Vermont Incentives and Laws

Last Updated July 2009

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 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 5930a, c, f, g, and k)

Agricultural Economic Development Plan for Biofuels

The Vermont Farm Viability Enhancement Program provides business planning services and technical assistance to farmers and is available for research and planning related to harvesting biomass, converting biomass to energy, or producing biofuels such as biodiesel and ethanol. (Reference Vermont Statutes Title 6, Chapter 209, Section 4710)

State Laws and Regulations

Green Workforce Collaborative

The Vermont Workforce Development Council and the Commissioner of Labor will develop a Green Workforce Collaborative to develop and promote career training and employment opportunities for Vermont residents in green industry sectors, including: the energy-efficient, low-emission, and advanced vehicles industry; the mass transit fleet conversion industry; and the biofuels industry. These programs will enhance the economic and environmental vitality of the state and give priority to programs that provide education, training, and other services to target populations. (Reference Senate Bill 313, 2009)

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 the bus is 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)

Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards

The Vermont LEV Program requires that new vehicles sold in Vermont meet California emission and compliance requirements, as set forth in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations. Requirements apply to Model Year (MY) 2000 and subsequent MY vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of up to 6,000 pounds (lbs.), and MY 2004 and later vehicles with a GVWR of up to 14,000 lbs. Manufacturers must comply with Zero Emission Vehicle sales requirements and, beginning with MY 2009 vehicles, also comply with greenhouse gas emissions requirements. (Reference Vermont Air Pollution Control Regulations (PDF 561 KB) Subchapter XI) Download Adobe Reader

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

A 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 with a posted speed limit of up to 35 mph. The operator of an NEV may cross a highway that has a speed limit of up to 50 mph if the crossing begins and ends on a highway authorized for use by NEVs, and the intersection is controlled by traffic control signals. The State Traffic Committee or the legislative body of a municipality for town highways may prohibit the use of NEVs on highways or at intersections in their jurisdiction if the decision is made in the interest of public safety. (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)

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)

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
Environmental Engineer II
Department of Buildings and General Services
Phone (802) 828-0377
Fax (802) 828-6501
debra.baslow@state.vt.us
http://bgs.vermont.gov/facilities/pms/energy

Utilities/Private Incentives

Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Incentives

Vermont Gas Systems will provide technical assistance on a case-by-case basis to customers interested in purchasing and operating NGVs.

Point of Contact

John St. Hilaire
NGV Project Manager
Vermont Gas Systems
Phone (802) 863-4511 x360
Fax (802) 651-4705
jsthilaire@vermontgas.com

Points of Contact:

NAME/EMAIL/TITLE	AGENCY	PHONE/FAX
Karen Glitman Program Coordinator, UVM Transportation Center/Clean Cities Coordinator	Vermont Clean Cities Coalition	Phone:(802) 656-8868 Fax:(802) 656-9892
Mike Scarpino Project Manager	U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory	Phone:(412) 386-4726 Fax:(412) 386-5835
Debra Baslow Environmental Engineer II	Department of Buildings and General Services	Phone:(802) 828-0377 Fax:(802) 828-6501
John St. Hilaire NGV Project Manager	Vermont Gas Systems	Phone:(802) 863-4511 x360 Fax:(802) 651-4705
Gina Campoli Environmental Policy Manager	Vermont Agency of Transportation, Policy and Planning Division	Phone:(802) 828-5756 Fax:(802) 828-3983
Ariel Garcia Environmental Engineer, Region 1	U.S. Environmental Protection Agency	Phone:(617) 918-1660 Fax:(617) 918-0660
Alison Simcox Environmental Scientist, Region 1	U.S. Environmental Protection Agency	Phone:(617) 918-1684 Fax:(617) 918-0684