Energy Planning - Northeastern Vermont Development Association

Energy

Act 174 and Energy Planning

Regional and municipal plans currently receive "Due Consideration" in the Section 248 siting process. Act 174 was passed in 2016, which establishes a new set of energy planning standards for municipal and regional plans. Plans that meet these standards will be given an affirmative "determination of energy compliance" and will receive "Substantial Deference" in the Public Service Board's Section 248 siting process. Meeting these standards is entirely voluntary; if municipalities do not wish to update their plans, they will continue to receive "Due Consideration" in the Section 248 process. If your town wishes to seek a determination of energy compliance for your plan, you must submit your plan directly to NVDA along with a completed checklist.

Contact Allie Webster, Energy Planner for support and technical assistance (awebster@nvda.net) and/or David Snedeker, Executive Director (dsnedeker@nvda.net); Northeastern Vermont Development Association; PO Box 630; Saint Johnsbury, VT 05819.

Twin States Clean Energy Link (Twin States) and the Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA) announce plans to partner

Twin States Clean Energy Link (Twin States) and the Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA) today announced plans to partner on a $20 million benefits package to support economic growth and opportunities in the Northeast Kingdom (NEK).

Twin States, a renewable energy transmission project proposed by National Grid and Citizens Energy, will deliver 1,200 MW of clean, affordable energy to New England, including Vermont. The project will bury new lines along state roadways in Vermont and New Hampshire and utilize existing transmission corridors in New Hampshire, minimizing the impact to host communities. When completed, Twin States will deliver clean, affordable energy between Canada and New England, saving customers billions in energy costs over the first twelve years of operation alone.

The proposed benefits package will total $20 million over 30 years and be administered by the NVDA to support and promote economic and community development. With federal recovery funds expiring soon, these dollars will be critical to the region’s economic viability. The benefits will be made available through NVDA’s revolving loan fund and local economic and community development grants.

“NVDA is pleased to support and welcome the opportunities provided in the Northeast Kingdom as a result of the Twin States Clean Energy Link,” said Dave Snedeker, Executive Director of NVDA. “National Grid has proactively engaged with NVDA and the local communities to build a project that respects the values of Vermonters while offering an economic boost to a Vermont region in need. It’s a win-win-win for the state, the NEK and the climate.”

Twin States has committed to a comprehensive outreach and education program, which included briefings to all host community selectboards, a series of community open houses, and meetings with other key stakeholders throughout the region and Vermont. Twin States is focused on facilitating a dialogue with host communities to gain critical feedback that improves the overall project.

“NVDA is a robust organization that serves the NEK well,” said Terron Hill, Clean Energy Development Director, National Grid. “By partnering with NVDA, a tireless advocate for the NEK, Twin States will offer tangible and meaningful benefits that will drive economic progress now and into the future for host communities and the entire region.”

Twin States was recently selected by the U.S. Department of Energy under their Transmission Facilitation Program. The project is scheduled to begin construction in 2027 with an end of year 2030 in-service date.

NVDA's Energy Plan

Please note that NVDA's Regional Plan was updated and readopted on July 29, 2023 in accordance with 24 VSA 4348b, which allows regional planning commissions to readopt plans that are approaching expiration. In accordance with statute, we have prepared an Assessment and Report. The report addresses the new requirement for certification of regional plans by the Department of Public Service, including equity requirements. The plan update, however, does not include new municipal breakouts of LEAP analysis, as the new LEAP analysis was being completed just as the readoption of the plan commenced.

NVDA is working on a new regional plan that will incorporate new municipal targets for 2023 LEAP projections, and we will begin making this information available to towns as soon as possible. In the meantime, the existing municipal energy targets, based on 2018 data, can be found in the Appendix of the energy plan. This data is valid until new data is available.

NVDA's amended Regional Plan was certified by the Department of Public Service on June 26, 2018 Click here to read the full plan.

Proposed resource maps:

Caledonia: Solar, Wind, Hydro, Woody Biomass

Essex: Solar, Wind, Hydro, Woody Biomass

Orleans: Solar, Wind, Hydro, Woody Biomass

Municipal Energy Profiles and Targets for Meeting 90 X 2050 Goals

NVDA has developed energy estimates for each Municipality using best available data and guidelines from the Department of Public Service. Estimates are not precise, but they can help establish a baseline for your community as you identify and assess strategies for meeting 2050 goals. Please note that this data model is more region-specific and may vary from the Community Energy Dashboard data.

Below are links to the Municipal Energy Estimates by county:

Municipal Estimates:

Caledonia County

Essex County

Orleans County

If your community would like technical assistance, please contact David Snedeker at NVDA.

Certification of Energy Compliance

Town	Steps Taken
Glover - Town Plan	Notice \| Standards Checklist \| Minutes \| Decision
St. Johnsbury - Town Plan	Notice \| Standards Checklist \| Minutes \| Decision
Peacham - Town Plan	Notice \| Standards Checklist \| Minutes \| Decision
Sutton - Town Plan	Notice \| Standards Checklist \| Minutes \| Decision
Craftsbury - Town Plan	Notice \| Standards Checklist \| Minutes \| Decision
Troy - Town Plan	Notice \| Standards Checklist \| Minutes \| Decision
Westmore - Town Plan	Notice \| Standards Checklist \| Minutes \| Decision
Burke - Town Plan	Notice \| Standards Checklist \| Minutes \| Decision
Greensboro - Town Plan	Notice \| Standards Checklist \| Minutes \| Decision
Irasburg - Town Plan	Notice \| Standards Checklist \| Minutes \| Decision
Morgan - Town Plan	Notice \| Standards Checklist \| Minutes \| Decision
Brighton - Town Plan	Notice \| Standards Checklist \| Minutes \| Decision
Charleston - Town Plan	Notice \| Standards Checklist \| Minutes \| Decision
Westfield - Town Plan	Notice \| Standards Checklist \| Minutes \| Decision
Holland - Town Plan	Notice \| Standards Checklist \| Minutes \| Decision