Groups urge spending on energy efficiency utility

June 10, 2008
MONTPELIER -- Two environmental organizations have recommended that the state increase its energy efficiency utility's budget by more than $20 million while the state Department of Public Service has suggested inflation-only increases.

The Conservation Law Foundation and Vermont Public Interest Research Group filed paperwork Monday with the Public Service Board recommending an increase from $30.75 million to $52.5 million in 2009.

The utility, called Efficiency Vermont, is charged with reducing Vermonters' use of electricity and is funded through a fee on electric customers' bill. The fee would increase from two-thirds of a cent per kilowatt-hour to 1 cent per kilowatt-hour under the CLF/VPIRG recommendation, said Sandra Levine, senior attorney with CLF.

Sarah Hofmann, public advocacy director for the state Department of Public Service, in an April letter to the Public Service Board, recommended level increases in the energy efficiency utility's budget...

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