April 5, 2011
Anson Tebbetts, WCAX News

There is a program called the Clean Energy Fund. It contains millions of dollars. The fund helps finance renewable energy projects like solar and wind through grants and tax credits. Vermont's nuclear power plant, Vermont Yankee, puts about $6 million into the fund each year. But with Vermont Yankee scheduled to close next year, the Legislature needs to find a way to keep the program going. And the popularity of the program already has lawmakers trying to find dollars. Under a comprehensive energy bill that's making its way through the Legislature there is a proposal to attach a fee to utility bills.

"This is a policy statement as much as anything else we want to create incentives to. We want to incent the development of the solar industry," said Rep. Adam Greshin, I-Warren.

Under the bill, the state would place a 55-cent fee each month on utility bills to support renewable energy projects, like solar. Some were critical for starting the fee now even though Vermont Yankee is still paying in, and some are also concerned Vermonters will be asked to pay more if the nuclear plant stops financing the program.

"It may be a small amount now but it could potentially grow and grow and grow just like Efficiency Vermont has," said Rep. Heidi Scheuermann, R-Stowe.

Efficiency Vermont is another program financed through a fee on utility bills. And some argued this new fee should be voluntary, criticizing the authors of the bill for asking the public to pay for a $2.3 million program at a time when the economy is still trying to recover.

"I support the purposes of the clean energy development fund but during a recession it is not a good idea to raise broad base taxes, even if the exact tax for each person would not be large. It is still not a good idea," said Rep. Cynthia Browning, D-Arlington.

The bill was given preliminary approval. But more amendments could come Wednesday including one that could waive the 55-cent fee for low-income Vermonters.

Prior to the debate on the floor there was a sharp exchange where one member accused another of lying. The Democrats were discussing the energy bill in their weekly caucus.

Rep. Paul Poirier, I-Barre City, asked lawmakers to exempt low-income Vermonters from a fee to help finance the renewable energy program. At the end of the presentation he asked Rep. Tony Klein of East Montpelier if he would support his amendment. Klein said no. That prompted Poirier to say, that's not what you said last night and then he called Klein "a liar" and stormed out of the room.

Klein demanded an apology and the Democratic leader asked for civility from members.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - WCAX News