Vermont reaps $683,645 in carbon auction

January 2, 2009

Combating climate change will put more money in Vermont's pocket this month.

The state will take home $683,645 from the December auction of carbon dioxide emissions allowances by the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a consortium of 10 Northeastern states.RGGI's September auction -- the first in the United States -- earned Vermont $620,000, for a total that topped $1.3 million for 2008.

What's less clear is exactly how, and when, Vermont will spend the RGGI windfall to help Vermonters take energy-efficiency steps and reduce their fossil fuel use.

Vermont led the way in pledging to devote its RGGI earnings entirely to energy efficiency, but now lawmakers and the Douglas administration are at odds over the details of that program.

The administration sought bids that focused on helping low-income residents weatherize their homes. Legislators say the law they passed required a much broader effort that would help a range of homeowners and businesses reduce their energy use.

Vermont Public Interest Research Group asked the Public Service Board to intervene. The board held a meeting Wednesday to hear the disputants.

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