BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont\u2019s energy standards and what they cost the state could be in for a big shakeup. It comes as state officials consider a move toward what they call clean rather than renewable energy.<\/p>\n
Under the renewable energy standard, most Vermont utilities are required to source 100% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2030.<\/p>\n
While renewables make up the majority of Vermont\u2019s electric energy portfolio, about one-fifth comes from nuclear. <\/p>\n
Since nuclear isn\u2019t renewable, Vermont spends about $5 million annually on renewable energy credits to meet state renewable standards. To save that $5 million, Gov. Phil Scott wants to require utilities to source electricity from clean sources<\/a> instead of renewable sources. <\/p>\n Clean energy is generally considered to be carbon-free. State leaders say nuclear would fall under the \u201cclean\u201d umbrella, though some people question just how clean it is.<\/p>\n We posed the question to Vermont Public Service Commissioner Kerrick Johnson.<\/p>\n Reporter Sophia Thomas: Can we really consider it clean?<\/p>\n Kerrick Johnson: I think it\u2019s accurate to say any energy source has its drawbacks, whether it\u2019s mining for the materials you need for solar panels or EVs, you know, the rare earths, all the challenges.<\/p>\n On the nuclear front, University of Vermont Professor Amrit Pandey says it\u2019s radioactive waste, the byproduct of nuclear energy generation, that could be considered unclean.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is clean in that sense because it\u2019s not releasing, per se, as a process of producing electricity, carbon in the atmosphere. That being said, when the fuel is used, you have spent fuel, and I think that\u2019s where there are a lot of questions on how best to manage that,\u201d said Pandey.<\/p>\n Johnson believes part of the answer could lie in nuclear waste sites<\/a> up for consideration across the country. <\/p>\n Reporter Sophia Thomas: How much does the aftermath come into play there?<\/p>\n Kerrick Johnson: That\u2019s a really fair question. The promising thing here from the Trump administration is that they are seeking to recruit willing communities that have the correct geology to host and serve as a repository for the nation\u2019s nuclear waste.<\/p>\n