Burlington Electric details 2030 net‑zero roadmap, defends McNeil wood‑chip plant and seeks funds for EV chargers

Darren Springer, general manager of the Burlington Electric Department, told the House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee that Burlington aims to meet an ambitious 2030 net‑zero energy goal and is seeking additional funding and pilot projects to expand charging, storage and electrification programs.

Springer said Burlington Electric, “We are the third largest electric utility in the state,” and described a generation mix that includes roughly one‑third wood chips (from Burlington’s half share of the McNeil wood‑chip plant), more than one‑third hydro, solar and three wind contracts in the region, plus a rarely used gas peaker that produced 472 megawatt‑hours in the most recent reporting year. He added that Burlington “was the first city in the country to be 100% renewable in 2014.”

The Burlington presentation summarized recent progress and near‑term plans: city greenhouse gas emissions are down about 18.2% between 2018 and 2023 in the building and ground‑transportation sectors; the utility has helped put more than 2,900 heat pumps in city homes; income‑qualified customers receive a 12.5% bill discount under a PUC‑authorized program; and the utility now auto‑enrolls eligible customers to expand participation. Springer said the utility has pursued electrification incentives through its Tier‑3 Renewable…