Vermonters talk energy

November 5, 2007

BURLINGTON -- For legislators in Vermont, it's not so easy being green.

Vermont has the lowest carbon footprint and one of the most aggressive energy efficiency programs in the nation, and more than two-thirds of the state's electricity comes from contracts with the Entergy-owned Vermont Yankee nuclear plant and Hydro-Quebec in Canada. Those contracts are set to expire -- in 2012 and 2015, respectively -- leaving Vermont's energy future wide open for consideration.

Rep. Robert Dostis, D-Waterbury, chairman of the Natural Resources and Energy Committee and a member of the Joint Energy Committee, said legislation passed last year directed the Public Service Department to develop a public engagement process regarding Vermont's energy future, to encourage Vermonters to examine and make recommendations on ways to meet Vermont's electricity options over the next five to 10 years.

That's why more than 200 Vermonters gathered this weekend on the campus of the University of Vermont to participate in the state-sponsored Deliberative Polling Event on Vermont's Energy Future, the culmination of a series of workshops designed to educate the public about energy in Vermont. Combined, the studies constitute the largest energy sampling ever conducted in the United States, said Stephen Wark, consumer affairs director for the Public Service Department.

"Public policy here in Vermont does drive the marketplace," added James Moore, clean energy advocate for the nonprofit Vermont Public Interest Research Group. "And they're paying attention to what you all think."

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