Republicans in the Vermont House are expressing skepticism about a plan Gov. Peter Shumlin has put forward to replace tax credits for renewable energy development with smaller grants.
Shumlin wants to make grants equal to 50 percent of the tax credits granted for solar and other renewable projects, rather than pay for them with a new 55-cent surcharge on electric bills, as was earlier proposed by his Department of Public Service.
But Republican Leader Don Turner and Rep. Oliver Olsen said they think Shumlin’s plan will do damage to the Clean Energy Development Fund.
Turner also put in a plug for continued operation of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant, which he said has put millions of dollars into the fund.