Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy (Room 8)

The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy has jurisdiction over matters relating to the conservation, development, and planning of the State's natural resources, including water quality, geology, forestry, parks and recreation, and fish and wildlife; community and regional planning and development; and the conservation and planning of sources of energy.

Print

---

Thursday, January 9, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:00 AM

Joint Assembly

Canvassing Committee Report

2:00 PM

Joint Assembly

Governor's Inaugural Address

---

Friday, January 10, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:30 AM

Committee Discussion and Organization

Introduction of Committee Members

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

---

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:30 AM

Senate Floor

10:00 AM

Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

Senate Chamber

11:00 AM

Introductions

Agency of Natural Resources

• Jason Batchelder, Commissioner, Department of Environmental Conservation
  
• Danielle Fitzgo, Comissioner, Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation
  
• Charles Martin, Deputy Commissioner, Agency of Natural Resources
  
• Julie Moore, Secretary, Agency of Natural Resources
  
• Andrea Shortsleeve, Interim Commissioner, Fish and Wildlife
  

---

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

Organizational Updates

• Kate Gluckman, Director, Serve Learn Earn
  
• Breck Knauft, Executive Director, Vermont Youth Conservation Corps
  
• Shana Louiselle, Communications Manager, Vermont Electric Power Company
  

10:15 AM

Information Updates

Vermont Chamber of Commerce

• Jeremy Little, Policy and Outreach Associate, Vermont Chamber of Commerce
  
• Megan Sullivan, Vice President of Government Affairs, Vermont Chamber of Commerce
  

10:45 AM

Break

11:00 AM

Committee Discussion and Planning

12:00 PM

Adjourn

---

Thursday, January 16, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

Act 18 Review

Joint hearing with House Energy and Digital Information
Rm. 267, Pavilion Building

• Ellen Czajkowski, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  

9:45 AM

Clean Heat Report

• Ed McNamara, Chair, Public Utility Commission
  

10:15 AM

Break

10:30 AM

Clean Heat Standard Equity Report

• Mia Watson, Special Programs Manager, Vermont Housing Finance Agency
  

11:10 AM

Technical Advisory Group

• Rick Weston, Principal and Director of Policy, The Regulatory Assistance Project
  

12:00 PM

Adjourn

---

Friday, January 17, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

Security Briefing

Due to the nature of the content this meeting will not be live streamed.

• Agatha Kessler, Sergeant-At-Arms, Vermont State House
  
• John Poleway, Chief, Capitol Police Department
  
• Joe Tremblay, Officer, Capitol Police Department
  

10:15 AM

Regional Planning Commission Updates

• Charlie Baker, Executive Director, Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission
  
• Catherine Dimitruk, Chair, Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies
  
• Christian Meyer, Director, Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission
  

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

---

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:30 AM

Senate Floor

Followed by Anti Discrimination Training

10:30 AM

Vermont Conservation Districts

Overview

• Clare Ireland, Director of Operations, Vermont Association of Conservation Districts
  

11:00 AM

Break

11:05 AM

Land Use Board

Overview of Board Roles

• Ellen Czajkowski, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  

11:30 AM

Governor's Appointees Responsibly

Fish and Wildlife Board
Lake Champlain Futures

• Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  

12:00 PM

Ajourn

---

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

Vermont Land Trust

• Pieter Van Loon, Forestry Program Director, Vermont Land Trust
  
• Abby White, Vice President of Engagement, Vermont Land Trust
  

9:30 AM

River Corridors

• Karina Dailey, WaterRestoration, Vermont Natural Resources Council
  
• Lauren Oates, Director of External Affairs
  

10:15 AM

Break

10:30 AM

Water Initiative

Updates

• Emily Bird, Program Manager, Clean Water Initiative, Department of Environmental Conservation, Agency of Natural Resources
  
• Claire Madden, Water Investment Division Environmental Analyst
  
• Julie Moore, Secretary, Agency of Natural Resources
  

12:00 PM

Ajourn

3:45 PM

Legislative Briefing

House Chamber

---

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

ISO New England Introduction and Regional Update

• Sarah Adams, State Policy Adviser, ISO New England
  

9:30 AM

TBD

• Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  

10:00 AM

Efficiency Vermont

Updates

• Peter Walke, Director, Efficiency Vermont
  

10:30 AM

Break

10:45 AM

Vermont Conservation Design

• Robert Zaino, Ecologist, Department of Fish and Wildlife
  

12:00 PM

Adjourn

---

Friday, January 24, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

PUC Overview

• Ed McNamara, Chair, Public Utility Commission
  

9:30 AM

Vermont Clean Water Act

• Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  

10:45 AM

Break

11:00 AM

Wetlands

• Karina Dailey, Restoration Ecologist, Vermont Natural Resources Council
  

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

---

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:30 AM

Senate Floor

9:50 AM

Committee Discussion and Priorities

10:00 AM

Break

10:30 AM

Vermont Electricity 101 Overview

• TJ Poor, Director Regulated Utility Planning, Public Service Department
  

11:30 AM

Vermont Housing and Conservation

Updates

• Gus Seelig, Executive Director, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board
  

12:00 PM

Ajourn

1:00 PM

Governor's 2025 Budget Address

Joint Session House Chambers

---

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

River Corrridors

• Lauren Oates, Director of External Affairs, The Nature Conservatory
  

10:00 AM

TBD

10:30 AM

Break

11:45 AM

TBD

12:00 PM

Adjourn

---

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

• Matt Chapman, Director of Waste Management & Prevention Division, Department of Environmental Conservation
  

9:45 AM

Dam Safety Program Overview and Updates

• Ben Green, Dam Safety Engineer, Department of Environmental Conservation
  

10:30 AM

Break

10:40 AM

Lakes and Ponds

• Jenny Austin, Manager Lakes and Ponds, Department of Environment Conservation
  
• Peter LaFlamme, Director, Watershed Management Division, Department of Environmental Conservation
  

11:00 AM

Salt Environmental Concerns

• Peter Lafamme, Director of Wastewater Management Division, Agency of Natural Resources
  

12:00 PM

Adjourn

---

Friday, January 31, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

Renewable Energy Standard Tiers

• Ellen Czajkowski, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  

9:45 AM

S.29 - An act relating to establishing the Chloride Contamination Reduction Program at the Agency of Natural Resources

Bill Introduction and Walk Through

• Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  
• Sen. Anne Watson, Sponsor
  

10:45 AM

Green Snow Pro Program

• Ted Diers, Assistant Director Water Division, NH Department of Environmental Serverices
  
• Steve Landry, Supervisor Non Point Management, NH Department of Environmental Service
  
• Audrey Voelker, Coordinator,, Salt Reduction Program and Green Snow Pro
  

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

---

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:30 AM

Senate Floor

10:00 AM

S.29 - An act relating to establishing the Chloride Contamination Reduction Program at the Agency of Natural Resources

Salt updates and research

• Kent Henderson, Board of Directors, Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds
  
• Matthew Vaughan, Chief Scientist, Lake Champlain Basin Program
  

10:45 AM

Break

11:00 AM

S.29 - An act relating to establishing the Chloride Contamination Reduction Program at the Agency of Natural Resources

• Tim Clear, TMDL Coordinator and Assessment Section Supervisor, Department of Environment Conservation
  
• Phil Sexton, Technical Advisor, Adirondack Action
  
• Kimberly Trombley, Program Manager, Adirondack Action
  

12:00 PM

Adjourn

---

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

Salt Environmental Concerns

• Jennifer Callahan, Manager of Pollution Prevention & Compliance, Agency of Transportation
  
• Craig DiGiammarino, Pollution Prevention and Compliance Program Manager, Agency of Transportation
  
• Ernie Patnoe, Director, Maintenance Division, Agency of Transportation
  
• Joel Perigo, Manager Municipal Assistance Programs, Vermont Department of Transportation
  

10:00 AM

Chloride and Public Works

• Marisa Rorabaugh, Manager Storm Water, South Burlington Watershed Department
  

10:30 AM

Break

10:45 AM

Public Service Board Overview

Part 2

• TJ Poor, Director Regulated Utility Planning, Department of Public Service
  

12:00 PM

Adjourn

---

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

History and Status of Clean Cars II

Joint Meeting with Senate Transportation Room 11
Https://Legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/senate-transportation

• Jane Lazorchak, Director of the Office of Climate Action, Agency of Natural Resources
  
• Dierdra Ritzer, Environmental Analyst, Department of Environmental Conservation
  
• Rachel Stevens, Associate General Counsel, Department of Environmental Conservation, Agency of Natural Resources
  
• Andrea Wright, Manager, Environmental Policy and Sustainability, Agency of Transportation
  

-

History of California Emissions Standards

10:30 AM

Progress on Implementation Standards

• Johanna Miller, Energy & Climate Program Director, Vermont Natural Resources Council
  

11:00 AM

The Energy Burden Report

Room 8

• Kelly Lucci, Director of Partner and Customer Engagement, Efficiency Vermont
  
• Peter Walke, Managing Director, Efficiency Vermont
  

12:00 PM

Adjourn

---

Friday, February 7, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

S.29 - An act relating to establishing the Chloride Contamination Reduction Program at the Agency of Natural Resources

Committee Discussion, Mark up and Possible Vote

• Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  

10:15 AM

Land Use Review Board

• Peter Gill, Executive Director, Land Use Review Board
  
• Janet Hurley, Chair, Land Use Review Board
  

10:45 AM

Break

11:00 AM

Energy Vermont Programs in Low Income Settings

• Mia Watson, Special Programs Manager, Vermont Housing Finance Agency
  

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

---

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:30 AM

Senate Floor

10:00 AM

S.29 - An act relating to establishing the Chloride Contamination Reduction Program at the Agency of Natural Resources

Follow up memo discussion

• Craig DiGiammarino, Manager Conservation and Stewardship Section, Agency of Transportation
  
• Todd Eaton, VT Local Roads Branch Manager, Agency of Transportation
  
• Jeremy Reed, Chief Engineer of the Highway Division, Agency of Transportation
  

10:45 AM

Break

11:00 AM

S.29 - An act relating to establishing the Chloride Contamination Reduction Program at the Agency of Natural Resources

• James Duffy, Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
  

11:30 AM

S.29 - An act relating to establishing the Chloride Contamination Reduction Program at the Agency of Natural Resources

Committee Discussion and Possible Vote

• Craig DiGiammarino, Manager Conservation and Stewardship Section, Agency of Transportation
  
• Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  

12:00 PM

Adjourn

---

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

Fairbanks Museum Energy Efficiency Model

• Adam Kane, Executive Director, Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium
  

9:15 AM

S.65 - An act relating to energy efficiency utility jurisdiction

Draft Introduction and Walk through

• Ellen Czajkowski, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  
• Sen. Anne Watson, Sponsor
  

10:00 AM

S.65 - An act relating to energy efficiency utility jurisdiction

• Ben Edergly Walsh
  

10:15 AM

S.65 - An act relating to energy efficiency utility jurisdiction

Burlington Electric Perspective

• Darren Springer, General Manager, Burlington Electric Department
  

10:30 AM

Break

10:45 AM

S.65 - An act relating to energy efficiency utility jurisdiction

Efficiency Vermont Prospective

• Peter Walke, Managing Director, Efficiency Vermont
  

11:30 AM

S.29 - An act relating to establishing the Chloride Contamination Reduction Program at the Agency of Natural Resources

• Jared Carpenter, Water Protection Advocate, Lake Champlain Committee
  
• Tim Clear, TMDL Coordinator and Assessment Section Supervisor, Department of Environment Conservation
  

12:00 PM

Adjourn

---

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

Vermont Association of Conservation Districts

• Clare Ireland, Director of Operations, Vermont Association of Conservation Districts
  
• Dan Koenemann, District Manager, Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District
  
• Sam Mayne, District Director, Essex County Conservation District
  

10:00 AM

Efficiency Program Uptake by Low Income Communities

• Kathy Beyer, Senior Vice President, Real Estate Development, Evernorth
  

10:30 AM

Break

10:45 AM

S.50 - An act relating to increasing the size of solar net metering projects that qualify for expedited registration

Bill Introduction and Walk through

• Ellen Czajkowski, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  
• Sen. Anne Watson, Sponsor, Senator
  

11:15 AM

S.50 - An act relating to increasing the size of solar net metering projects that qualify for expedited registration

• Peter Sterling, Director, Renewable Energy Vermont
  

11:30 AM

Youth Climate Lobby

• Sam Boyce, Student, Youth Perspective on Climate Change and the Global Warming Solutions Act
  

12:00 PM

Adjourn

---

Friday, February 14, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

vermont Housing and Conservation Coalition

Vermont Housing and Conservation District

• Mary Cohen, CEO, Cornerstone Housing Partners
  
• Jack Markowski, The Nature Conservancy
  
• Jaime Schulte, Monkton Town Forest Committee
  
• Drew Simmons, Founder/ President, Pale Morning Media
  
• Drew Watson, Policy Manager, The Nature Conservatory
  
• Abbey White, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Vermont Land Trust
  

10:00 AM

Energy Modernization Programs, Standard Offer and Net Metering

• TJ Poor, Director Regulated Utility Planning, Department of Public Service
  

11:00 AM

Financial Effects of Renewable Energy Standards

• Peter Sterling, Director, Renewable Energy Vermont
  

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

---

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:30 AM

Senate Floor

10:30 AM

S.65 - An act relating to energy efficiency utility jurisdiction

• Andrea Cohen, Manager, Government Affairs and Member Relations, Vermont Electric Cooperative, Inc.
  
• Ken Nolan, General Manager, VPPSA
  

11:00 AM

S.29 - An act relating to establishing the Chloride Contamination Reduction Program at the Agency of Natural Resources

Committee Discussion and Possible Vote

• Craig DiGiammarino, Manager Conservation and Stewardship Section, Agency of Transportation
  
• Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  

12:00 PM

Adjourn

---

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

S.50 - An act relating to increasing the size of solar net metering projects that qualify for expedited registration

-

S.65 - An act relating to energy efficiency utility jurisdiction

• Ed McNamara, Chair, Public Utility Commission
  

10:00 AM

S.65 - An act relating to energy efficiency utility jurisdiction

• Alek Antczak, Director of Efficiency and Energy Resources Division, Public Service Department
  
• Kerrick Johnson, Commissioner, Department of Public Service
  

10:30 AM

S.29 - An act relating to establishing the Chloride Contamination Reduction Program at the Agency of Natural Resources

• Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  

11:00 AM

S.65 - An act relating to energy efficiency utility jurisdiction

• Louis Porter, General Manager, Washington Electric Coop
  
• Jackie Pratt, General Manager, Green Mountain Stowe Electric Department
  

12:00 PM

Adjourn

---

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

S.57 - An act relating to the Standard Offer Program

Bill Introduction and Walk through

• Genevieve Byrne, Professor, Vermont Law School
  
• Ellen Czajkowski, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  
• Ben Walsh, Climate & Energy Program Director, Vermont Public Interest Research Group
  
• Sen. Anne Watson, Sponsor, Senator
  

10:30 AM

Joint Assembly

---

Friday, February 21, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

S.65 - An act relating to energy efficiency utility jurisdiction

• Peter Walke, Managing Director, Efficiency Vermont
  

10:00 AM

Lake Champlain's Future

• Breck Bowden, Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee
  
• Bob Fischer, Water Facility Operator, Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee
  
• Andrew Milliken, Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee
  
• Denise Smith, Executive Director, VT Council on Rural Development
  

10:30 AM

Break

10:45 AM

S.29 - An act relating to establishing the Chloride Contamination Reduction Program at the Agency of Natural Resources

• Peter Lafamme, Director of Wastewater Management Division, Agency of Natural Resources
  
• Bethany Sargent, Deputy Director, Watershed Management Division
  

11:30 AM

S.29 - An act relating to establishing the Chloride Contamination Reduction Program at the Agency of Natural Resources

Mark up and Possible Vote

• Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  

---