The Senate and House Natural Resources and Energy Committees will hold a joint public hearing on renewable energy siting, with a focus on solar energy, on Tuesday, March 24th, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Room 11 at the Vermont State House.

Over the last decade, the Vermont Legislature has made repeated commitments to renewable energy through statute, policy, and programs. As a result, we are increasingly seeing solar projects constructed in accordance with these statewide climate and energy goals. With regard to solar development and siting, how well is the current PSB approval process working in terms of achieving the state’s energy goals? Does it provide adequate consideration of the planning goals and preferences of individuals, municipalities, and regions? How does it integrate the needs of the state as a whole with the needs of individual communities or regions? How does it serve project developers? How could the process be improved?

The public is invited to participate in person or by writing to the committees. Whether speaking at the hearing or sending testimony, all participants are asked to email their remarks to Legislative Council member Katie Pickens, kpickens@leg.state.vt.us, so that your remarks can be shared on the committee’s web pages.

The hearing will begin at 6 p.m. The sign-up sheet for speaking at the hearing will be opened at 5:30 p.m. Speakers will be given two minutes and may also submit longer remarks, if desired, in writing.

Katie Pickens, Committee Assistant
Sen. Natural Resources & Energy Committee
802-828-5760