A group of Vermont business, energy, and state leaders, including Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger, Representative Tony Klein and Sugarbush owner Win Smith, joined Green Mountain Power today in criticizing Vermont Law School's Environmental Law Clinic for filing a Federal Trade Commission complaint that targets Vermont's renewable energy laws. The filing against GMP's sale of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) would lead to higher electric rates and discourage renewables in Vermont. State laws aimed at encouraging renewable generation, like the SPEED law, have helped Vermont create the highest number of solar jobs per capita in the country. Utilities like GMP, as well as solar and wind developers, utilize RECs to help expand renewable generation and keep rates low for their customers. The VLS group filed its petition Monday.
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Mary Powell, with Governor Shumlin, speaks at the groundbreaking in August for the Stafford Hill solar project in Rutland.
"In the past five years, the amount of renewable generation developed in Vermont has gone from about 10 MW to over 150 MW -- that's a 15 fold increase," said GMP President and CEO Mary Powell. GMP was a leader in accelerating the adoption of solar generation by launching an incentive in 2008. "We are proud of our record and the fact that we have done all of this while lowering rates for customers this year, and helping Vermont become a national leader in clean energy. We will continue to tell Vermonters the true story about our energy portfolio and the importance of selling RECs to encourage more local renewable generation and keep costs low. GMP is proud to stand with clean energy advocates, state officials, and renewable developers in support of our clean energy laws."
The sale of RECs produced about $30 million of value this year alone, dollars that went directly into the pockets of GMP customers through lower rates.
"The very successful rapid development and growth of renewable energy generation in Vermont today would simply not have happened without the creation of Vermont's SPEED program by the Vermont Legislature in 2005," said Representative Tony Klein Chair, House Natural Resources and Energy Committee. "Our Vermont utilities are doing exactly what the Vermont Legislature has required them to do. And as a result, it has created jobs, tax revenue and clean energy without raising our utility rates. We need to continue to move forward!"
"Our company is very grateful for the work that GMP has done to keep our electric rates down at a time when costs are rising elsewhere. We depend on affordable energy to power Sugarbush each winter. I hope that the people responsible for this will cease their unnecessary and counterproductive filing so that we can focus on the real issues we face as a state," said Sugarbush owner Win Smith.
"Selling renewable energy credits has been an unqualified success in Vermont," said Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger. Burlington Electric Department (BED) recently set a new utility benchmark by achieving its goal of having 100% of its power sourced from renewable generation. "The credits have allowed us to meet dual goals: aggressively supporting more wind and solar generation right here in Vermont while keeping rates low and stable for our customers. If REC sales ended today, rates would spike and construction of renewables would slow. That's a bad bargain for BED's customers and our community."
GMP has wind farms in Lowell and here in Searsburg. Courtesy photos.
"Vermont's SPEED energy policy has been incredibly effective in promoting the development of renewable generation in our state, building projects that will last for decades," said Gabrielle Stebbins, Executive Director of Renewable Energy Vermont. "The economic development and job creation benefits have put a spotlight on Vermont for the amount of renewable development, in particular with solar. REV looks forward to discussing what the next step in Vermont energy policy will look like as SPEED co mes to its expiration, including the potential for a Renewable Portfolio Standard."
"This filing is deeply concerning for Vermont's manufacturers and other energy-intensive businesses," said William Driscoll, vice president of Associated Industries of Vermont. "Our members are trying to save and grow Vermont jobs and wages, and the only outcome the Environmental Law Clinic could accomplish with this meritless action would be to drive up costs and undermine our collective welfare."
GMP said in a statement that its leadership in renewable development is nationally recognized. Vote Solar named GMP a solar champion in 2014, an award that honors leaders for outstanding efforts to make solar power a mainstream energy resource, and in 2013 the Solar Electric Power Association named GMP Utility of the Year.
Source: COLCHESTER, VT--(Marketwired -September 19, 2014) -GMP. VERY TOP PHOTO: A solar farm in South Burlington featuring tracking panels. Courtesy AllEarth Renewables.