Committee reviews Renewable Energy for Communities proposal and linked Clean Energy Standard

Vermont’s House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday, April 9 heard Department of Public Service staff describe H.289’s proposed Renewable Energy for Communities program and a linked Clean Energy Standard intended to limit rate impacts and help fund the new program.

The bill would direct the Public Utility Commission to establish a Renewable Energy for Communities (RE4C) program by rule or order, require retail electricity providers to solicit projects under that program and align eligibility with the renewable resources defined in Tier 2 of the state’s Renewable Energy Standard. Department staff said projects solicited under RE4C would generally be limited to resources smaller than 5 megawatts.

The measure’s backers told the committee they designed RE4C to prioritize community participation, reduce barriers for neighborhoods and households that have lacked access to renewable energy, and to encourage siting and ownership models that deliver benefits locally. "This proposal has been on the table for a long time," said Claire McLeveny, Data and Equity Policy Manager at the Department of Public Service, describing the program as grounded in an 18‑month public engagement process and…