Vermont governor signs energy efficiency bills

Vermont governor signs energy efficiency, clean energy bills

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) -- Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin has signed three bills that promote energy efficiency and clean energy for homes, farms, and businesses.

The legislation signed Monday creates new financing programs for residential and commercial sectors. It allows the Vermont Economic Development Authority to borrow up to $10 million from the state Treasury to establish the loan programs and a new energy efficiency loan guarantee program.

The bill also provides $6.5 million for residential efficiency loans through a program run by Vermont Housing Finance Agency.

The loan programs leverage capital through a public-private partnership to help businesses save energy.

A thermal efficiency law makes improvements to state building energy standards.