Dive Brief:
- Vermont's Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy last week approved 5-0 a measure that would overhaul renewable energy siting in the state, giving more influence to municipalities arguing before the state's Public Service Board (PSB).
- The bill also requires decommissioning bonds for higher-capacity net metering projects and offers financial incentives for projects to not impact property values or disturb farmland.
- Vermont Watchdog points out that an amendment on wind turbine siting was not included in the bill, but that amendments could be added in the full Senate. An amendment to address noise and distant limits on the turbines was rejected.
Dive Insight:
While the ultimate decision on energy siting decision would still remain with Vermont's PSB, legislation being considered in the state's senate would give cities and towns more influence in front of the quasi-judicial board.
“I think it’s a very meaningful piece of legislation,” state Sen. Diane Snelling, R-Chittenden told Vermont Watchdog. Snelling, who is vice chair of the committee, said the five-member body took the "recommendations of the siting commission, and we’ve given municipalities a very clear path to express their preferred locations and to work within the guidelines to improve the process."
The legislation, S. 230, was born out of almost 100 Vermont towns signing onto the "Rutland Resolution," a petition calling for increased input that was started two years ago.
Among other things, the bill would establish a position at the Public Service Board to provide information and assistance to the public about siting cases, and would restrict a company subject to the PSB’s jurisdiction from using eminent domain if it executed nondisclosure agreements with landowners in connection with the project.
The legislation also sets out preferred locations for renewable energy siting, including: new or existing structures, such as a commercial building or parking lot; previously developed tracts; landfills; quarries; brownfields; and specific locations designated by a municipal plan.
