DRAFT

September 5, 2007

Resolution of the Joint Energy Committee to Retain a Consultant to the Legislature to Report and Recommend a Revised Energy Efficiency Utility Structure

Resolved:  that the Joint Energy Committee recommends

That the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate retain a consultant to advise the Legislature on how it might structure an all-fuels energy efficiency utility in statute;

That compensation for the consultant shall be from funds appropriated to the Legislature and paid pursuant to terms of a contract with the Legislature approved by the Speaker and the President Pro tempore;

That the consultant shall be retained as soon as practicable in order to perform services during the remainder of the 2007 legislative interim;

That by no later than January 15, 2008, the consultant shall present a report to the Joint Energy Committee, the House and Senate Committees on Natural Resources and Energy, the Senate Committee on Finance, and the House Committee on Ways and Means that contains a proposed revised energy efficiency utility structure, together with any proposed legislative changes that in its judgment will assist in the effective implementation of the revised efficiency utility; 

That after consulting with the Department of Public Service, the consultant shall develop the proposal in a manner consistent with the provisions of 30 V.S.A. § 209 and in consultation with the Public Service Board, representatives from heating fuel dealers, electric and gas utilities, the energy efficiency utility, consumer representatives, environmental advocates, the building industry, entities currently engaged in delivering weatherization services, and other stakeholders identified by the consultant; and

That the report of the consultant shall also include funding options for expanded fossil fuel efficiency responsibilities of any energy efficiency utility proposals set forth in this report the existing energy efficiency utility.