Vermont currently has some of the cleanest energy in the country, with hydro and nuclear providing about 66% of our state's electricity needs.  We must maintain that clean energy commitment, but also ensure our portfolio is reliable, affordable and safe.

The State recently released its newly drafted Energy Plan, and it is a disappointment, to say the least, as it focuses almost entirely on the development of renewable energy.  While clearly it is important to have renewable energy generation in our portfolio, we cannot do it by sacrificing, completely, the affordability and the reliability of energy for our state's businesses and families.

We must have a comprehensive energy plan, with a long-term, realistic approach to achieving it.  The plan being proposed is not it.  While there are some worthy ideas included in the 600-page plan, implementing it would result in increased air pollution in the short-term, and more expensive power and a loss of jobs, in general.