Dive Brief:

• Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin wants to expand the state's cap on net metering to 15% of a utilities peak load, up from 4%. Most Vermont utilities have hit their 4% cap, blocking new distributed generation in their footprints.
• The proposal, developed after consulting with utilities and other groups, would spur more solar development before a 30% federal tax credit for solar expires at the end of 2016.
• Vermont has 39 MW of net metered projects, up from 12 MW in 2011.

Dive Insight:

The proposal appears to expand net metering have broad support. “I believe the framework we have here … has support from the renewable energy industry, the utilities and environmental advocates,” said Darren Springer, Public Service Department deputy commissioner.

Vermont is a small state but has been a leader on net metering and renewable energy policies. It looks like the Green Mountain state aims to keep pushing the boundaries on those issues.