Solar & Battery Regulation & Incentive Programs

Energy Reduction Goals

Program Overview


Category:
Regulatory Policy
Program Type:
Energy Efficiency Resource Standard
Implementing Sector:
State
State:
Vermont
Eligible Storage Technologies:
Custom/Others pending approval
Website:
http://www.efficiencyvermont.org/pages/Common/AboutUs
Electric Sales Reduction:
321,800 MWh (annual incremental goal for 2015, 2016, 2017)
Electric Peak Demand Reduction:
Summer peak kW savings: 60,800 (three-year goal for 2015, 2016, 2017)
Winter peak kW savings: 41,300 (three-year goal for 2015, 2016, 2017)
Natural Gas Sales Reduction:
None
Rate Impact Parameters:
None
Applicable Sectors:
Investor-Owned Utility, Local Government
Last Updated:
03/10/2015

Summary

Origin

In June 1999, Vermont enacted legislation authorizing the Vermont Public Service Board (PSB) to establish a volumetric charge on all electric customers’ bills to support energy efficiency programs and goals. The subsequent year the PSB established Efficiency Vermont, a statewide “energy efficiency utility,” and a funding mechanism to support it. Efficiency Vermont is currently administered by Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC), an independent, non-profit corporation.

Electric Sales Reduction

Efficiency Vermont periodically establishes certain goals that constitute an energy efficiency resource goal for the state. The current, three-year plan includes the following state-wide goals during the three-year period covering 2015, 2016, and 2017.

  • Annual Incremental Net Savings: 321,800
  • Summer peak kW savings: 41,300
  • Winter peak kW savings: 53,700

There is not an explicit penalty for non-performance. However, a portion of the compensation Vermont pays VEIC is contingent on meeting stated goals, subject to a monitoring and verification process. If VEIC does not meet stated goals, the state will withhold compensation, and VEIC potentially will be replaced. In December 2010, the Efficiency Vermont contract structure was replaced with a franchise-like "Order of Appointment" structure with a duration of 12 years. For more information, see the PSB's web site.

For more information about Vermont's efficiency goals, programs and results, see the Efficiency Vermont’s annual reports.

Program Administrator Type

The programs intended to meet Efficiency Vermont's goals are administered by the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC). However, the City of Burlington Electric Department (BED) serves as the energy efficiency utility for its service territory, under separate authorization from the PSB. The programs offered to customers are aligned, but the goals are different. See Burlington Electric Department for more information.

Cost Effectiveness and Program Evaluation

Vermont uses the Societal Cost Test (SCT), one of the five "California tests" from the California Standard Practice Manual, as the primary test for evaluating its energy efficiency programs. 



Authorities

NameEnacted DateEffective DateExpired Date
30 V.S.A. § 209
Efficiency Vermont 2015-2017 Triennial Plan