The Vermont General Assembly recently adopted legislation mandating all utilities generate energy using renewables by 2035.
Earlier this week, the Vermont General Assembly overrode the Governor’s veto of H. 289, legislation mandating that state utilities generate energy exclusively from renewable sources by 2035. The legislation not only requires 100% renewable energy generation but also increases the mandated proportion of that energy sourced from Vermont and the New England region. This shift towards renewables comes amid a flurry of activity among New England policymakers, with both Maine and New Hampshire recently making headlines for achieving climate goals and adopting new environmental policies.
The Legislature’s Joint Fiscal Office issued six fiscal notes for the bill during the session. Ultimately, JFO estimates the bill would cost Vermonters between $150 million and $450 million by 2035, which the office predicts is the equivalent of adding between $4.50 and $13.50 to the average Vermont household’s monthly electric bill by the same year. The body has also stressed that a lot of uncertainty remains when it comes to estimating the cost of the bill.
directs a whole-of-government approach to address climate change, including requiring agencies to submit a Climate Implementation Plan by Nov. 1, action to propose new emissions standards, and the creation of the Governor’s Subcabinet on Climate. . . .The order also calls for the Maryland Energy Administration to establish a framework for a clean energy standard to achieve 100% clean energy by 2035 and directs the Maryland Department of Transportation to undertake several measures to promote clean transportation. . . .
For Comparison – Vermont vs. Maryland
- Population:
- Vermont – 647,064 residents
- Maryland – 6.165 million residents
- Anne Arundel County – 593,286 residents
- Size:
- Vermont – 9,616 mi²
- Maryland – 12,407 mi²
- Major Electricity Sources:
