Comment on the draft Comprehensive Energy Plan today.
Vermont is updating its long-range Comprehensive Energy Plan, which sets a goal of meeting 90 percent of Vermont’s total energy needs – for heating, transportation and electricity – with renewable supplies by 2050. Recently the Public Service Department released the draft, which you can find here.
This is an important opportunity to lend your voice to support the efficiency, energy generation and transportation solutions the CEP proposes to meet Vermont’s energy goals. It is also a critical opportunity to call for the state to embrace a carbon pollution tax to meet our energy needs and do our part to combat climate change.
1. Click here to access the Public Service Department’s webform.
2. Enter your contact information.
3. You will have the option to submit comments on specific chapters and other energy issues, but this is optional.
4. When ready skip ahead to the last page to this question:
“Please offer any general comments that would not otherwise pertain to a specific chapter in the draft CEP” and submit a comment in support of a carbon pollution tax.
5. When finished, click done.
Some sample comments you could include on the Draft Comprehensive Energy Plan:
• The CEP should specifically prioritize a carbon pollution tax as a key policy lever to ensure Vermont achieves its clean energy goals.
• Such a policy is the single most powerful strategy the state could enact to reduce Vermonters’ energy use, raise funds to help people invest in clean energy solutions and save people money now and in the long run.
• The CEP should strongly recommend pricing carbon pollution to simultaneously achieve the state’s short and long-term energy, environmental and economic goals.
• A fair, forward looking carbon pollution tax could help the state grow our economy, mitigate negative impacts to low-income earners and take an essential, serious step forward in terms of our collective responsibility to act on climate change.
The DPS is also taking comments at 5 upcoming public hearings. Dates and locations for the hearings include:
• October 7 – Lyndonville (Lyndon State College, Moore Community Room)
• October 13 – Essex (Essex High School, Cafeteria)
• October 21 – Montpelier (Noble Hall, Vermont College of Fine Arts)
• October 26 – Bellows Falls (Bellows Falls Union High School, Auditorium)
• October 29 – Rutland (Rutland Regional Hospital, Community Health Education Center)
The hearings will run from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Light refreshments will be provided.
**If you’re planning to attend a hearing in person – let us know by emailing info@energyindependentvt.org and we can provide you with additional materials, information and support.**