Near the very end of the legislative session,  S.230 was passed by the Legislature. Governor Shumlin vetoed this bill on June 6, 2016.  On June 9, 2016, the Legislature passed a replacement bill S.260 that addressed some of the Governor's concerns.  To read the bill as enacted, see  Act 174. 

Act 174 gives regional and municipal plans substantial deference in the Section 248 process for energy and energy related projects.  In order to receive this higher standing in the Section 248 process, towns and Regional Planning Commissions will be required to meet enhanced data collection, goals and standards in their energy chapters.   A regional plan would need to be submitted to the Department of Public Service for a determination of compliance with enhanced energy planning requirements.  A town plan would be submitted to an RPC for review to determine whether it meets the enhanced energy requirements.  Only plans with an affirmative determination of energy compliance would have "substantial deference" in the PSB's decision-making process with Section 248 projects; plans that don't meet the requirement would only be given "due consideration" in the process.  

The Department of Public Service has until November 1, 2016 to publish recommendations and standards related to the determination process discussed above.  It may be easiest for municipalities to wait until after these recommendations and standards are finalized and the regional plan updates are completed before working to update town plans.

In accordance with  Act 171 , the Forestry bill (H.857), town and regional plans adopted on or after January 1, 2018 will need to include forestry language.  Specifically, the plans will need to be consistent with the expanded State Planning Goal regarding maintaining and improving forest blocks and habitat connectors.  The land use section of town plans will need to identify areas for aquifer protection and forest blocks, wildlife habitat and habitat connectors.

Under this bill, land use bylaws cannot regulate forestry operations as defined in 10 V.S.A. §2602.  (It is unclear at this point what the difference is between "silvicultural practices" and "forestry operations".)

VT DEMHS offers free emergency training for community officials and emergency responders - sign up for an upcoming class today. Click here to view the DEMHS Training & Exercise calendar  for the latest training being offered and for additional course information, registration and prerequisites.   Alternatively, if you want to host a training class in your area, contact Allison for more information.

Over the last few months SWCRPC and Southeast Vermont Transit (SEVT) have been evaluating some of "The Current" bus routes in the Springfield, Bellows Falls and Ludlow areas.  We had a great response to our January 2016 survey, as well as some other public outreach efforts The final report including short term recommendations is now available  here.    Contact  Katharine  for more information, including about how the SWCRPC assists with public transportation planning in our region.

SWCRPC just completed their 2015 Traffic count report, which outlines the whopping 32 counts and studies completed last summer.  The report is available on our website.   And since there is no rest for the wicked, the summer transportation fieldwork season is underway... Please contact Katharine ASAP if you want a speed study or traffic count completed!