Vermont Gov. Howard Dean (D) said yesterday that his state can meet electricity demands for the next decade by “using renewable energy and efficiency and relying less on large fossil-fuel plants.” For starters, Dean said he would probably devote $750,000 from an oil-industry settlement to solar and wind system rebates. Christine Salembier, commissioner of the state Department of Public Service, said that the state saved residents $17.7 million last year on their electric bills through a statewide energy conservation program. She said the resulting reduction in greenhouse gas emissions was equivalent to taking 2,100 cars off the road.
