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House overrides veto of renewable energy standard update
Summary
The House overrode the governor's veto of H.289, which updates Vermont's Renewable Energy Standard to add utility‑specific flexibility and distributed generation goals; the override passed 102‑43 in a 145‑member roll call.
The House voted to override Governor Scott's veto of House Bill 289, which updates Vermont's Renewable Energy Standard (RES) to tailor requirements for different utilities, increase distributed renewable generation and add reporting requirements.
Supporters said H.289 was developed through an Act 33 legislative working group with a broad set of stakeholders and provides flexibility for diverse utilities while strengthening resilience and distributed resources. A member noted the bill maintains renewable definitions and requires new load growth to be met with renewables and storage.
Opponents and some speakers raised concerns about potential rate increases and cited analyses from the Department of Public Service and the Joint Fiscal Office projecting substantial costs to ratepayers over time. One member called out an Americans for Prosperity email urging members to uphold the governor's veto and framed that outreach as outside influence.
After roll call, the clerk reported 145 members present, those voting yes 102 and no 43; the presiding officer announced the governor's veto had been overridden for H.289. The House suspended rules and will message the action to the Senate before recessing for lunch.
Next steps: the House will message its override to the Senate; the Department of Public Service and JFO will continue to analyze cost and implementation details.
