Vermont issues updated energy plan

Vermont energy regulators have completed an update of key energy and electricity plans for that state. The Vermont Department of Public Service has updated the Vermont Comprehensive Energy Plan (CEP) and Electric Plan, two plans required by law to be complete and adopted by January 1, 2016, and updated every six years thereafter. 

The updated Comprehensive Energy Plan reaffirms Vermont's overall goal of achieving 90 percent of its total energy needs from renewable sources by 2050, adds interim goals (including reaffirming the statutory goal of 25% by 2025), and provides greater detail on Vermont’s pathways towards achieving these goals.  In particular, the plan includes the following new and more detailed goals:

• Reduce total energy consumption per capita by 15% by 2025, and by more than one third by 2050.
• Meet 25% of the remaining energy need from renewable sources by 2025, 40% by 2 035, and 90% by 2050.
• Three end-use sector goals for 2025: 10% renewable transportation, 30% renewable buildings, and 67% renewable electric power.
• Greenhouse gas reduction goals include: 40% reduction below 1990 levels by 2030, and 80% to 95% reduction below 1990 levels by 2050.

Conversion of heat and transportation applications to "highly efficient electric technologies, such as heat pumps and electric vehicles," is one strategy highlighted in the plan.  The plan also includes a 20-year electric plan, based on the principles of least-cost planning, that serves as a basis for Vermont electricity policy.