2008 Vermont legislative update.

• Position: Conservation Law Foundation - Brief article

This spring, the Vermont legislature and Gov. Jim Douglas passed a series of initiatives aimed at advancing energy efficiency, renewable energy and transportation choices.

The CLF-backed legislation included creating new means of improving home heating energy efficiency. Building on the tremendous success of Efficiency Vermont, a state-funded group dedicated to energy reduction and efficiency, Vermonters will now have a way to save millions of dollars and help fight climate change by improving the heating efficiency of their homes and businesses.

The legislation also includes expanded net metering, which encourages local renewable projects by allowing excess power to be sold back to the grid. In addition, it simplifies permitting for...