Energy Planning & Policy
State and federal policies either help or hinder a community’s ability to meet it’s clean energy and climate goals.
Desired outcomes rarely just happen by accident. Planning is essential to carefully consider the opportunities and obstacles to meeting our climate and energy targets, while good policy is essential to achieving these goals.
At the local level, this involves the municipal and regional plans, while at the state level, this involves the statutorily required Comprehensive Energy Plan (CEP). Below, find resources about policy initiatives, and learn more about how you can be involved.
Learn how to become a more engaged and effective advocate with A Citizen’s Guide to Influencing State Policy.
Reach out to advocacy@vnrc.org to find out about getting involved in state policy.
And make sure to sign up for VNRC’s Climate Dispatch to stay tuned to updates during the legislative session.
Energy Planning & Policy Resources
Vermont Global Warming Solutions Act
The Global Warming Solutions Act (Act 153) transformed Vermont’s pollution reduction goals, which were established in 2005, into requirements. The broad-based policy framework requires Vermont to undertake a planning process to meet these targets and help Vermonters cut energy costs, reduce climate pollution and become more resilient in a warming world. Read more.
Vermont Climate Council
The passage of the Solutions Act created a 23-member Climate Council and a robust public process to develop a Climate Action Plan to meet the legally required, cost-saving greenhouse gas reduction targets. Read more.
Vermont Climate Action Plan
Every four years, Vermont is required to update and adopt a new plan that outlines cost-effective, equitable, and achievable strategies to cut energy costs, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, reduce climate pollution, and help Vermonters and Vermont communities become more resilient. Read more.
Comprehensive Energy Plan
The Comprehensive Energy Plan (CEP) sets a target of offers analysis and recommendations achieving the state’s goal of meeting 90% of Vermont’s total energy needs from renewable sources by 2050. The CEP is updated every six years and includes important opportunities for public engagement to help shape the plan. Read more.
Enhanced Energy Planning
Act 174 of 2016 established a new set of municipal and regional energy planning standards. These standards were further updated in 2022 by the Comprehensive Energy Plan. Read more.
Resilience and Adaptation
Find information about how we are working to make Vermont more resilient in the face of the changes to the climate that are already underway. Read more.
Community Energy Dashboard
The Community Energy Dashboard helps your community shape its energy future at the local level with a powerful suite of interactive tools to set goals, track progress, map actions, share stories, and hear from trusted neighbors. Read more.
Resources (cont’d)
Vermont Conservation Voters
Vermont Conservation Voters works to make environmental protection a top priority for elected officials, candidates, and voters. Read more.
Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies (VAPDA)
Find your regional planning commission at the Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies (VAPDA). Read more.
Vermont Energy Education Program
VEEP helps Vermont students, teachers, and school communities build a deep understanding of energy and climate with interactive workshops, equipment, and action programs. Check out their new remote learning resources for teachers and students. Read more.
