Agenda - Council - 08/25/2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Vermont's Net -Metering Permitting Process Vermont's permitting process for net metered (thus, grid -tied) small Hind turbines is straightforward and simple: A customer applies for a Certificate of Public Good .(CPG), at no cost, from the Vermont Public Service Board (PSB) and distributes the application to adjacent' landowners, the town planning committee, and select board, local utility, and several state agencies. Barring any objections within 30 days, the CPG application is generally approved and is exempt from additional state or local zoning regulations. Should there be any public objections, witnesses for each. party testify at a public hearing where the PSB. makes a final decision. Windward Engineering Endurance 4.25kW turbine in Arkport., NY PERMITTING PROCESS: TIME & COST Even the best zoning ordinances are often thwarted by overly expensive and lengthy requirements for obtaining a permit.. We recommend the following: `R http://Iomaprieta.sierraclub.org/global_�,,,arming/ pv_permit_study.htm Damian Pitt, "Taking the Red Tape out of Green Power." Network for New Energy Choices, September 2008. In Vermont; permitting is free for all grid -tied renewables statewide under the Certificate of Public Good application process. Permed or... . Conditional Use Accessory Use_:... . Hearings are usually required to determine whether.the installation meets the "conditions" The permit should upon which permission is contingent. Any hearings be granted upon should be held within 30 days of the application timely review of date. Promptly thereafter the zoning board should m.. the application, not tnotify the applicant whether or not the permit has F.: exceeding 30 days. been granted and what conditions are necessary to satisfy the permit. If an application must be approved by a town or county board after being passed = through a planning committee, a reasonable timeframe is 60 days or less. Total permitting costs should be commensurate with any other non- commercial end-use objects or structures, and should reflect the cost of administering the permit and any associated reviews or inspections. Most localities levy fees at a flat rate, but some occasionally use a "valuation method" that calculates the fee as a percentage of the system's cost. However, there is little, if any, correlation between the size of a turbine and the costs and time required for its inspection and review process. Flat fees are therefore more practical and desirable. y Furthermore, the valuation method inadvertently discourages larger o systems and their associated public. benefits. Paradoxically, under this fee structure, the more a turbine owner wants to contribute to the community, the more difficult it becomes to do so. Some localities have implemented a tiered fee structure to distinguish_ between residential and commercial uses. Still others have waived permitting fees entirely for on -site renewable generators, sending a powerful message of local government support for clean energy and their associated community benefits. Some communities that have _ waivedpermitting fees for on-site renewables include Tucson (AZ), San Diego (CA), Fairfax (CA), and the entire state of Vermont.2s `R http://Iomaprieta.sierraclub.org/global_�,,,arming/ pv_permit_study.htm Damian Pitt, "Taking the Red Tape out of Green Power." Network for New Energy Choices, September 2008. In Vermont; permitting is free for all grid -tied renewables statewide under the Certificate of Public Good application process.