How much does Vermont's power grid depend on fossil fuels?

By Abagael Giles,

Published February 16, 2023 at 4:36 PM EST

A picture of an electric substation — A VELCO substation in New Haven. Vermont’s electricity use is projected to grow dramatically in the coming decades. But how much are we doing to bring more renewables online?

Remington Nevin of Quechee wants to know if Vermont’s electricity is truly as environmentally friendly as some claim it is.

So, your electricity rates are rising. Oil and gas costs: also rising. This led Remington Nevin of Quechee to wonder if Vermont’s electricity is truly as environmentally friendly as some claim it is.

So he put a question to Brave Little State, Vermont Public's show that answers questions about Vermont that have been asked and voted on by you, our audience — because we think our journalism is better when you're a part of it.

"As electricity rates rise with gas and oil costs, to what degree does Vermont's power grid depend on the burning of these fossil fuels?”

In answering Remington's question, Vermont Public's climate and environment reporter Abagael Giles provides an education in our power grid and explores how Vermont could generate more renewable energy in the future.

Note: Our show is produced for the ear. We recommend listening to the audio; for accessibility, we also provide a written transcript of the episode here.

Additional resources:

Find out how you can participate in the Vermont Department of Public Service’s public engagement campaign on renewable electricity here
Check out a tool from ISO New England that shows you what energy source is powering your electricity right now

Remington Nevin skiing outdoors — Remington Nevin of Quechee, a former Army doctor who now does medical legal consulting, is Brave Little State's latest winning question-asker.

Gray metal with spikes — The VELCO substation in New Haven is like a crossroads for electricity. There are big, high-voltage transmission lines, way higher voltage than what you see in your neighborhood. Some bring power all the way from Canada.

A picture of a person standing in front of gray metal and snow — Kerrick Johnson of VELCO says data storage, batteries, new transmission and on-demand renewable power are all key if Vermont wants to further decarbonize its grid.

A photo of a sign on a chain fence — To protect Vermont's power supply, VELCO's substations are under constant surveillance.

A woman stands in front of a painting at the Vermont Statehouse — Annette Smith, the executive director of Vermonters for a Clean Environment, has advocated for a long time for more transparency and clarity about how Vermont approves siting for renewable energy projects.

A photo of two white signs with green on them — At a recent press conference in the Statehouse, Renewable Energy Vermont set up sandwich boards showing graphics of how Vermont's requirements for new renewable energy within our borders compare with other New England states.

Tony Klein of East Montpelier chaired the House Committee on Natural Resources and Energy when the Renewable Energy Standard was first voted into law. He says the policy was intended to jumpstart Vermont's renewable energy industry.

A photo of gray windmills — According to data from the Department of Public Service, before the trading of Renewable Energy Credits, about 10% of the electricity Vermont utilities bought in 2021 came from wind power. After accounting for Renewable Energy Credits, wind no longer appears as part of Vermont's electricity portfolio.

Credits

Abagael Giles reported this episode. Angela Evancie produced it, with lots of help from Mae Nagusky. Mix and sound design by Angela Evancie and Mae Nagusky, with additional help from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Myra Flynn and Josh Crane. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Ben Storrow, John Dillon, Anne Margolis, Matt Kakley, Mara Hoplamazian, Miriam Wasser, Oliver Tully, Jared Duval, Peter Hirschfeld and Brittany Patterson.

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.

Corrected: February 17, 2023 at 12:05 PM EST

A previous version of this story included a caption typo that described Tony Klein as being from East Middlebury. It's been corrected to note he lives in East Montpelier.