House committee continues markup of H.125, debates scope, data sources and agency lead for energy-transition report

The Vermont House Committee on Energy and Digital Infrastructure on Feb. 26 continued drafting H.125, an act requiring annual reporting on the state's clean energy transition. Committee members discussed which agency should lead the work, the report's deadline, the first report's historical scope, and which data must be mapped and tracked.

Committee chair Representative Kathleen James opened the meeting saying, "we are here to continue our discussion of H 125, an act relating to reporting on the energy transition," and asked legislative counsel to present a new draft. The committee examined a draft prepared by Legislative Counsel Ellen Zajkowski and suggested language submitted that morning by Secretary Stephen Moore.

The committee and counsel debated several structural issues. Ellen Zajkowski said the committee's draft was a strike-all amendment and explained how that differs from instance-by-instance changes. The draft proposed adding a new section to the renewable energy chapter to require the Department of Public…