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House advances 'Vermont Energy Equity Law' to strengthen protections against utility disconnections
Summary
The House approved committee amendments and ordered third reading of H753, the 'Vermont Energy Equity Law,' which would require new legislative reporting, direct PUC rulemaking by Jan. 1, 2028, and add protections against electric disconnections during extreme heat and expanded medical exemptions. The committee reported the bill out by a 9–0 vote.
The House on Thursday advanced H753, titled the "Vermont Energy Equity Law," sending the measure forward after the committee reported it with recommended amendments.
Representative Tory (member from Moretown) spoke for the Committee on Energy & Digital Infrastructure and described the bill as updating rules that govern when residential electric and gas service may be disconnected for nonpayment. Tory said the bill would "require the initiation of a rulemaking by the PUC on rule 3300 by January 1, 2028" and would direct inclusion of protections that prevent electric utility disconnections during periods of extreme heat (with potential lower temperature thresholds for households with people aged 62 and older).
The bill also requires annual legislative reporting on disconnection trends using monthly utility reports and consumer assistance records, and it expands which health professionals may issue physician certificates that temporarily prevent disconnection. Representative Tory summarized testimony from utilities of all sizes, consumer advocates and environmental and disability-rights groups, and told members the committee reported the bill out by a vote reported in the journal as 9–0.
The House voted to amend H753 as recommended by the committee and ordered third reading. The transcript does not include a floor roll call tally for the final passage on the floor at this time.
Next steps: The PUC will be directed to initiate a rulemaking process by Jan. 1, 2028 under the bill's directive; effective date in the bill text is July 1, 2026.
