§ 8123. Definitions
As used in this chapter:
(1) “Carbon intensity value” means the amount of lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions per
unit of energy of fuel expressed in grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule
(gCO2e/MJ).
(2) “Clean heat credit” means a tradeable, nontangible commodity that represents the amount
of greenhouse gas reduction attributable to a clean heat measure. The Commission shall
establish a system of management for clean heat credits pursuant to this chapter.
(3) “Clean heat measure” means fuel delivered and technologies installed to end-use customers
in Vermont that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the thermal sector. Clean heat
measures shall not include switching from one fossil fuel use to another fossil fuel
use. The Commission may adopt a list of acceptable actions that qualify as clean heat
measures.
(4) “Commission” means the Public Utility Commission.
(5) “Customer with low income” means a customer with a household income of up to 60 percent
of the area or statewide median income, whichever is greater, as published annually
by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or a customer who qualifies
for a government-sponsored, low-income energy subsidy.
(6) “Customer with moderate income” means a customer with a household income between 60
percent and 120 percent of the area or statewide median income, whichever is greater,
as published annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(7) “Default delivery agent” means an entity designated by the Commission to provide services
that generate clean heat measures.
(8) “Energy burden” means the annual spending on thermal energy as a percentage of household
income.
(9) “Entity” means any individual, trustee, agency, partnership, association, corporation,
company, municipality, political subdivision, or any other form of organization.
(10) “Fuel pathway” means a detailed description of all stages of fuel production and use
for any particular fuel, including feedstock generation or extraction, production,
transportation, distribution, and combustion of the fuel by the consumer. The fuel
pathway is used in the calculation of the carbon intensity value and lifecycle greenhouse
gas emissions of each fuel.
(11) “Heating fuel” means fossil-based heating fuel, including oil, propane, natural gas,
coal, and kerosene.
(12) “Obligated party” means:
(A) A regulated natural gas utility serving customers in Vermont.
(B) For other heating fuels, the entity that imports heating fuel for ultimate consumption
within the State, or the entity that produces, refines, manufactures, or compounds
heating fuel within the State for ultimate consumption within the State. For the purpose
of this section, the entity that imports heating fuel is the entity that has ownership
title to the heating fuel at the time it is brought into Vermont.
(13) “Thermal sector” has the same meaning as the “Residential, Commercial and Industrial
Fuel Use” sector as used in the Vermont Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast
and does not include nonroad diesel or any other transportation or other fuel use
categorized elsewhere in the Vermont Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast. (Added 2023, No. 18, § 3, eff. May 12, 2023.)