By Guy Page

Supporters of Vermont’s existing “no-cost” smart-meter opt-out law are urging lawmakers to reject any changes that would allow utilities to charge customers who decline the devices.

School tax credit opt-in is back – but it’s aimed at public schools – In other news, the Vermont Senate is reworking the opt-in to the One Big Beautiful Bill’s $1700 tax credit for donating to a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) for schools. Originally intended by Congress and President Trump to include private schools, including religious schools, new language from Senate Appropriations apparently seeks to limit its use to after school programs, tutoring, and summer school for underprivileged students. The main recipients would be public schools, but private schools with a public school affiliation, or receiving state tuition, also would be eligible.

The amendment can be read on page 1534 on today’s Senate journal, under the Appropriations report to H.933.

It is unclear whether the Senate proposal would satisfy the legal requirements of the OBBB tax credit. “There are very few statutory requirements for a SGO in P.L. 119-21, leaving open many significant questions about the actual design and final implementation of the program. It is likely that these significant and consequential program components will be defined or clarified through the U.S. Department of Treasury’s (Treasury) rulemaking process which will likely begin in 2026,” the National Coalition for Public Education states.

The push for Smart Meter opt-outs comes as S.213, a Senate-passed bill now before the House Energy and Technology Committee, is being amended. Advocates say the bill — originally focused on water-meter issues — has prompted electric utilities to seek authority to impose fees on customers who opt out of wireless electric meters.

Under current Vermont law, residential customers may refuse or remove a smart meter at no charge.

Opponents of any fee say the policy is an equity issue, arguing that adding a cost would disproportionately affect lower-income residents who have health, privacy, or cybersecurity concerns about the devices.

“People should not have to pay to say no to a technology on their home,” Alison Despathy of Vermont Stands Up said in a message circulating this week that calls on Vermonters to contact members of the House Energy and Technology Committee.

During recent testimony, utilities told lawmakers they support maintaining an opt-out option but believe it is reasonable to charge customers for associated costs. Committee members are also weighing whether to include findings in the bill addressing potential health impacts of radiofrequency emissions from smart meters.

Advocates dispute assertions that the devices pose no health risk and argue that any fee would effectively limit access to the opt-out provision.

The bill remains under discussion in committee, and any changes to Vermont’s long-standing no-fee opt-out policy would require legislative approval.