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Senate adopts amendment to H727 and passes sustainable data center bill
Summary
Senate adopted an amendment to H727 to allow certain thermal renewable energy plants (including wood-fired thermal) to qualify under the on‑site renewable generation provision and then passed H727 in concurrence with that amendment.
The Senate considered H727, an act relating to sustainable data center deployment, and adopted a floor amendment clarifying what kinds of on-site renewable generation may qualify. The amendment—offered and explained on the floor as allowing renewable thermal plants to qualify unless they directly emit certain air contaminants—explicitly added language to permit thermal energy plants to count for purposes of the statute.
Senator Perchlik (floor sponsor of the amendment) argued the change was intended to allow renewable thermal systems (including advanced wood heating) to be considered where appropriate. "I think wood energy is a renewable source, and specifically, I am a big supporter of wood heat and advanced wood heating in Vermont," the senator said in floor debate. (Senator Perchlik)
The Natural Resources and Energy Committee reviewed the amendment and supported it; the chamber adopted the amendment by voice vote and later passed H727 in concurrence with the amendment. The sponsor addressed questions about tax and fee treatment of electricity and clarified data-center definitions tied to NAICS code 518210 and a 20-megawatt threshold for large loads.
Outcome: H727 passed in concurrence with the adopted amendment and will proceed according to the usual interchamber steps.
