Energy

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2026

H 767: An act relating to moratoria on climate change programs

H.767 proposes a temporary eight-year pause on several key climate change programs in Vermont, including the Renewable Energy Standard (requiring 100% renewable electricity by 2030), the Clean Heat Standard, and the Global Warming Solutions Act. The bill would halt enforcement of these laws, directly affecting Vermont residents (particularly low- and moderate-income households facing energy costs), utilities, and landowners subject to current regulations. Its key mechanism is a moratorium to evaluate the combined impacts of these programs on housing affordability, energy costs, and private property rights. The bill states this pause is necessary to balance environmental goals with economic realities before continuing implementation.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill imposes 8-year moratorium on Renewable Energy Standard (100% renewable by 2030) and other climate programs, halting enforcement of key clean energy mandates.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill imposes 8-year moratorium on climate programs (Renewable Energy Standard, Clean Heat Standard), halting enforcement of key environmental regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Climate Change

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 14, 2026

H 677: An act relating to primary, secondary, and local importance agricultural soils and solar energy generation

This bill requires solar energy project developers to disclose soil types on proposed sites, specifically detailing the acreage of prime farmland and other agricultural soils affected. It mandates the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets to be a required party in all solar facility siting cases before Vermont's Public Utility Commission, ensuring agricultural impacts are formally considered. The bill explicitly states that restricting farming on more than five acres for solar projects would constitute an undue burden, prioritizing agricultural land preservation. This directly affects solar developers planning facilities over 500 kilowatts on agricultural land, requiring them to provide detailed soil impact data during permitting.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyMandates agricultural review for solar projects, adding barriers that could delay or block development on farmland, restricting renewable energy expansion.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires soil disclosure and agricultural agency involvement for solar projects, protecting farmland from conversion to solar facilities, thus conserving natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Utility Regulation Conservation

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 16, 2026

H 712: An act relating to the Uniform Capacity Tax and Farm Security Special Fund

This bill increases the annual tax on solar power generation capacity in Vermont from $4 to $16 per kilowatt and redirects half of the new revenue to a newly created Farm Security Special Fund. The fund will provide grants covering up to 50% of uninsured financial losses for farms affected by defined weather events like floods, droughts, or extreme heat. It directly affects solar energy businesses (above 50kW capacity) and Vermont farms experiencing weather-related income loss. The fund will be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, with grants awarded after consultation with a Farm Security Review Board.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases solar tax to fund Farm Security Special Fund, providing grants for weather-related farm losses, directly allocating tax revenue to essential agricultural support program.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyIncreases solar tax from $4 to $16/kW, directly raising costs for solar businesses and restricting renewable energy development.92% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill increases solar tax ($4→$16/kW), directly hindering clean energy adoption. Farm Security Fund supports climate adaptation but doesn't offset solar tax's negative impact on environmental progress.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 561: An act relating to electric generation facility fees

H 561 increases fees for small-scale electric generation projects in Vermont. It doubles the application fee for facilities under 50 kW (like rooftop solar or small hydro) from $100 to $200, and raises modification fees from $25 to $200. Larger projects not qualifying for these lower rates will pay $8 per kW (up from $5) plus a $400 modification fee. The bill affects residential and small business energy project developers seeking permits, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyIncreases fees for small renewable projects (rooftop solar/small hydro), creating financial barriers to development per bill's fee hikes for under-50kW facilities.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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introduced · Vermont · House May 20, 2025

H 518: An act relating to repealing the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program

H.518 proposes to repeal the State Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program. If enacted, the Agency of Natural Resources would not be required to establish or implement this program. The bill would also eliminate the requirement for the State Treasurer to assess the cost of greenhouse gas emissions to Vermont and its residents. Any state positions authorized for the program or assessment would be terminated, and appropriated funds would be returned to the General Fund.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill repeals Climate Superfund program, eliminating required emissions cost assessments and returning funds to General Fund, defunding specific initiative.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals Climate Superfund program that assessed emissions costs and funded climate initiatives, defunding climate action efforts related to energy infrastructure.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals Climate Superfund program requiring emissions cost assessments and terminates related duties, weakening environmental cost recovery measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Climate Change Hazardous Materials

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introduced · Vermont · House Apr 10, 2025

H 503: An act relating to delaying the requirements of the Advanced Clean Truck rule

H 503 would delay the implementation of Vermont's Advanced Clean Truck rule by five years, moving the effective date from model year 2031 to 2036. The rule would require heavy truck manufacturers and fleet operators in Vermont to gradually adopt zero-emission truck models. This bill directly affects commercial trucking businesses and manufacturers who would have been subject to the emissions standards starting in 2031. The key provision is simply extending the timeline for compliance without altering the rule's emissions requirements.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill delays Advanced Clean Truck rule implementation by 5 years, weakening zero-emission truck adoption requirements and delaying progress toward clean energy standards.92% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill delays emissions rule for trucks by 5 years, weakening environmental protections by allowing continued use of polluting vehicles and postponing zero-emission adoption.95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill delays emissions compliance deadline for commercial trucks, weakening the original clean truck rule's timeline and reducing near-term environmental impact on transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Freight

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failed · Vermont · Senate Feb 25, 2025

S 68: An act relating to repealing the Affordable Heat Act

This bill repeals Vermont's Affordable Heat Act, which established the Clean Heat Standard program requiring heating fuel businesses to meet emissions targets. It removes the Clean Heat Standard from state law (repealing 30 V.S.A. chapter 94), eliminates a requirement for tax authorities to disclose heating fuel business data to regulators, and abolishes specific government positions supporting the program as of January 1, 2026. The bill directly affects heating fuel businesses, the Public Utility Commission, and the Department of Public Service by ending regulatory requirements and administrative support for the Clean Heat Standard. It takes effect upon passage, though it failed to advance in committee with 12 votes in favor and 18 against.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals Clean Heat Standard requiring emissions targets for heating fuel businesses, removing regulatory requirements that supported cleaner energy transition.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals emissions targets for heating fuel businesses, removing Clean Heat Standard program that required emissions reductions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Utility Regulation

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2025

H 62: An act relating to repealing the Global Warming Solutions Act

H 62 repeals Vermont's Global Warming Solutions Act, specifically removing the Vermont Climate Council and replacing mandatory greenhouse gas reduction requirements with voluntary "goals." It amends state law to change emissions targets from legally binding requirements to non-binding goals, removes the requirement for state agencies to consider emissions in decisions, and repeals the Low Emission Vehicle Rules. These changes would shift climate policy from a structured, mandated approach to a more flexible framework without oversight. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals mandatory emissions targets, removes climate council, and repeals low emission vehicle rules, weakening binding climate policy and clean energy standards.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals mandatory climate targets, replaces with voluntary goals, removes emissions requirements, and repeals Low Emission Vehicle Rules, weakening environmental regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2025

H 16: An act relating to repealing the Affordable Heat Act

This bill (H 16) repeals Vermont’s Affordable Heat Act, which established the Clean Heat Standard program. It removes requirements for heating fuel providers to meet emissions standards and eliminates two state positions created to administer the program (one at the Public Utility Commission, one at the Department of Public Service). The bill also deletes references to the Clean Heat Standard from tax law, ending the requirement for fuel providers to report to state agencies about compliance. This directly affects heating fuel businesses and state agencies responsible for the Clean Heat Standard program. The repeal takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals Clean Heat Standard program requiring emissions standards for heating fuels, removing regulatory requirements and ending compliance reporting for clean energy standards.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals Clean Heat Standard program, removing emissions requirements for fuel providers and weakening environmental regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Utility Regulation

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Mar 11, 2025

S 110: An act relating to changes to Vermont’s air pollution and renewable energy laws

S.110 repeals Vermont's Affordable Heat Act and removes the citizen suit provision from the Global Warming Solutions Act. It changes the state's greenhouse gas reduction requirements from legally binding targets to goals while maintaining the same emission reduction targets: 26% below 2005 levels by 2025, 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The bill also replaces the Renewable Energy Standard with a Clean Energy Standard, which may broaden the definition of eligible clean energy sources. These changes affect Vermont's regulatory approach to climate policy, impacting state agencies, energy providers, and public compliance with emissions goals.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals binding climate targets, replaces Renewable Energy Standard with broader Clean Energy Standard, weakening enforceability of emission goals while maintaining identical targets.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals Affordable Heat Act, removes citizen suits, changes binding targets to non-binding goals, weakening enforcement of emissions reductions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Air Quality Climate Change

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