The rules give exclusive review of energy projects that feed into the
existing grid to the Public Service Board. The goals of the rule,
according to the Public Service Board, are to "encourage private
investment in renewable energy resources, stimulate economic growth of
the state and enhance the continued diversification of energy sources
used in Vermont."
Rule 248 creates 10 criteria, similar to Act 250 environmental review
criteria that may be applied to Public Service Board Review of energy
projects. Rule 5.100 also lets the Public Service Board waive a host of
the review criteria and waive traditional rules of evidentiary
procedure.
Towns that wish to participate in the review process for alternative
energy projects have not a handhold by which to participate if their
Town Plan does not include a section addressing energy policies, siting
criteria, impact mitigation, etc.
And, while local planning commissions are working on rewriting Town
Plans, perhaps legislators should consider the impact of shutting towns
out of this very important review process.
Towns, regional planning commissions, local environmental advocacy
groups and neighbors need to be able to participate in the process.
There should be a process by which all projects that come before the
Public Service Board should have to publish or post a legal warning
alerting residents, etc., to the fact that the project has been proposed
and is under review by the PSB.
Alternative energy is the way of the future, and a town's ability to
control its destiny - including whether or not there are wind farms on
its ridges or fields or solar trackers in its fields or micro-hydro dams
in its streams - is local control which is the Vermont way.
{loadnavigation}
