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Committee pauses on central heating plant funding; asks Vermont State Colleges to coordinate with Efficiency Vermont
Summary
Members reviewed proposed funding for Vermont State Colleges' central heating plant replacement, kept planning and design figures but asked for clearer language tying Efficiency Vermont involvement to cost‑saving goals.
The committee discussed appropriations for Vermont State Colleges' central heating plant replacement and asked for clearer drafting to reflect the project's planning, design and construction phases.
The draft lists $1.5 million in FY 2026 for planning and design and $3.5 million in FY 2027 for construction toward a central heating plant replacement. Committee members asked counsel to confirm whether the FY 2026 $1.5 million was intended for planning and design only and whether the FY 2027 figure was intended to fund construction. Members asked that the bill's language explicitly state that Vermont State Colleges should work with Efficiency Vermont during planning and design to evaluate alternatives that could reduce long‑term operating and fuel costs.
Why it matters: the plant replacement is a multi‑year project with potential energy‑cost implications for the college and the state. Members said that early engagement with Efficiency Vermont during planning may influence system choices and reduce overall costs.
Next steps: counsel will check with college staff (Sharon Scott was mentioned) to confirm whether the FY 2026 appropriation is planning/design only and to ensure bill language is clear about Efficiency Vermont's role in planning. The committee did not change the figures in this meeting.
Ending: No vote; staff were asked to confirm intended uses of the two line‑item figures and to update bill language to make the Efficiency Vermont collaboration explicit if that was the committee's intent.
