Vermont's Public Service Board established standard interconnection safety and technological requirements for net metered systems in April 1999 (Docket 6181).

The Vermont Public Service Board has also developed a 9-page application form for net metered systems to receive a "certificate of public good." The application requires environmental information and provides for utility certification within ten days of receipt.

Sales Tax Exemption
All equipment purchased to construct and install a net-metered renewable energy system is exempt from the state's 5% sales tax under Title 32 Section 9741(46). Receipts from "tangible personal property to be incorporated into a net metering system" are exempt from Vermont's tax on retail sales imposed under Section 9771 and the use tax imposed under Section 9773.

Property Tax Exemption
Under Title 32 Section 3845, the state of Vermont allows municipalities the option of offering property tax exemptions for certain renewable energy systems. The property to be exempted includes but is not be limited to "grist mills, windmills, facilities for the collection of solar energy or the conversion of organic matter to methane, and all component parts thereof including land upon which the facility is located, not to exceed one-half acre." Adoption of this exemption varies from one municipality to another, but the exemption typically applies to the total value of the qualifying renewable energy system and can be applied to residential, commercial, and industrial real and personal property.

Wind Energy Demonstration Grants
The Vermont Department of Public Service (DPS) is offering a total of $311,000 in grants to fund wind-energy demonstration projects. Grants will support the installation of small-scale, net-metered wind systems on farms, schools and in other public areas. There is a maximum award of $30,000 per project – except for farm projects, which have a $50,000 maximum – and a 50% cost-share requirement, which may include in-kind contributions. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are distributed.  

Funding for the DPS Wind Development Program has been allocated by the U.S. Department of Energy in three phases, beginning in 2002. During Phase 1 of the program, the DPS supported the development of demonstration wind sites, developed educational programs, and addressed permitting and regulatory issues.  During Phase 2, the DPS conducted wind evaluation design and development analysis; supported the installation of several additional wind turbines to demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of wind energy; and completed mapping for potential wind sites.  During Phase 3, the DPS will focus on installing wind turbines throughout the state and educating the public on the benefits of wind energy.  

See the Public Service Department web site for information pertaining to the application process.

Contact:
Rob Ide
Vermont Department of Public Service
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Division
112 State Street
Drawer 20
Montpelier, VT  05620-2601
Phone: (802) 828-4009
E-Mail: robert.ide@state.vt.us  
Web site: http://www.state.vt.us/psd

Solar & Small Wind Incentive Program
Vermont’s Solar and Small Wind Incentive Program was established pursuant to Renewable Energy Legislation passed in 2003. The program, managed by the Renewable Energy Resource Center of Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, utilizes funds from the petroleum violation escrow fund to provide incentives for qualifying solar electric, solar hot water, and small wind systems. As of August 2004, all of the program’s funds have been allocated, and the Department of Public Service is no longer accepting applications. Advocacy groups such as Renewable Energy Vermont are working to re-fund the program. 

Distributed Utility Planning Work
In September 1999, the Vermont Public Service Board (PSB) opened Docket 6290, entitled "Investigation into the establishment of guidelines for distributed utility planning by Vermont electric distribution utilities." As part of this docket, the Vermont Department of Public Service (DPS) drafted distributed utility planning guidelines (DUP), under which electric utilities would implement energy efficiency and local generation solutions as part of a least-cost approach to transmission and distribution constraints. 

Over the course of the docket, the Department and Vermont's electric utilities have held collaborative sessions and negotiations concerning DUP. These activities have resulted in a "Phase I Stipulation" between the Department and a number of the state's utilities. The Department has also published a DUP primer on the web. 

Under the Phase I Stipulation, DPS and the other signatories agreed to an initial set of DUP guidelines, initial DUP work by the electric utilities, and participation in a "Phase II collaborative" to address implementation details. In March the DPS issued an RFP for consultant support to the Department's efforts in Phase II, and activity is expected to move ahead in the near term.

We are not aware of any Vermont utilities currently offering additional incentives for small wind energy systems.

The Vermont Department of Public Service together with Green Mountain Power Corporation, NRG Systems and Vermont Environmental Research Associates, Inc. (VERA) conducted a wind resource assessment for the state. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory developed a wind resource map with the data collected by this project. To view the map click here.

The US Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network has also compiled wind resource information for Vermont. You may also find the definitions of Wind Power Classes for the maps helpful.

There is additional information in the Wind Energy Atlas of the United States, where you can review maps for other locations in the US or get more information about how the maps were created.

You may also find useful information at the web site for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). This site contains extensive information about wind resources in the United States.

Printed copies of the U.S. Department of Energy's 23-page Consumer's Guide to Small Wind Electric Systems in Vermont (PDF file), which includes a color version of the updated state wind resource map, are available upon request from the Vermont Department of Public Service. Renewable Energy Vermont plans to update and expand its member directory to assist the public in selecting wind professionals.

The Vermont Department of Public Service has compiled a directory of wind energy businesses, but does not certify or qualify the listings.

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) maintains a searchable database called the Sustainable Yellow Pages where you can search for wind energy professionals.

The American Wind Energy Association provides a list of wind turbine manufacturers

For a list of wind turbine installers in your area, please contact the manufacturers.

We suggest that you contact your local utility and request information on their interconnection policies. 

The Vermont Public Service Board maintains a list of electric companies authorized to operate in Vermont.

The Vermont Public Service Board is responsible for regulations relating to the electric utility industry.

Vermont Public Service Board
112 State Street 4th Floor
Montpeler, VT 05620
Phone (802) 828-2358
Fax (802) 828-3351
James Volz, Chairman
Email jvolz@psb.state.vt.us
Web: www.state.vt.us/psb

Vermont Department of Public Service
112 State Street
Montpelier , VT 05620-2601
Phone (802) 828-4009
Fax (802) 828-2342
Robert Ide, Energy Efficiency Division Director
Email Robert.ide@state.vt.us
Erin L. Lawrence, Federal Grants Administrator
Email erin.lawrence@state.vt.us
David J. O’Brien, Commissioner
Web: http://publicservice.vermont.gov

Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
103 South Main Street, Center Building
Waterbury, VT 05671
Phone (802) 241-3600
Fax (802) 244-1102
Scott Johnstone, Secretary
Email scott.johnstone@anrmail.anr.state.vt.us
Web www.anr.state.vt.us

U.S. Department of Energy
Northeast Regional Office
JFK Federal Building, Suite 675
Boston, MA 02203
Phone (617) 565-9700
Richard Michaud
Web http://www.eere.energy.gov/regions/northeast  

The US Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network maintains a list of state contacts.

The US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network maintains a list of state contacts.

Renewable Energy Vermont is working to bring about an intelligent transformation from a foreign fossil fuel based economy to an economy increasingly based on our own renewable energy.

Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) works in Maine and Vermont to foster regulatory and market policies for the electric industry that encourage economic efficiency, protect environmental quality, assure system reliability, and allocate system benefits fairly to all customers.

Vermont Energy Investment Corporation works nationally and internationally with utilities, regulatory agencies, and energy advocacy groups to design programs that reduce energy use through energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) has information on energy deregulation and renewable energy. 

The US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network maintains a list of state contacts.

Last Updated: April 2005

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