Vermont S. 65: An act relating to jury service by senior citizens

Bill Text

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VT LEG #380343 v.3
S.65 1
Introduced by Senators Watson, Clarkson and White 2
Referred to Committee on 3
Date: 4
Subject: Public service; energy; energy efficiency; energy efficiency utilities 5
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend the 6
legislative direction to the Public Utility Commission to require the energy 7
efficiency utilities to prioritize greenhouse gas emissions reductions and 8
equitable access for all Vermonters and Vermont businesses 9
An act relating to energy efficiency utility jurisdiction 10
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 11
Sec. 1. 30 V.S.A. § 209 is amended to read: 12
§ 209. JURISDICTION; GENERAL SCOPE 13
* * * 14
(d) Energy efficiency and emissions reduction. 15
(1) Programs and measures. The Department of Public Service, any 16
entity appointed by the Commission under subdivision (2) of this subsection, 17
all gas and electric utility companies, and the Commission upon its own 18
motion are encouraged to propose, develop, solicit, and monitor energy 19
efficiency and conservation programs and measures, including electrification, 20

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energy storage, and appropriate combined heat and power systems that result 1
in the conservation and efficient use of energy. and Any programs and 2
measures supporting efficient use of biological and fossil-based fuels shall 3
meet the applicable air quality standards of the Agency of Natural Resources. 4
Such programs and measures, and their implementation, may be approved by 5
the Commission if it determines they will be beneficial to towards the 6
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions required under 10 V.S.A. § 578 and 7
beneficial to consumers or the ratepayers of the companies after such notice 8
and hearings as the Commission may require by order or by rule. The 9
Department of Public Service shall investigate the feasibility of enhancing and 10
expanding the efficiency programs of gas utilities and shall make any 11
appropriate proposals to the Commission. 12
(2) Appointment of independent efficiency entities. 13
(A) Electricity and natural gas. In place of utility-specific programs 14
developed pursuant to this section and section 218c of this title, the 15
Commission shall, after notice and opportunity for hearing, provide for the 16
development, implementation, and monitoring of gas and electric energy 17
efficiency, and conservation, electrification, active demand management, and 18
energy storage programs and measures, including programs and measures 19
delivered in multiple service territories, by one or more entities appointed by 20
the Commission for these purposes. The Commission may include appropriate 21

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combined heat and power systems that result in the conservation and efficient 1
use of energy and meet the applicable air quality standards of the Agency of 2
Natural Resources. Except with regard to a transmission company, the 3
Commission may specify that the appointment of an energy efficiency utility to 4
deliver services within an electric utility’s service territory satisfies that 5
electric utility’s corresponding obligations, in whole or in part, under section 6
218c of this title and under any prior orders of the Commission. 7
(B) Thermal energy and process-fuel customers. The Commission 8
shall provide for the coordinated development, implementation, and 9
monitoring of cost-effective efficiency and conservation programs to thermal 10
energy and process-fuel customers on a whole buildings basis by one or more 11
entities appointed by the Commission for this purpose. 12
(i) In this section, “thermal energy” means the use of fuels to 13
control the temperature of space within buildings and to heat water. In this 14
section, “process fuel” means fuel used in commercial and industrial 15
production operations. 16
(ii) Periodically on a schedule directed by the Commission, the 17
appointed entity or entities shall propose to the Commission a plan to 18
implement this subdivision (d)(2)(B). The proposed plan shall comply with 19
subsections (e)–(g) of this section and shall be subject to the Commission’s 20
approval. The Commission shall not conduct the review of the proposed plan 21

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as a contested case under 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 but shall provide notice and an 1
opportunity for written and oral comments to the public and affected parties 2
and State agencies. 3
(C) The appointed entity may be used to support the attainment of 4
building energy codes established pursuant to sections 51 and 53 of this title. 5
The Commission shall review and approve a methodology for the appointed 6
entities to support the attainment of code in the next Demand Resources Plan 7
Proceeding. The Commission is authorized to approve a methodology for the 8