The bill S.110 proposes significant revisions to Vermont's climate and energy laws, including the repeal of the Affordable Heat Act and the citizen suit provision of the Global Warming Solutions Act. It redefines the state's greenhouse gas reduction requirements as goals rather than mandates and replaces the Renewable Energy Standard (RES) with a Clean Energy Standard (CES). The bill repeals 10 V.S.A. § 594 and amends 10 V.S.A. § 578 to establish a target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by January 1, 2035, while eliminating previous specific percentage reduction targets for 2025, 2030, and 2050. Additionally, it modifies the Vermont Climate Council's structure, making it advisory and expanding its membership to include representatives from municipal governments and rural communities, with a focus on recommending affordable initiatives to achieve net zero emissions.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new definitions and outlines the Council's role in evaluating strategies to meet the state's climate goals. It emphasizes the need for updated plans that prioritize equitable and scientifically informed strategies for emissions reduction and adaptation, establishing a timeline for the Secretary of Natural Resources to adopt rules by July 1, 2027, to meet the 2035 net zero emissions requirements. The CES mandates that retail electricity providers sell energy sourced from clean and renewable plants, with specific percentage requirements for clean and renewable energy, and introduces the Renewable Energy for Communities Program to support distributed renewable generation in historically marginalized communities. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 10-594, 10-578, 10-590, 10-591, 10-592, 10-593, 30-202a, 30-202b, 30-8002, 30-8004, 30-8005, 30-8006, 30-8008