Pending Public Utility Commission Approval, WEC Rolls Out Tier III Annual Plans
Incentive programs help WEC members save money as they reduce their carbon footprints. Through Vermont’s Renewable Energy Standard (RES), all of the state’s electric utilities are required to help members shift their energy use from fossil fuels to other sources like electric power. This requirement is called Tier III, and members often experience Tier III in the form of incentive programs.
Utilities use incentives to make electric vehicles, heat pumps, pellet stoves and other devices more affordable and attractive than their fossil fuel-powered counterparts. Efficiency Vermont, as the state’s energy efficiency utility funded by Vermont ratepayers, is the main architect of these incentive programs, though individual utilities also shape their own incentives based on their budgets, priorities, and members’ or customers’ needs.
WEC has been partnering more closely with Efficiency Vermont to drive more member participation to the program. Co-op members have historically been eager adopters of tech that is least harmful to the environment, but at the same time, members have paid into Efficiency Vermont more than they have used its incentives. “Our goal is for WEC members to take advantage of all of the incentives available to them: meeting our Tier III requirements, getting their money’s worth for the Efficiency Vermont charge we all pay, and achieving better deals for all members” said JJ Vandette, WEC’s Director of Special Projects and Innovation, and a member himself.
Most federal incentives created under Biden-era climate legislation were rolled back as of December 31. However, Vandette indicated many incentives accessible to WEC members remain, and several programs are evolving or coming online soon. All of WEC’s 2026 incentive plans are pending regulatory approval, and WEC will reveal more program details in 2026.
Same:
Electric Vehicles: Members may still receive up to $1,000 in WEC incentives.
New:
Electric Vehicle Chargers: Multi-family and workplace EV charger offer.
Coming Soon:
Home EV charger bill credits
Bring-Your-Own-Battery bill credits
Change:
WEC partners with Efficiency Vermont for a single point-of-purchase incentive for efficient heating systems, including: heat pump water heaters, wood and pellet stoves, air-to-water and ground-source heat pumps, heat pump integrated controls, and ducted heat pumps. Efficiency Vermont will administer these programs alongside their partner installers.
To find out more about 2026 incentives, visit: efficiencyvermont.com/rebates and washingtonelectric.coop/energy-coach-home.