The Vermont Public Utility Commission plays the primary role in designing the rules of a Clean Heat Standard. The Commission is tasked with facilitating public engagement in the development of Clean Heat Standard rules and will act as the program administrator after enactment. The Public Utility Commission is also tasked with facilitating stakeholder engagement by hosting workshops and consulting with a Clean Heat Standard Technical Advisory Group and an Equity Advisory Group (information on these groups can be found further below). At the end of the rule development process, the Commission will provide the General Assembly with the Commission’s proposed rules to implement the Clean Heat Standard. The General Assembly will then need to pass legislation in 2025 to implement the Clean Heat Standard.
The Commission created two dockets to facilitate this process. The public is invited to comment on Clean Heat Standard dockets posted on the Public Utility Commission’s online document-management system, ePUC. Information on how to navigate ePUC can be found here.
Access to both proceedings related to the development and design of the Clean Heat Standard can be found here:
Docket number 23-2220-RULE - Case where the Commission is developing the rules and procedures of the potential Clean Heat Standard
Docket number 23-22221-INV - Case where the Commission is developing the details and process for potential Default Delivery Agent(s).
The Commission updated these dockets regularly. To stay informed on the current comment interval, check the Commission’s Clean Heat Standard webpage, event calendar, or dockets regularly (all linked above).
Clean Heat Standard Advisory Groups:
An Equity Advisory Group (EAG) and a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) have been established by the Commission to help develop and implement the Clean Heat Standard. Advisory Group Materials are provided on the Commission's Clean Heat Standard page.
-
The EAG is in place to ensure the Commission considers equity in the development of the Clean Heat Standard, that an equitable portion of clean heat measures are delivered to Vermonters with low or moderate income, and to inform the Commission of potential negative impacts of the Clean Heat Standard experienced on low or moderate households.
-
The TAG is in place to aid in the ongoing management of the Clean Heat Standard.
The TAG and EAG are meeting on a bi-weekly basis throughout the Clean Heat Standard development and design phase. The EAG will exist until the Clean Heat Standard rules are adopted by the legislature. The TAG will exist in perpetuity to help with the ongoing management of the Clean Heat Standard.
Notices of both Advisory Group meetings and Workshops can be found on the Commission’s Clean Heat Standard webpage or on the Commission’s Events Calendar.