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Developer tells committee ‘single‑plant’ rule adds cost and complicates siting for Vermont solar
Summary
A Vermont solar developer testified that the state’s 'single‑plant' rule creates permitting uncertainty, adds unnecessary construction costs (an example cited ~$100,000 for an extra road and line), and encourages scattered siting rather than co‑locating projects in preferred areas.
A solar developer told the House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday, April 9 that Vermont’s long‑standing “single‑plant” rule raises project costs, complicates permitting and leads to undesirable siting outcomes.
"Single plant ... creates quite a bit of uncertainty," the developer testified, describing three principal concerns: uncertainty that raises project costs, direct additional construction expenses and unintended land‑use consequences that can spread arrays rather than concentrating them on preferred sites.
The witness said the rule can force developers to build redundant access roads and electrical lines. As an example, he described a Bennington parcel that already hosted a net‑metered…
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