Northeast

Vermont

Greenhouse gas emissions in Vermont have increased from 1990-2021, turning the state from a net emissions sink to a net emitter. Still, Vermont has the largest share of in-state renewable electricity generation in the country — between 99 and 100% every year since 2015, mostly from hydroelectric and biomass energy.

GHG Reduction Targets

All targets relative to 1990 levels

2025

26%

2030

40%

2050

80%

Governor

Phil Scott (Republican)

House Party

Democratic Majority

Senate Party

Democratic Majority

Legislative session

1/8/25 - 5/9/25

US Climate Alliance Status

Member

Key Offices & Links

28

Policies Enacted or In Progress

across 7 policy areas

See all

34

Policy Opportunities

across 7 policy areas

See all

Northeast

9 states

This map shows the occurrence of climate policies passed at the state-level. Higher numbers represent more climate policies enacted.

Compare with other states

Progress by Policy Area

Enacted Enacted policies have been passed or established in a state by a governing body via legislation, executive orders, rules, regulations, and/or other program creation, and remain in effect.
In-progress In progress policies have been established in a state, but final regulations, rules, or plans are pending final approval. This also includes legislation and executive orders that require regulations to be put into effect.
Partially Enacted Partially enacted policies have been enacted in the state, but are missing one or more policy components. Dashboard policies cannot be considered partially enacted unless policy components are available.
Not Enacted Not enacted policies have not been passed or established in the state or are no longer in effect.

Glossary of Terms

The colored bars indicate the status for each policy on the Dashboard, viewed across seven policy areas.

Status	Policy	Policy Area	Policy Category	Year Enacted
Enacted	Residential Energy Codes Empty column The statewide energy code for residential construction is the Vermont 2024 Residential Building Energy Standards. Establishing Policies Residential Building Energy Standards (2023) Vermont State Energy Code (2019)	Buildings and Efficiency	Building Codes	2023
Enacted	Commercial Energy Codes Empty column The statewide energy code for commercial building construction is the 2024 Commercial Building Energy Standards, with ASHRAE 90.1-2019 compliance options. Establishing Policies Commercial Building Energy Standards (2024)	Buildings and Efficiency	Building Codes	2024
Enacted	Stretch Building Energy Codes Empty column The Vermont Residential Energy Building Standards (RBES) Stretch Code is a building energy code for residential buildings that achieves greater energy savings than the statewide RBES. Establishing Policies Act 89 of 2013 (2013) 30 V.S.A. § 51 (2020) Vermont Residential Energy Building Standards (RBES) Stretch Code (2024)	Buildings and Efficiency	Building Codes	2024
Enacted	Appliance Standards Empty column The Energy Efficiency Standards for Appliances and Equipment apply to 23 products. Establishing Policies 9 V.S.A. chapter 74 (2017) Act 139 of 2018 (2018) Vermont Appliance Efficiency and Water Conservation Standards	Buildings and Efficiency	Building Standards	2018
Not Enacted	Building Performance Standards Empty column Building performance standards establish energy and/or greenhouse gas performance targets for existing buildings in a state. These targets increase in stringency over time, leading to efficiency improvements in buildings to conserve energy and reduce emissions.	Buildings and Efficiency	Building Standards
In-Progress	Clean Heat Standards Empty column The Vermont Public Utility Commission submitted draft rules for a Clean Heat Standard to the Vermont General Assembly in January 2025, which now require approval by the legislature to move forward. In the report, the PUC noted that, while feasible, a clean heat standard may not be well-suited for Vermont because of its regulatory complexity, and offered possible alternatives to lawmakers, including a fuel tax on heating fuels to subsidize existing thermal efficiency programs. Establishing Policies Act 18 (2023) PUC Report to the legislature with proposed rules (2025) Clean Heat Standard	Buildings and Efficiency	Building Standards	2023
Enacted	Energy Efficiency Resource Standards (EERS) Empty column Electric utilities are required to achieve energy savings equivalent to 204,000 megawatt hours (MWh) for 2024-2026. Gas utilities are required to achieve energy savings equivalent to 381,300 million British thermal units (MMBtu) for 2024-2026. Establishing Policies Act 56 (2015) 22-2954-PET (2023) Efficiency Vermont 2024–2026 Triennial Plan	Buildings and Efficiency	Building Efficiency	2023
Enacted	Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Empty column Vermont has enacted residential PACE-enabling legislation, but does not have an active program. Establishing Policies HB 446 (2009)	Buildings and Efficiency	Building Efficiency	2009
Partially Enacted	Weatherization Funding Empty column The State Policy Opportunity Tracker (SPOT) breaks clean energy policies down into “components”, which are binary questions to evaluate policy quality. Higher quality policies have more of their SPOT components fulfilled. Establishing Policies SPOT - Weatherization Funding in Vermont Policy Components enacted enacted not-enacted enacted 3/4	Buildings and Efficiency	Building Efficiency
Not Enacted	All-Electric Buildings Empty column All-electric buildings policies require new buildings to be constructed with all-electric heating, cooling, and cooking systems to transition away from fossil-fuel use in buildings.	Buildings and Efficiency	Building Electrification

Vermont

Key Offices & Links

28

34

Northeast

Progress by Policy Area

Climate Governance and Equity

Cross-Sector

Electricity

Buildings and Efficiency

Transportation

Industry, Materials, and Waste Management

Natural and Working Lands

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in Vermont

Climate Policies in Vermont