Governor Releases Report on Meeting Renewable Energy
Goal
Administration seeks 25% Renewable
Energy from Farms, Forests by 2025
Montpelier, Vt.
– Governor Jim Douglas on March 6, 2008, released an advisory report showing that Vermont can meet the
goal of generating 25 percent of its total energy from renewable sources,
principally from farms and forests, by 2025.
Under Governor Douglas’ direction, Vermont
became the 14th state to join the 25 X ’25 Alliance in 2006, a coalition of more than
330 agricultural, forestry, businesses, labor, environmental and civic
organizations working to advance renewable energy solutions originating from
farms, forestry and other working lands nationally.
“In Vermont
we have many natural resources that can be converted into renewable and responsible
energy options,” Governor Douglas said. “Working toward, and
meeting, our renewable energy goals will present Vermont new opportunities for economic
growth and job creation,” said Governor Douglas. “This report lays
the groundwork for Vermont
to be a leader in the expanding farm, forest and field-based energy industries.”
The 25 x ‘25 steering committee conducting the work, first
launched by Governor Douglas and later approved by the Legislature in 2006, is
comprised of a broad coalition of agricultural, energy and policy professionals
whose goal is to develop a plan to meet the 25 X ’25 objective. This
report shows that that is indeed feasible. David Lane, Deputy Secretary of
Agriculture, chairs the committee in 2008.
The report, funded by the Department of Public Service, is a
compilation of the work the committee has accomplished over the past year in
its consideration of all possible opportunities for renewable energy sources in
Vermont. At
the Governor’s request, it offers one of many scenarios in which Vermont could achieve
the 25 X ‘25 goal.
The committee’s report suggests using crop-based technologies,
agricultural power sources such as anaerobic digesters, wood-based
technologies, farm-scale wind power, and biodiesel, solar, hydro and geothermal
technologies.
“Agriculture will play a key role in ensuring Vermont’s energy independence.
Renewable energy offers many opportunities for our farmers, our economy and our
environment,” said Roger Allbee, Secretary of Agriculture. “This
report underscores the opportunities we have to produce energy while
maintaining our working landscape.”
“The findings of the 25 x ‘25 committee
echoes the recommendations of the Governor’s Commission on Climate
Change,” added George Crombie, Secretary of the Agency of Natural
Resources. “We need to keep our forests and farmlands working, both for
Vermonters’ well being and the overall health of our environment.”
Next steps detailed in the report include:
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Prioritizing strategies and implementation process
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Setting a timeline
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Identifying partners, collaborators and stakeholders
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Developing a resource assessment and plan
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Developing a communication plan
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Identifying and procuring administrative support
Public Service Commissioner David O’Brien said there is
widespread public support for this effort. “In 2007, almost 1,000
Vermonters participated in a public engagement process on energy. During those
discussions, Vermonters expressed a strong desire to meet future energy demands
through renewable sources of energy. The use of biofuels and sources such as
wood are a natural solution for our state”, O’Brien said.
“I appreciate the collaborative effort
of the members of this committee and the work they have done to put into place
recommendations that have the potential to positively impact Vermont’s economy and our environment,”
Governor Douglas said. “It is important for Vermont to make continued progress in these
areas.”
The Vermont 25 X ’25 Initiative
preliminary findings and goals can be downloaded from www.vermontagriculture.com.
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Jason Gibbs
Governor’s
Communications Director
109
State Street ¨ The Pavilion ¨ Montpelier,
VT 05609-0101 ¨ www.vermont.gov/governor
Telephone: 802.828.3333 ¨ Fax: 802.828.3339 ¨ TDD: 802.828.3345