The Public Utility Commission (Commission) has established three types of programs that qualifying customers can use to manage energy efficiency projects. Participation criteria vary; however, customers wishing to self-administer energy efficiency must submit an application to the Public Utility Commission for approval.
EEU Customer Programs
Under Vermont law, customers paying an average annual Energy Efficiency Charge (EEC) of at least $5,000 may apply to the Commission to self-administer energy efficiency through an energy savings account.
In May 2019, as required by Vermont law, the Commission established a three-year ESA pilot program as an expansion of the existing ESA option. Ten customers were selected to participate in the pilot program. To learn more about the pilot program and customers participating, go to case number 19-0302-INV in ePUC .
Application Process:
The Energy Savings Account Implementation Document details the process.
Use these Efficiency Vermont materials to apply for this option:
File the completed application package via ePUC; the system automatically provides notice of the application to any other required parties.
For More Information:
To learn more about the development of the Energy Savings Account option, go to ePUC for case numbers EEU-2013-02 and EEU-2014-02 in ePUC.
When reading these documents, please note: the requirement for an energy savings account program was originally codified in 30 V.S.A. § 209(d)(4). However, in 2013, changes were made to § 209 such that the requirement is now codified in 30 V.S.A. § 209(d)(3)(B).
The Commercial and Industrial Customer Credit Program allows commercial and industrial customers that meet certain eligibility standards to use most of their energy efficiency charge funds to implement energy-savings measures of their own as a substitute for participation in the system-wide programs of Efficiency Vermont.
Application Process:
No later than February 28th (29th if a leap year) of each calendar year, any customer may notify the utility, the Department of Public Service, and the Commission, in writing, that it intends to participate in the Program in that calendar year.
The Attachment to an August 24, 2012, Commission Order describes the current participation requirements and process in detail.
For More Information:
To learn more about the C&I Customer Credit Program, see case number EEU-2012-01 in ePUC.
The SMEEP allows certain eligible transmission and industrial electric customers to be exempt from the energy efficiency charge provided the customer commits to spending an annual average of $500,000 or $1.5 million over three years, depending on when the customer became eligible based on its energy efficiency charge.
Approved by the Commission in its December 28, 2009, Order, the Self-Managed Energy Efficiency Program allows an eligible customer to be exempt from the energy efficiency charge ("EEC") provided the customer commits to certain spending on energy efficiency investments.
Application Process:
Eligible customers must demonstrate they have an existing comprehensive energy-management program with annual objectives (or demonstrate certification of ISO standard 14001.). Additionally, customers must commit to investing the minimum spending levels identified under Vermont law.
For More Information:
To learn more about participating in SMEEP and its application process, search ePUC by using the "All Cases" search, typing "self-managed" or "SMEEP" in the "Case Name" field, and clicking the Search button. (To find all cases related to the SMEEP program, search twice, once using "self-managed" and the other using "SMEEP.") When reading documents about SMEEP, please note that the requirement for a self-managed energy efficiency program was originally codified in 30 V.S.A. § 209(h). However, in 2013, changes were made to § 209 such that the requirement is now codified in 30 V.S.A. § 209(j).