The Vermont Energy Partnership is a diverse group of more than 90 business, labor, and community organizations and independent energy experts working to ensure that Vermont has reliable, affordable, and clean electricity. It is imperative to address Vermont’s tremendous electricity challenges today so that the state remains a great place to live and work.

• Securing our baseload power supply. Consistently generated, 24/7 baseload power, such as that which is currently generated by Vermont Yankee and HydroQuébec, is the foundation for the state’s electricity portfolio. These sources, which today account for two thirds of the state’s power, should continue to play an important role in the future in order to keep electricity affordable for large and small consumers.

• Developing instate renewable energy projects. Renewable energy projects such as wind, solar, and hydro power can help to address the state’s growing needs. New projects should be developed instate so that renewable energy sources can begin to add to Vermont’s portfolio more significantly, and ensure the preservation of the state’s environmental heritage.

• Promoting greater energy efficiency. Energy efficiency programs provide substantial and tangible ways for many businesses and consumers to significantly cut electricity usage and costs. Such programs are an important component for addressing electricity supply challenges and staving off steady increases in demand each year.

• Transmission reliability and stability. While Vermont needs to maintain and increase its supply of electricity, it must also have a quality transmission network so that it distributes the electricity most efficiently. Such projects should be considered based on the overall benefits each will provide, and not just the opposition they incur from NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) activists.