Vermont Incentives and Laws
Last Updated July 2008
Vermont is the home of the Vermont Clean Cities Coalition (www.uvm.edu/~cleancty/). Coordinator contact information is listed in the Points of Contact section.
State Incentives
Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Research and Development Tax Credit
Vermont businesses, that qualify as a high-tech business, involved exclusively in the design, development, and manufacture of alternative fuel vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and electric vehicles (EVs) or energy technology involving fuel sources other than fossil fuels, are eligible for up to three of the following tax credits: 1) payroll income tax credit; 2) qualified research and development income tax credit; 3) export tax incentive; 4) small business investment tax credit; and 5) high-tech growth tax credit. Certain limits and restrictions apply. (Reference Vermont Statutes Title 32, Chapter 151, Section 5930k)
State Laws and Regulations
Biodiesel Use Study
The Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services, Public Service Board, and Agency of Transportation must submit a report to the state legislature with recommendations for increasing the use of biodiesel in the state vehicle fleet. The report must include recommendations for using biodiesel blends of at least 5% (B5) in the transportation fleet by December 31, 2009, and at least 10% (B10) by 2012. (Reference Senate Bill 209, 2008)
Greenhouse Emissions Study
By December 15, 2008, the Vermont Agency of Transportation must submit a report to the state legislature on the role of motor vehicles in contributing to air emissions in the state and determine what portion of overall statewide energy consumption is attributable to motor vehicle use. The report must also include recommendations to encourage and reward energy-efficient transportation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by the transportation sector, and support alternative modes of transportation, as well as recommendations for public education on clean and efficient transportation options. (Reference Senate Bill 350, 2008)
Idle Reduction Requirement
Contingent on guidelines set by the Vermont Board of Education, school bus operators may not leave engines running, or idle the engine, while waiting for children to board or exit the bus, and may not start the engine until ready to leave the school premises. State Board of Education rules may allow idling when defrosting, heating, or cooling the bus is necessary for the health and safety of the driver and passengers. (Reference Vermont Statutes Title 23, Chapter 13, Section 1282f)
Agricultural Economic Development Plan for Biofuels
The Vermont Department of Agriculture, Food and Markets will develop an economic initiative to provide business and technical assistance for research and planning to aid farmers in developing business enterprises that harvest biomass, convert biomass to energy, or produce biofuels such as biodiesel and ethanol; implementation assistance to leverage other sources of capital to assist farmers in purchasing equipment, technology, or other assistance to produce agricultural energy, harvest biomass, or convert biomass to energy; and business, technical and implementation assistance to non-farmers to develop and implement technology or development of facilities designed to produce agricultural energy, harvest biomass, convert biomass to energy, provided the non-farmer is working in conjunction with a Vermont farm. Additional conditions may apply. (Reference Vermont Statutes Title 6, Chapter 209, Section 4710)
Fuel Efficient Vehicle Acquisition Requirements
A Climate Neutral Working Group (Working Group) was established in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from state government operations. As part of this effort, all state government agencies, offices, and departments are directed to purchase the most fuel-efficient vehicles available in each vehicle class according to specifications set by the Working Group. The Working Group is directed to consider vehicles that meet high fuel economy standards and provide lower total overall emissions of greenhouse gases, criteria pollutants, and hazardous air contaminants. This directive expires on July 1, 2020. (Reference Executive Order 14-03, 2003)
Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) Access to Roadways
An NEV is defined as an electric vehicle that is designed to be, and is, operated at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour (mph) and conforms to the minimum safety equipment requirements as adopted in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 571.500. An NEV may only be used on roads that have a posted speed limit of up to 35 mph. (Reference Vermont Statutes Title 23, Chapter 1, Section 4, and Chapter 13, Sections 1007a and 1043)
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Acquisition Requirements
The Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services must consider AFVs when purchasing vehicles for state use, providing the alternative fuel is suitable for the vehicle's operation, is available in the region where the vehicle will be used, and is competitively priced with conventional fuels. (Reference Vermont Statutes Title 29, Chapter 49, Section 903)
State Agency Energy Plan Transportation Requirements
The Secretary of Administration is responsible for developing and overseeing the implementation of a State Government Agency Energy Plan. The plan must be modified as necessary and readopted by the Secretary on or before January 15 of each fifth year after 2005. The plan encourages the investigation of the environmental and economic feasibility of replacing the use of conventional diesel fuel with appropriate biodiesel blends. Additionally, all vehicles purchased for inclusion in the Vermont State Fleet must be among the most fuel-efficient and lowest emission vehicle models in each class. This includes a purchasing preference for appropriate advanced technology vehicles including hybrid electric vehicles. Furthermore, the Secretary, in coordination with the Vermont Agency of Transportation, Department of Buildings and General Services, Agency of Natural Resources, will expand education and tracking of vehicle engine anti-idling campaigns pertaining to state fleet vehicles and private sector vehicles operating on state-owned property. (Reference Vermont Statutes Title 3, Chapter 45, Section 2291)
Point of Contact
Debra Baslow
Buildings Engineer
Department of Buildings and General Services
Phone (802) 828-0377
Fax (802) 828-3533
debra.baslow@state.vt.us
http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pdf/VTStateEnergyPlan.pdf
Utilities/Private Incentives
Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Incentives
Vermont Gas Systems will provide technical assistance on a case-by-case basis to customers wishing to purchase and operate NGVs.
Point of Contact
James (J.J.) Mullowney
Manager, Technical Services
Vermont Gas Systems
Phone (802) 863-4511 x339
Fax (802) 658-3926
jmullowney@vermontgas.com
Points of Contact:
| NAME/EMAIL | AGENCY | TITLE | PHONE/FAX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karen Glitman karen.glitman@uvm.edu | Vermont Clean Cities Coalition | Program Coordinator, UVM Transportation Center/Clean Cities Coordinator | Phone: (802) 656-8868 Fax: (802) 656-9892 | Mike Scarpino michael.scarpino@netl.doe.gov | U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory | Project Manager | Phone: (412) 386-4726 Fax: (412) 386-5835 | Debra Baslow debra.baslow@state.vt.us | Department of Buildings and General Services | Buildings Engineer | Phone: (802) 828-0377 Fax: (802) 828-3533 | James (J.J.) Mullowney jmullowney@vermontgas.com | Vermont Gas Systems | Manager, Technical Services | Phone: (802) 863-4511 x339 Fax: (802) 658-3926 | Gina Campoli gina.campoli@state.vt.us | Vermont Agency of Transportation, Policy and Planning Division | Environmental Policy Manager | Phone: (802) 828-5756 Fax: (802) 828-3983 | Robert Judge judge.robert@epa.gov | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Environmental Engineer, Region 1 | Phone: (617) 918-1045 Fax: (617) 918-0045 |
