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The Issues

Energy

Sustainable and Responsible Energy Solutions

A sustainable and responsible energy future is critical to Vermont’s economic and environmental future. In order to insure this we will have to weigh the trade-offs of cost, reliability, impact, and scale of generation.

To accomplish this we must:

1. Begin the process of responsibly decommissioning Vermont Yankee, which must include a method of transitioning employees to good jobs in alternative energy and ensuring a stable economy in the towns that are affected by the loss of the facility.
2. Replace Vermont Yankee baseload power with combined heat and electric biomass plants in communities like Brattleboro and Montpelier; two biomass facilities in Vernon and Beecher Falls that can use wood chips, switchgrass and natural gas as a back up; and the largest investment in efficiency in the country.
   
3. Lessen the overall demand for fuel by piloting the first electric car grid for Vermont drivers and improving rail for business travel and commercial use.
4. Bring resources to communities to create opportunities for district heating and electricity.
5. Invest in renewable energy in state buildings to reduce state operating costs and demonstrate return on investment.
6. Offer effective, accessible incentives in solar, wind and micro-hydro energy and provide capital for sustainable investments. Use revenue bond mechanisms to provide up front capital for zero energy use building investment.
7. Make it a right for every Vermonter to see their energy use in real time. Smart meters deployed across the state will enable citizens to monitor their own energy use and how it compares to their community, saving money and reducing electrical demand in our state.

Updated 6/28: As part of the campaign we are constantly meeting with Vermonters across the state and hearing their thoughts and ideas about how to move Vermont forward. As part of these conversations, we've received a lot of great feedback about our plans for biomass energy and we have updated the text on this page with some changes on how best to implement this technology. The update to this site is emblematic of how I plan to run the state: by proposing fresh new ideas, listening to those on the front lines, being flexible enough to modify plans as needed, and being transparent about the outcomes. Thanks for your continued support. - Matt Dunne