Mandatory Utility Green Power Option

Vermont enacted legislation (S.B. 209) in March 2008 requiring all electric utilities -- including municipal utilities and electric cooperatives -- either to implement a voluntary green power program or to offer customers the option of making a voluntary contribution to the Vermont Clean Energy Development Fund. In general, green power programs allow consumers to support renewable energy by making voluntary added contributions on their monthly electric bills. Vermont utilities must make these programs available to consumers no later than July 1, 2009. The Vermont Public Service Board (PSB) is authorized to exempt a utility if the utility provides "good cause" for exemption.