House Bill H.63 (Act 62)
On June 17, 2019 Governor Phil Scott signed H.63 into law creating ACT 62.
The new law will make Efficiency Vermont, the state’s energy efficiency utility, put money left over from the efficiency charge on electric bills toward weatherization incentives for median-income residents. The bill came after the failure of H.439, a piece of legislation that would have increased the fuel tax to fund weatherization. According to weatherization proponents, the practice will help decrease Vermont’s negative impact on the environment. The following is a link to the ACT 62 summary: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2020/Docs/ACTS/ACT062/ACT062%20Act%20Summary.pdf
Vermont Building Energy Code Update
On May 16 2019, the proposed code was submitted to the Secretary of State. The proposed rules are posted for public comment, and a public hearing was held on June 21 in Room 11 of the Statehouse to receive input.
The Department wants to hear from the public! Comments on these draft documents should be submitted via email to the links as directed below or through the Department Public Service Website:
- Comments regarding the Residential Building Energy Standards
- Comments regarding the Commercial Building Energy Standards
NOTE: The public comment period is only open through July 10, 2019.
US Federal Government Affairs Updates (partial listing as reported by ASHRAE.org,)
- Department of Energy Announces New Buildings Focused Projects
- Department of Energy Will Not Hold Hearings on Appliance Standards
- House Subcommittee Hears Testimony on High-Performance Buildings
For a complete up to date listing of Federal, U.S. Congressional, State and Local Government Affairs activities listed by ASHRAE, refer to the following link:
https://www.magnetmail.net/Actions/email_web_version.cfm?publish=newsletter&user_id=ASHRAE&message_id=17082114#Federal
Dick Wilcox
GAC Chair