Vermont Law Implements Use of Feed-in Tariffs

Reader Contribution by Sean Rosner

Vermont took a big step forward in promoting renewable energy last week by passing a feed-in tariff (FIT) policy. This type of renewable energy incentive guarantees that utility companies will pay owners of renewable energy systems a good price for the energy they produce. Vermont’s FIT policy is one of the first to be passed in the United States.

The law is part of Vermont’s Sustainably Priced Energy Enterprise Development Program, and closely resembles Ontario’s Green Energy Act.

Made popular by Germany, who began using them in the 1990s, feed-in tariffs work by setting prices that utility companies must pay for the energy they receive from private producers such as households and businesses. By doing this, they alleviate the financial burdens of installing renewable energy systems. For more information on feed-in tariffs, go here.

In Vermont’s case, the tariff rates are set not only to pay back the system costs, but to allow producers to generate a small profit. The tariff rates also vary by energy type, with more expensive energy systems bringing in more money. Here are some of the details of the law, as reported in this Paul Gipe article:

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