legislature will think about Vermonters
and the cost of living, and sustain this veto,” Scott said.
No way, House supermajority leaders said today.
They say the bill’s development instate renewable generation and infrastructure will benefit the local economy, reduce the state’s carbon footprint, and wean utilities off the up-and-down prices of fossil fuel power.
“The legislation accelerates Vermont’s transition to 100% renewable energy by 2030 while supporting expanded in-state and regional renewables, ensuring price stability and affordability for utilities and ratepayers, and implementing safeguards against double-counting of renewable energy credits,” House Speaker Jill Krowinski (D-Burlington) and Environment and Energy Committee Chair Amy Sheldon (D-Middlebury) said in a joint statement today. “The bill is a result of collaborative efforts with Vermonters, utilities, energy developers, environmentalists, housing advocates and legislators.
“Having a vision through the Global Warming Solutions Act and a Plan through the Climate Action Plan and taking action to implement the plan is the leadership that Vermonters expect from us to address climate change,” Sheldon said. “Accelerating the pace of cleaning up the electric grid is key to cutting carbon emissions and slowing climate change. Moving to 100% renewable energy for most Vermonters by 2030 while meeting the needs of our diverse utilities is a hallmark of H.289 and represents the hard work of many stakeholders.”
“Today’s veto undermines Vermont’s commitment to a sustainable future,” said Vermont Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski. “Our collective efforts in crafting H.289 epitomize the collaboration needed to combat climate change. We must remain steadfast in our resolve to accelerate renewable energy adoption, ensuring a resilient and cleaner future for generations to come. As Speaker of the House, I am committed to ensuring that the will of the people and the urgency of addressing climate change are not derailed, and we will be addressing this bill in our veto override session in June.”
The veto session meets June 17.