FINAL COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY PLAN
RELEASED
Dec. 15, 2011 - governor.vermont.gov
DECEMBER 15 - MONTPELIER – Gov. Peter Shumlin,
Public Service Commissioner Elizabeth Miller and
other administration officials today released the
final Comprehensive Energy Plan, which recommends
that Vermont strive to obtain 90 percent of our
total energy from renewable sources by 2050, largely
eliminating Vermont’s reliance on fossil
fuels by mid-century.
“
Vermont needs to move forward to protect our environment,
gain greater energy independence, and drive innovation
and jobs in the energy sectors. This Plan puts
us on that path,” Gov. Shumlin said. “I
am proud of the incredible work put in by the many
agencies involved and the thousands of citizens
who took the time to participate in shaping the
ideas and actions that are included.”
The Plan calls for enhanced efficiency, and greater
use of clean, renewable sources for electricity,
heating and transportation to meet this goal. The
Plan also recognizes that Vermont must pursue its
goals responsibly, ensuring overall energy costs
for our businesses and residents remain regionally
competitive.
“
We worked hard both at the Department of Public
Service and in other state agencies and departments
to create a robust public engagement process and
to draft a Comprehensive Energy Plan that responds
to Vermonters’ desire to increase usage of
renewable energy for the benefit of our environment,
our economy, and our long-term energy security,” said
Elizabeth Miller, Commissioner of Public Service.
The Plan explains that, across all fuel sectors,
Vermont currently utilizes about a quarter renewable
energy for its needs. Moving from nearly a quarter
renewable energy now to nearly fossil-fuel free
by 2050 will:
·
Foster job growth, economic security and independence
by creating jobs in efficiency and local renewable
energy projects; by keeping our dollars closer
to home; and by cutting our dependence on dirty
price-volatile fossil fuels.
·
Safeguard our environmental legacy by reducing
our contribution to global climate change and leading
by example in the fight to keep our planet safe
and habitable for generations to come.
·
Keep Vermonters’ dollar instate, drive in-state
innovation and job creation by showing that investments
in efficiency and renewable energy, which help
our environment and energy independence, also help
our economy.
·
Increase community involvement and investment by
engaging Vermonters in our energy choices.
This marks the first Vermont Comprehensive Energy
Plan since the late 1990s. The Plan covers electricity,
heating and process fuels, and energy in transportation
and land use decisions.
The Department of Public Service, charged by statute
to create a statewide Plan, led a multi-agency
initiative that involved robust public outreach
and garnered over 9,000 comments from Vermonters
on a variety of energy issues facing the state.
Vermont currently obtains almost a quarter of its
energy from renewable sources, due in large part
to the electric portfolio, which is comprised of
nearly 50 percent renewable sources. Great progress
has been made in electric efficiency, keeping Vermont’s
electric demand down.
However, comparatively little progress has been
made on obtaining transportation and heating from
renewable sources. The Plan calls for greater progress
in these sectors to benefit Vermont’s environment,
comfort, and affordability.
