Vermont Department of Public Service Biennial Report July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2010 July 2011 Department of Public Service 112 State Street - Drawer 20 Montpelier, Vermont 05620-2601 (802) 828-2811 TTY/TDD (VT): 1-800-734-8390 e-mail: [email protected] Internet: http://www.state.vt.us/psd The Vermont Department of Public Service is an equal opportunity agency and offers all persons the benefits of participating in its services, programs, and activities and competing in all areas of employment, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability. This document can be made available in alternate format on request. Contact: Deputy Commissioner, Department of Public Service, 802-828- 2811 (voice), 800-734-8390 (TTY). Vermont Department of Public Service Biennial Report July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2010 August, 2011 Department of Public Service 112 State Street - Drawer 20 Montpelier, Vermont 05620-2601 (802) 828-2811 TTY/TDD (VT): 1-800-734-8390 e-mail: [email protected] Internet: http://www.state.vt.us/psd Vermont Department of Public Service Biennial: July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2010 Table Of Contents INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................... 8 1. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES............................................................................ 10 A. PUBLIC ADVOCACY DIVISION .......................................................................................................................... 10 B. CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION DIVISION .......................................................................... 11 C. PLANNING AND ENERGY RESOURCES DIVISION ............................................................................................. 13 THE PLANNING GROUP ............................................................................................................................................ 13 Preparation of Statewide Plans and Studies .................................................................................................... 13 Electric Plan..................................................................................................................................................... 13 Vermont Comprehensive Energy Plan ............................................................................................................. 14 Legislative Studies ............................................................................................................................................ 14 Efficiency Potential Studies .............................................................................................................................. 15 The Creation of an Alternative Regulation Framework for Energy Utilities ................................................... 15 Transmission Planning ..................................................................................................................................... 16 Review of Gas and Electric Purchases, Investments, Sales, and Facilities Proposals .................................... 16 Review of Utility Integrated Resource Plans ................................................................................................... 16 Planning in a Regional Energy Landscape ...................................................................................................... 17 Other Activities of the Planning Group ............................................................................................................ 17 ENERGY RESOURCES GROUP ................................................................................................................................... 18 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 18 The Energy Efficiency Utility ........................................................................................................................... 19 The EEU Budget and the Energy Efficiency Charge ....................................................................................... 20 Energy Efficiency Utility Oversight and Evaluation ........................................................................................ 22 Energy Efficiency Utilities - Heating and Process Fuel Efficiency Services ................................................... 23 Self Managed and Self Administered Energy Efficiency Programs ................................................................. 23 Review of Act 250 Applications for Energy Efficiency..................................................................................... 24 All-fuels Efficiency Program ............................................................................................................................ 24 Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES) .............................................................................................. 25 Commercial Building Energy Standards (CBES) ............................................................................................ 26 Fossil Fuel Price Monitoring ........................................................................................................................... 27 Wind Energy Development ............................................................................................................................... 30 Sponsorships .................................................................................................................................................... 31 Biomass Energy ................................................................................................................................................ 31 Alternative-Fuel Transportation ...................................................................................................................... 31 Vermont Superintendents Association School Energy Management Program ................................................ 32 Net Metering..................................................................................................................................................... 33 Clean Energy Development Fund .................................................................................................................... 37 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Programs ........................................................................ 38 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program ............................................................................ 38 State Energy Program ...................................................................................................................................... 38 D. ENGINEERING DIVISION .................................................................................................................................. 40 Electric Transmission and Distribution Facilities ........................................................................................... 40 Vermont System Planning Committee (VSPC) ................................................................................................. 40 Energy Loss Savings ........................................................................................................................................ 40 Electric Transmission and Distribution System Reliability ............................................................................. 41 Homeland Security and State Emergency Operations Plan ............................................................................. 42 New England Regional Transmission Operator (ISO-NE) .............................................................................. 43 Inter-Area Planning Stakeholder Advisory Committee Meeting (IPSAC) ....................................................... 43 New York Power Authority (NYPA) Hydropower ............................................................................................ 44 Nuclear Power ................................................................................................................................................. 44 Vermont Department of Public Service Biennial: July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2010 Natural Gas and Propane ................................................................................................................................. 45 Underground Utilities Damage Prevention ...................................................................................................... 45 E. FINANCE, ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DIVISION .............................................................. 46 Tariff Filings ..................................................................................................................................................... 46 Special Contracts .............................................................................................................................................. 46 Power Sales ...................................................................................................................................................... 46 Gross Revenue Tax ........................................................................................................................................... 47 DPS Financial Summary .................................................................................................................................