Since the first Arab oil embargo in 1973, each succeeding decade has put more and more focus on how we use and generate energy. Political, environmental and economic factors all play a part as we try to figure out how our energy demands will be met and how much it will cost. During the 2010 session the legislature required by law that a plan be developed for Vermont’s energy future, taking us firmly into the 21st century with less reliance on fossil fuels. Since January representatives from state agencies, environmental groups, utilities, agriculture, and private industry have been meeting to map out a strategic plan for the next 20 years that will get us there. Their draft report consisting of two volumes has been released by the Department of Public Service entitled Comprehensive Energy Plan 2011 and is available for public comment until October 10th.
In the first volume of the CEP, the current status of Vermont’s energy consumption as well as future goals and strategies to achieve them are described. The second volume describes in great detail the supporting analysis and the recommendations for implementing the plan.
Our energy demands consist of electricity, heat, transportation and land use. In satisfying these demands Vermont has already made strides in energy efficiency improvements (2% per year since 2008), and increased use of renewable energy sources including solar, biomass, wind and hydro for both heat and electricity generation. Two-thirds of Vermont’s energy usage is for heating and transportation, depending almost entirely on fossil fuels. Approximately 50% of our electric supply and about 25% of Vermont’s total energy usage presently is from renewable sources. Greenhouse gas emissions in Vermont have been reduced by 3% per year since 2004, but we are still well behind in reaching the current goal of 25% below 1990 levels by 2028.
The CEP sets a goal of achieving 90% of our energy needs from renewable sources by 2050 which will provide these four key benefits: 1) foster economic security and independence by creating jobs, enhancing local economic activity and reducing total costs for Vermonters, 2) safeguard our environment through efficiency and conservation thereby providing an example to the nation and enhancing our Vermont brand, 3) drive in-state innovation and jobs creation through research and development and energy infrastructure development, and 4) increase community involvement and investment by supporting productive energy uses of our working landscapes including our farms, forests and fields.
This strategy for reaching this lofty goal of virtually eliminating Vermont’s reliance on oil by mid-century includes “moving toward enhanced efficiency measures, greater use of clean, renewable sources for electricity, heating, and transportation, and electric vehicle adoption, while increasing our use of natural gas and biofuel blends where nonrenewable fuels remain necessary.” The implementation will take careful planning over an extended period “to ensure overall energy costs for our businesses and residents remain regionally competitive.” Key elements of implementation will be greater use of both in-state and external hydropower, wind energy where feasible, sustainable biomass from farms and forests, solar generation, and geothermal systems. The CEP also recognizes that the least expensive energy is energy that isn’t used; so conservation by thermal and electric efficiency improvements has to be increased at a faster rate than is currently being done. Transportation concepts will also have to be transformed by greater use of Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs) and hybrids as well as mass transportation and blended fuels.
As Public Service Commissioner Elizabeth Miller states in the preface to the CEP, “we view this plan as the beginning of the conversation — not the end... [recognizing] that a successful plan must remain current and responsive to change. As progress is measured, we will revisit the goals set forth in this plan and adapt strategies to achieve our vision based upon experience."
This brief overview cannot do justice to the vision, thought and analysis contained in the CEP. I hope it will stimulate you to take the time to read it yourself. You can find it at www.vtenergyplan.vermont.gov along with a schedule of public forums for presentation and discussion of the plan.
The Vermont Comprehensive Energy Plan
Cleaning up after Irene
The costs of cleaning up Vermont after hurricane Irene are still being tallied, but we know they will be HUGE! The road repairs alone are estimated at $700M. And we won't know how much disaster relief we will get from the federal government because of the political environment in Washington -- this despite the fact that besides the dozen states affected by Irene, several more, including Texas, have had major damage due to wildfires.
The Vermont legislature will have a lot of work to do in January to make Vermont whole again. However, that work has already started. The House Appropriations Committee, as well as several other committees, is already working with the administration to map out a strategy. Vermonters all over the state have already pitched in financially and with countless volunteer hours to help neighbors and strangers alike. VtDigger.com has a fantastic, lengthy review of the work accomplished in the month since Irene hit Vermont. http://vtdigger.org/2011/09/29/irene-3/. We WILL get the job done!
Comments Wanted on Vermont Comprehensive Energy Plan
The Vermont Department of Public Service released the draft Comprehensive Energy Plan (CEP) for the state and is now looking for input on it from Vermonters like you.
This plan, if done right, can provide critical guidance on how the state should pursue an efficient, clean and sustainable energy future. It’s a very broad plan: it touches not only on electricity but also on the energy we use to get around in our cars and trucks and how we heat our homes and businesses. It examines subjects as diverse as the economy and jobs, public transit, land use patterns, natural gas, geothermal energy, wind power, hydropower, and the use of our forests for biomass energy. The final plan is expected to be released in November.
You can read the plan by downloading it from http://www.vtenergyplan.vermont.gov/.
To comment on the plan you can file written comments by 5 p.m., Monday, October 10, 2011, or attend and speak at one of five public hearings scheduled around Vermont in the coming weeks.
To offer written comments, there are three choices:
- Type your comments directly into a form at http://www.vtenergyplan.vermont.gov/
- Mail a letter to: 2011 Comprehensive Energy Plan Comment, c/o Edward Delhagen, Energy Program Specialist, Department of Public Service, 112 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05620-2601
- Email comments to: energyplan2011comments@state.vt.us
The public hearings, which run from 7-9 p.m., nearest Charlotte are
- September 27th – Middlebury High School (73 Charles Avenue)
- October 3rd – Colchester High School (131 Laker Lane)
Other hearings around the state are posted on the website.
ANR Advice on Failed Septic Systems and Safe Drinking Water
Although Charlotte and Hinesburg have not been seriously impacted by flooding as a result of hurricane Irene, you may know someone who has been. The information also applies to any failure of onsite septic systems.
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources has issued advice and guidance to homeowners who have experienced failures of their septic systems that you can pass along. It is imperative in such cases to protect drinking water supplies. The ANR press release can be found at http://www.mikeyantachka.com/p/anr-offers-advice-for-homeowners-with.html.
The press release also provides links for more information about drinking water safety and health concerns after a flood, http://healthvermont.gov/enviro/water/flood.aspx, and flood clean up and mitigation, http://www.anr.state.vt.us/site/html/flood.htm .
Vermont Fights Back from Irene
Ten days after hurricane Irene smashed into Vermont, our state is in the process of trying to rebuild. While the Champlain Valley and northern Vermont was relatively unscathed, central and southern Vermont, the
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| A makeshift walking bridge allows access to Route 100. - Photo by Lars Gange |
heart of the Green Mountains, saw enormous amounts of destruction that will take months, and perhaps years to recover from. Heavy rains that fell in just a few hours were funneled down mountains swelling streams and rivers until they became raging torrents overflowing banks and cutting new channels through roads, bridges, towns, farms, businesses, homes and peoples' lives. Arial photos of the damage caused by hurricane Irene that were taken by Lars Gange & Mansfield Heliflight can be found at http://www.mansfieldheliflight.com/flood/.
As the flood waters receded from Brattleboro, Wilmington, Brandon, Waterbury, Richmond and so many other towns, neighbors and strangers alike immediately pitched in to start the cleanup and recovery. National Guard troops from Vermont, New Hampshire and Illinois moved in with supplies by truck where possible and by helicopter where towns were cut off from land-access in every direction. As of today more states from as far away as Ohio and South Carolina are sending in heavy equipment to help rebuild the hundreds of miles of destroyed roads before construction season ends in December. President Barack Obama issued a federal disaster declaration for Chittenden, Rutland, Windsor, Washington and Windham counties so far, and assessors continue to work in Addison, Bennington and Orange counties. FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, after leaving Vermont one week before Irene struck, is back to assess and assist both businesses and homeowners who have been affected.
Thousands of volunteers have turned out to help in affected areas and thousands more have contributed to flood relief organizations like the Red Cross and the United Way. Vermont's rock band Phish is returning for a benefit concert to help flood victims. Workers from the Vermont Agency of Transportation as well as municipalities are working overtime to restore roads, bridges and water systems.
Vermont is still Open for Business
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| Charlotte Village Winery, Greenbush Rd, Charlotte, VT |
There is no question that Vermont's tourism industry will be affected by this event for some time to come. However, it is important to get the word out that Vermont is still open for business, especially in the northern and western sections. I-91 and
I-89 provide access from the east, and Route 7 and the Lake Champlain ferries provide access from the west. Lake Champlain is still a recreational resource unsurpassed in grandeur and beauty. From Basin Harbor to Burlington and Grand Isle, folks can still come for boating, fishing, camping, and biking. Excellent restaurants and inns abound with wonderful settings for weddings as well as other celebrations. The Inn at Charlotte is within a mile of Mt. Philo, Vermont's first state park, that offers panoramic views of the lake and the valley. For those who appreciate the "finer things in life" there is no dearth of vineyards and micro-breweries, like the Charlotte Village Winery, Shelburne Vineyard and Magic Hat. Jay Peak in the north as well as the village of Stowe offer more recreational opportunities. Fall foliage season is merely a month away and should be as beautiful as ever. And when winter comes and the snow blows, Vermont will still provide the best skiing in the east.
Happy Labor Day!
Celebrating Labor Day this year carries mixed emotions as we see the continuing effects of hurricane Irene in central and southern Vermont. Amidst the emotional and physical turmoil, though, we can see the truly important values being played out in the willingness of both neighbors and strangers to help those that have lost homes, possessions, businesses and crops. The people of Vermont retain their positive attitude and dignity regardless of the situation.
Another very important value we hold is the dignity of the American worker. Today we celebrate Labor Day in honor of all the men and women who have contributed to our great country's prosperity through their combined efforts. I would like to share with you some thoughts from Jake Perkinson, the acting Chair of the Vermont Democratic Party, because I couldn't have said it better than this:
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| Sen. Bernie Sanders' Labor Day Rally |
"For more than a century, the labor movement has fought for landmark worker protections and benefits. Many of the values we champion as Democrats were born in the labor movement and we continue to be grateful for their activism and leadership on behalf of working Americans. At a time when the Republican Party seems dedicated to dismantling not only these protections but the labor movement itself, we cannot let this gratitude go unexpressed.
Organized labor, like the Democratic Party, has fought on behalf of American workers for the minimum wage, fair hours, just overtime compensation, and paid vacation leave, so that we all have the opportunity to earn a living and have time to spend with our families. The labor movement championed equal pay for women and child labor laws, protecting women and children from exploitation. They fought for healthcare benefits, paid sick leave, workplace health and safety regulations, and workers’ compensation, so that American workers can take care of themselves, do their jobs safely and are protected against loss of earnings if they are injured at work. With our economy still recovering, we cannot forget that it was the labor movement that pushed for unemployment benefits and pensions to protect American families in times of economic uncertainty and allow American workers to retire. We must not take their hard work for granted!"
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| Sen. Sanders' Labor Day Rally |
This Labor Day we should all unite to support the right of Americans to work and demand that government at all levels take the steps to break the economic stagnation we find ourselves in. The opportunities abound to rebuild our infrastructure, encourage research and development and bring jobs back to the United States!
Let's make this Labor Day the beginning of a new day for America!
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