VERMONT RATEPAYER FUNDED PROGRAMS

CURRENT PROGRAMS
Rate Assistance
  • Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
    • 25% discount off electric bills for households earning up to 150% FPG that are Green Mountain Power customers
  • Low-Income Assistance Program (LIAP)
    • 20% discount on natural gas bills for households earning up to 185% FPG that are Vermont Gas System customers
Arrears Management
  • One-time forgiveness for 3 months of outstanding bills of customers initially enrolling in the EAP
Energy Efficiency
  • Energy Efficiency Utility

    • Efficient lighting and water conservation products; conversion of electric space and/or water heating equipment to less costly natural gas systems; and replacement of inefficient refrigerators, freezers and clothes washers with high-efficiency ENERGY STAR models
  • Weatherization Trust Fund (WTF)

    • Energy and diagnostic assessments; energy-efficient retrofits like dense-pack sidewall insulation, air sealing, attic insulation; and heating system upgrades and replacements
    • Available to households earning at or below 80% SMI
    • Supplements federal WAP
Participating Utilities
  • EAP: Green Mountain Power
  • LIAP: Vermont Gas Systems
  • EEU: Efficiency Vermont (combination of 22 utilities) and Burlington Electric Department
  • WTF: Vendors of heating oil, kerosene, propane, and coal
Annual Funding (2015)
  • EAP: $2.531 million
  • Arrearage Forgiveness: $450,000
  • LIAP: $335,882
  • EEU: Efficiency Vermont - $705,276 / Burlington Electric - $221,584
  • WTF: $9.8 million
Households Served (2014)
  • EAP: 9,169
  • LIAP: 1,487
  • EEU: Efficiency Vermont - 750 / Burlington Electric - 1.021
  • WTF: 916
Funding Mechanism
  • EAP: Surcharge on all Green Mountain Power customers
  • LIAP: Surcharge on all Vermont Gas Systems customers
  • EEU: Non-bypassable volumetric system benefits charge on all utility customers' bills
  • WTF: Gross receipts tax of 0.5% on retail sales of heating oil, kerosene, propane, natural gas, electricity and coal
Administration
  • EAP: Dept Children and Families (LIHEAP grantee) through contract with Green Mountain Power
  • LIAP: Dept Children and Families through contract with Vermont Gas Systems
  • EEU: Burlington Electric Department and Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (for Efficiency Vermont) through contracts with the Public Service Board
  • WAP: Community action agencies with oversight by Dept Children and Families
LEGISLATION
Authorizing
REPORTS / EVALUATIONS