SYMINGTON PROPOSES TWENTY PERCENT WIND POWER IN TEN YEARS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    Contact: Michael Carrese

August 6, 2008                                                              802-651-7141 or 760-8832

SYMINGTON PROPOSES TWENTY PERCENT WIND POWER IN TEN YEARS

Major Departure from Douglas Policy Would Jump Start Economy

Speaker of the House Gaye Symington proposed a dramatic shift in Vermont's energy policy today by calling for an aggressive ramp-up of wind power.  The goal is part of Symington's "Roadmap to Energy Independence" that aims to create jobs, lower electric bills and help Vermont gain more control over its energy future.

"Deriving twenty percent of our power from wind generation in ten years is an ambitious, but achievable goal that will jump-start our economy and provide a critically needed new source of power," said Symington. "We are missing out on hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity and hundreds of good jobs that a commitment to wind power would bring. The clear difference between Governor Douglas and me is that he has constantly missed energy opportunities, and I will create them," Symington added.

The Democratic candidate for Governor made the announcement on the factory floor of NRG Systems, Inc. in Hinesburg, a major supplier of equipment to the wind power industry that does very little business in Vermont because of the state's lack of wind projects.

"It is simply inexcusable that Vermont derives only 0.2 percent of its electricity from wind. While our neighboring states, oil states and nearly all developed countries are embracing the wisdom of wind power, our Governor stubbornly resists and claims erroneously that Vermonters don't want it.   It is time for Jim Douglas to stop tilting at windmills and let me build them instead," Symington said.

Vermonters have expressed strong support for wind power in recent polls. A statewide survey done by Renewable Energy Vermont in 2006 showed Vermonters preferred wind by a wide margin over all other sources of power, and 81% said they would consider the sight of turbines on mountain ridges beautiful or acceptable.  In January, the Department of Public Service did extensive polling around the state and found Vermonters strongly support wind projects even if they are visible from their homes.

Symington says the wind power goal will be achieved by standardizing and fast-tracking the planning and permitting process for wind projects and appointing a Director of Energy to serve on her central staff.

"This key member of my central staff will be charged with ensuring that all agencies and programs of state government are aligned with the wind power goal and the vision of creating an efficient, renewable energy economy," said Symington. 

Symington explained at the announcement that wind power is particularly important to develop because going forward it will be the only major source of electricity that can be bought with long-term contracts at a fixed price.  The standard for other sources will be contracts of less than two years. Even Vermont's valuable relationship with Hydro Quebec will be placed on a shorter-term footing.  In the next decade when experts expect electric rates to rise sharply, these stable wind contracts will be of great benefit to Vermont.

The Roadmap also calls for increasing Vermont's commitment to efficiency programs to lower energy bills and create jobs.  Efficiency Vermont estimates that every dollar invested in efficiency saves $2.44, and Vermonters have saved millions of dollars in recent years by making efficiency improvements in homes and businesses.  

Symington's electric energy plan includes a new way to pay for efficiency projects that was also featured in the thermal energy plan she announced last month. 

 "My ‘Efficiency Pays' plan lets homeowners, building owners and tenants purchase and install money-saving energy efficiency and renewable energy products with no up-front payment and no debt obligation. Those who benefit from the savings will pay for these measures through a charge on their utility bills, but this monthly charge is always lower than the estimated savings. The funding for the initial cost will come from private sources of capital like banks or pension funds," said Symington.  A full descripton of this innovative approach is available at http://email.politicker.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=7d73698b61fc4d4486aa4aee29b70e53&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.symingtonforgovernor.com

In her remarks at NRG Systems, Symington charged that the Douglas administration has created a hostile regulatory environment for renewable power generation at the community-scale. 

"Six years ago, Vermont was poised to be a leader in developing renewable energy at the residential, institutional and community level. Six years later we have been surpassed by our neighboring states and even oil states like Oklahoma and Texas. When I'm Governor, I will create a partnership with utilities, developers and localities that will build the cost effective, community-based generation we need to meet our future energy needs. District energy projects, solar installations, co-generation plants, smart grid investments - all of these necessary elements of a sensible energy infrastructure will grow under a Governor committed to renewables and efficiency."

Symington also highlighted her sensible plan to deal with Vermont Yankee that protects the interests and wallets of average Vermonters.

"The Governor's refusal to make a plan for replacing the power we get from Yankee doesn't make business sense, economic sense or common sense. My plan insists on letting independent experts determine if the plant is reliable.  If it isn't, it should be shut down.  If it's safe, I will transition Vermont away from that power over 5 to 10 years.  And I will refuse to let Vermont's taxpayers foot the bill for cleaning up the site when it is shut down.  Yankee's owners must pay to clean up after themselves," she said.

Complete information on the Symington Roadmap for Energy Independence (both thermal and electric policy) can be found at www.symingtonforgovernor.com

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Michael Carrese
Communications Director
Symington for Governor
802-651-7141