[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6343627,"mediaKeyId","2251911-7bbde900539bef9714e61ec476bd6bc7","parentId",2251911,"title","Bill would require annual state tracking of economic impacts from Vermont’s energy transition","audioSeconds",245,"startMs",680000,"endMs",925000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2251911-7bbde900539bef9714e61ec476bd6bc7&start=680&end=925","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2251911-7bbde900539bef9714e61ec476bd6bc7/thumbnail_680000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6343627/Vermont/Bill-would-require-annual-state-tracking-of-economic-impacts-from-Vermonts-energy-transition","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343627-b5a817eef0b6b387b75883567a24d27b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776549020&Signature=Zo4~GgRE6IBJT2v5dvdEk~OVNlbxWunbkZUnekwh0dN5WyA~vYwfaA~-Ssz-FdjIgeS~wZoi13Bwxhye2XIENyu4q7Zn0wUgg60C~qBEykFnfo5VhuiN-~UEHFUOrUc8H7c6RrZALoy2NfvZCKcVy7u9tgmN~l7QG5aPTM1jm70vq8Y065ARm0YEKC8phmOeWiOrgZFSh8lWZwJ36YFVguGXOsLviP4-2514SQkB60uONsuhEeIMS8rzWmCaqnYdnMOxEITs0Gq377f0qSYTdjhi2om7LxPdXaA0dG4SCLBIlsBwuIF8aQ6Y0IVMUWzhOSxsOJwNnb4BGr2V-oKRIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Vermont House Energy and Digital Infrastructure","date","2025-02-04T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Laura Sebelia introduced H.145, \"An Act Relating to Reporting on the Energy Transition Economic Impacts,\" on Feb. 4, 2025, asking the Department of Public Service to publish an annual report that tracks economic and infrastructure indicators related to Vermont’s energy transition.

Sebelia said the bill aims to provide the state with data that answer questions constituents are asking: \"How will this energy transition affect me? Will my community have the necessary infrastructure? What happens to workers in industries like delivered heating fuels?\" She listed preliminary metrics the bill would track, including numbers of gas stations, numbers of heating-fuel suppliers, counts of electric-vehicle charging stations and changes in electric rates across the state.

In committee discussion, Sebelia said some of the information is already gathered but that tracking the delivered-fuels market more broadly would require additional monitoring because that sector is largely unregulated and is experiencing industry consolidation. She said she has discussed aspects of the topic with the Department of Public Service, the Public Utility Commission and the Agency of Natural Resources but had not yet received formal positions from the administration on the draft language.

Representative James asked whether the sponsor had obtained preliminary feedback from the Department of Public Service about taking on the reporting work; Sebelia replied she had \"not gotten any preliminary thoughts on this specific language\" but noted she has consulted officials and stakeholders over multiple years on energy issues. The sponsor characterized the bill’s goal as ensuring \"no one should be left behind\" during the energy transition by improving the state’s information base for policy decisions.

H.145 was introduced during the committee’s ten-minute bill-introduction period; the committee did not take testimony or vote on the bill during this session. Committee members said they expect further hearings and a chance to refine the metrics and scope before any formal vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Energy and Digital Infrastructure 2025-02-04 1:00pm","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Laura Sebelia introduced H.145, \"An Act Relating to Reporting on the Energy Transition Economic Impacts,\" on Feb. 4, 2025, asking the Department of Public Service to publish an annual report that tracks economic and infrastructure indicators related to Vermont’s energy transition.","taxTitle","Environment & Energy, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative , Vermont","taxId",30749,"location","Vermont","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6343633,"Rep. Sebelia introduces bill to expand consumer protections for broadband and VoIP services",629,219000,848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2251911-7bbde900539bef9714e61ec476bd6bc7&start=219&end=848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2251911-7bbde900539bef9714e61ec476bd6bc7/thumbnail_219000.jpg","/articles/6343633/Vermont/Rep-Sebelia-introduces-bill-to-expand-consumer-protections-for-broadband-and-VoIP-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343633-866ed921150a6bcf4926caf4eeca6e85/orig.mp4?Expires=1776549020&Signature=fzoL4WK6ebDYDbFpFdG1RQ6PNhxRFhwmcQN8QRj4qZzI~j7IiN7L19BBRmCYyq7N4CF0FSqIO8N1CnK-CtpWPB5neeB6ibV1Z-pirPakU3EhLRlYQVV4oSyMf-Xc1ZtcrmvJscChC7G9dEww2OESGs4qB6~pbVQhnFdIRI8TdzJlocgYdhVwr~H8YFiVAps8N5PSG8qL5ognHkr8RMUdGoRHgT-kD0owT1mpl3ZW~j8ENrVXO9iwQss1gf~Ik4y9eww3IyjNreMVsE7JCEsuvkWZpel0devdLl0cW71WP36O26JNoJ3VyFnVwof1nvOz~PGFgZm52smTtQA2e7QfKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Laura Sebelia introduced H.11, the \"Vermont Broadband Consumer Protection and Competition Act,\" to the House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee on Feb. 4, 2025, proposing expanded consumer protections for broadband and VoIP services across Vermont.

Sebelia told the committee the bill would strengthen oversight and accountability for providers, saying the measure would \"ensure broadband and VoIP providers operate fairly and transparently\" and would expand net-neutrality compliance beyond government contracts. She recounted a constituent story to illustrate the stakes: \"She was told [service] would be out for more than a week, and she had no way to contact emergency services,\" she said.

The bill would require a certificate of net-neutrality compliance for all providers operating in Vermont; ban misleading marketing, hidden fees, unfair data caps and termination penalties; require reimbursement when providers fail to deliver contracted service; and add emergency protections to prevent disconnections or excessive fees during declared emergencies. It would also give the attorney general authority to investigate alleged unfair practices and impose penalties for false reporting, and it would direct the Department of Public Service to monitor VoIP reliability in rural areas.

During the committee’s limited introduction period, Sebelia said she had \"initial conversations\" with the attorney general’s office and the Department of Public Service but had not yet received information about whether the administration supports the proposal. Committee members asked general questions about overlap with existing consumer assistance programs. Sebelia responded that gaps remain in current assistance and that market-monitoring and enhanced oversight are central goals of the bill.

H.11 was introduced as a ten-minute pitch; the committee did not take testimony or vote on the bill during this session. Committee members indicated they will schedule more detailed hearings and follow-up conversations with affected agencies and providers before any formal action.","Representative Laura Sebelia introduced H.11, the Vermont Broadband Consumer Protection and Competition Act, proposing net-neutrality compliance requirements, bans on misleading marketing and hidden fees, emergency disconnection protections, and new enforcement authority for the attorney general and Department of Public Service.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6343623,"Rep. Morrow proposes low-cost broadband option modeled on New York program",302,1196000,1498000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2251911-7bbde900539bef9714e61ec476bd6bc7&start=1196&end=1498","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2251911-7bbde900539bef9714e61ec476bd6bc7/thumbnail_1196000.jpg","/articles/6343623/Vermont/Rep-Morrow-proposes-low-cost-broadband-option-modeled-on-New-York-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343623-4dfbd0444163828f6ccb348598d28f01/orig.mp4?Expires=1776549020&Signature=krY6LC~5nMBUdtzfYdYHyKbgivxnqKYdkPivG~DA6frysdnNeRrdVFa4dayALEGy6Vk9zSYD6~i5mwTo~8Val~wOGJ8~NgdIpVzpvMq5nrIs2WfA5aGwPibBE8aRocAv6F4L5RQkGvrAeqTJc8toNgjpOaeEVUwhFjbp~mMtoYRf1OLpDdf8qJoQyVZP70uGrlRENZbKYrD4RoKjShqHyi4HvR8mYY~d9T3j8p8wkrlnRV-A8ikZCEV0q2KVOJjEcXp6ZNlUI~-fAucGUyYP-Ve14Sx0gUi1nEQH4~W1w9Sp6T71eJ7TE3BGCp~HaG6uL-1l2SGw4z8bfUrugl4CTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Chris Morrow introduced a proposal on Feb. 4, 2025, to create an affordable broadband option for low-income Vermonters modeled on a New York program that has faced litigation but remains in effect. The bill would require participating providers meeting a size threshold to offer a low-cost service tier priced at $15 per month for a minimum speed (written in the draft as 25 megabits per second).

Morrow said the bill is intended to be \"as low friction as possible\" and suggested eligibility would be determined by participation in the federal lifeline program or the home heating fuel assistance program. He described the bill as a response to the expiration of temporary federal programs, noting Vermont’s temporary $40-a-month COVID lifeline and the federal Affordable Connectivity Program, which provided a $30 monthly discount plus a device subsidy that ended in mid‑2024.

Committee members asked practical questions about the structure and effects of the proposal. Members noted the bill currently includes a provider-size threshold of 20,000 customers, which would exclude many smaller providers and some communication-union districts. Committee members also raised concerns about who would bear the cost difference if the discounted rate is lower than market rates: Morrow said there would be a cost shift of some kind and compared the concept to GMP’s Energy Assistance Program, which is funded by a monthly charge and provides discounts to qualifying customers.

Committee members asked whether the Public Utility Commission would oversee and enforce the program; Morrow said the PUC was a logical oversight candidate but that he wanted to consult the commission. The bill’s draft also included enforcement penalties (the sponsor referenced a $1,000-per-violation figure in discussion) and the sponsor said he expects conversations with providers and regulators.

Morrow cited that the New York model was challenged in court; he said the Second Circuit upheld the New York program and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review it, allowing the Second Circuit decision to stand, though he advised the committee to confirm legal details with counsel. The committee did not take testimony or vote on the bill during the ten-minute introduction period; follow-up hearings were anticipated.","Representative Chris Morrow introduced a bill to require participating providers to offer a low-cost broadband tier (proposed at $15 a month, 25 Mbps) for low-income Vermonters, with eligibility linked to federal lifeline or home heating fuel assistance programs; committee members raised questions about scope, cost shifts and enforcement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill would require annual state tracking of economic impacts from Vermont’s energy transition

Rep. Sebelia introduces bill to expand consumer protections for broadband and VoIP services

Rep. Morrow proposes low-cost broadband option modeled on New York program