Finding Consensus on Renewable Energy Siting in Vermont

July 30th, 2016

The state of Vermont is committed to a goal of running on 90% renewable energy by 2050. But while there is near consensus that Vermont needs to transition to renewables, contention emerges on the subject of where to site renewable energy projects.

In December 2015, the town of Barre asked the Vermont Public Service Board, a quasi-judicial board which hears cases on renewable energy siting, for more influence in the process of siting solar arrays. Lawmakers have also proposed legislation to ban any wind projects greater than 500 kilowatts, like wind farms in Sheffield, Vermont.

Citizens are expressing frustration, claiming their interests have been ignored, while public officials are attempting to advance Vermont’s ambitious renewable energy portfolio goals. Vermonters speaking out on the issue of siting are sending a common message to the three-member Public Service Board: the state is not listening to citizens’ concerns.

In 2015, Vermont received 1,461 applications for solar facilities in Vermont, and Governor Shumlin expects this number to double next year. If Vermont continues to pursue its renewable energy goals with little citizen buy-in, resentment for wind and solar projects will likely increase.

Fortunately, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy has unanimously approved the Energy Development Improvement Act, which would remedy this unnecessary conflict.

Under the new law, officials are incentivized to site renewables on brownfields and parking lots instead of pristine properties. And crucially, the law requires the Public Service Board to employ a Public Assistance Officer to answer communities’ questions about the siting process.

Though this legislation does not address every concern of localities, the Energy Development Improvement Act provides common-sense solutions, laying a foundation for consensus in Vermont.