Christine Hallquist

This document outlines the development process for the Vermont 2022 Comprehensive Energy Plan, an update to the 2016 plan, following a six-year cycle. The strategic plan aims to meet Vermont's energy goals, including achieving 90% renewable energy by 2050 and fulfilling greenhouse gas reduction requirements set by the Global Warming Solutions Act. Key focus areas include electrification, energy efficiency, and increased local renewable generation, with an emphasis on addressing challenges in thermal, transportation, and electricity sectors, and optimizing grid management. The plan utilizes quantitative analysis through the LEAP model and incorporates feedback from regional planning commissions regarding implementation challenges and opportunities such as weatherization tracking, rural transportation solutions, grid infrastructure constraints, and the potential of biomass.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda, which included a modification to reschedule the minutes approval item to allow for a board member's attendance. Key discussions involved moving into executive session to review the CUD Business Plan, pursuant to attorney-client privilege guidelines, with no action taken upon returning to public session. Another executive session was held regarding the BEAD Update, specifically concerning contract negotiations with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), also concluding without public action. A legislative update detailed the progress on the Budget Adjustment Act, budget address reviews, and ongoing work regarding telecom siting bills and consumer protection measures related to copper infrastructure retirement. The board reviewed an updated comparison of service provider rates to ensure CUD competitiveness, a topic the Chair emphasized should be reviewed annually. Updates were provided on the parking lot items, including the reappointment process and the recoupment policy draft. The VCUDA update covered shared service opportunities and ongoing work on the Recoupment policy. Finally, the next meeting date could not be confirmed due to conflicts, requiring staff to identify a new date. The session concluded with an executive session to discuss personnel matters.

The Vermont 2022 Comprehensive Energy Plan outlines the state's energy vision, updated every six years, focusing on affordability, reliability, sustainability, and meeting greenhouse gas reduction requirements. Key strategies involve energy conservation, promoting efficient energy systems across electric, transportation, and thermal sectors, and fostering renewable energy development including solar, hydro, biomass, geothermal, and wind. The plan emphasizes enhancing public transportation, expanding biking/pedestrian networks, and supporting local energy planning to achieve a 90% renewable energy supply across all sectors by 2050, while adapting to challenges like grid constraints and cost barriers for electrification.

The 2026 Annual Energy Report for Vermont provides key insights and recommendations by the Department of Public Service to further the state's Comprehensive Energy Plan goals. The report addresses rising electric rates, the pace of weatherization adoption, federal funding uncertainty, the strong clean energy market, and challenges/opportunities from variable load and generation. It aims to ensure adequate, reliable, secure, and sustainable energy services, promoting affordability, economic vitality, efficient resource use, demand-side management, and environmental soundness, including greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

The meeting agenda included calling the meeting to order and approving the agenda, followed by public comment sessions. Key business items involved a review of the CUD Business Plan during an executive session related to confidential attorney-client communications. Updates were provided on the BEAD program, legislative matters, and a comparison of rates. The board also received updates from VCUDA and included parking lot items for future discussion. Executive sessions were also scheduled to consider personnel matters.