Vermont H 940: An act relating to miscellaneous public utility subjects

Bill Text

No. 97 Page 1 of 10
2026

VT LEG #389692 v.1
No. 97. An act relating to miscellaneous public utility subjects.
(H.940)
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
* * * Use of Thermal Funds * * *
Sec. 1. USE OF THERMAL ENERGY AND PROCESS FUEL FUNDS FOR
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION PROGRAMS
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of law or order of the Public Utility
Commission (PUC) to the contrary, the entity appointed under 30 V.S.A.
§ 209(d)(2)(A) that is also a retail electricity provider for the calendar years
2027–2029 may spend any amounts the entity has available to it through
annually budgeted thermal energy and process fuel funds and carryforward
thermal energy and process fuel funds from prior periods on programs,
measures, and services that reduce fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas
emissions in the thermal energy or transportation sector regardless of the
preexisting fuel source of the customer. The entity may also use thermal
energy and process fuel funds under this section to deliver thermal and
transportation measures or programs that enable fossil fuel and greenhouse gas
emissions reductions, such as geothermal test well funding, regardless of the
preexisting fuel source of the customer.
(b) Under this section, the entity shall also prioritize weatherization and
thermal sector efficiency programs within its offerings pursuant to this section,
and shall budget at least 60 percent of the funds for programs under this

No. 97 Page 2 of 10
2026

VT LEG #389692 v.1
section for weatherization and thermal sector efficiency programs, to be
offered to customers regardless of their preexisting fuel source, with a
minimum of 60 percent of those weatherization and thermal sector efficiency
program funds allocated for customers with low income and low-to-moderate
income and projects requiring electric panel or wiring upgrades or abatement
of other health- or building-related items to facilitate weatherization and
thermal efficiency.
(c) The entity shall seek approval from the PUC for all planned
expenditures throughout the three-year performance period as part of the
triennial energy efficiency utility planning process in the Demand Resources
Plan proceeding, and report, to the PUC, annually on program participation,
including any customer survey data obtained that discuss how impactful
incentives offered under this section were for customer adoption.
(d) Any funds spent on programs, measures, and services pursuant to this
section shall not be counted towards the calculation of funds used by the entity
for energy transformation projects pursuant to 30 V.S.A. § 8005(a)(3) and the
calculation of project costs pursuant to 30 V.S.A. § 8005(a)(3)(C)(iv).
* * * Energy Planning * * *
Sec. 2. 24 V.S.A. § 4348 is amended to read:
§ 4348. ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT OF REGIONAL PLAN
* * *

No. 97 Page 3 of 10
2026

VT LEG #389692 v.1
(b) 60 Sixty days prior to holding the first public hearing on a regional
plan, a regional planning commission shall submit a draft regional plan to the
Land Use Review Board for review and comments related to conformance of
the draft with sections 4302 and 4348a of this title and chapter 139 of this title
and, if it is seeking an optional determination of energy compliance, to the
Department of Public Service for review and comments related to conformance
of the draft plan with section 4352 of this title. The Board shall coordinate
with other State agencies and respond within 60 days unless more time is
granted by the regional planning commission.
* * *
(d)(1) At least 30 days prior to the first hearing, a copy of the proposed
plan or amendment, a report documenting conformance with the goals
established in section 4302 of this chapter and the plan elements established in
section 4348a of this chapter, and a description of any changes to the Regional
Future Land Use Map with a request for general comments and for specific
comments with respect to the extent to which the plan or amendment is
consistent with the goals established in section 4302 of this title, shall be
delivered physically or electronically with proof of receipt or sent by certified
mail, return receipt requested, to each of the following:
* * *
(2) At least 30 days prior to the first hearing, the regional planning
commission shall provide each of its member municipalities with a written

No. 97 Page 4 of 10
2026

VT LEG #389692 v.1
description of map changes within the municipality, a municipality-wide map
showing old versus new areas with labels, and information about the new Tier
structure under 10 V.S.A. chapter 151, including how to obtain Tier 1A or 1B
status, and the process for updating designated area boundaries. The regional
planning commission shall, if it is seeking an optional determination of energy
compliance, solicit feedback on its enhanced energy plan, including
consistency with section 4352 of this chapter and the enhanced energy
planning standards.
* * *
(h)(1) Within 15 days fo