By Rick Morris, communications team lead for the VT Sierra Club. Originally published in Vermont Digger.
Here is a recap of how the Sierra Club is fighting for environmental justice at the Vermont State House…
Looking back:
For the past couple of years, transportation policy has been our top focus. Transportation has been the largest and fastest-growing source of greenhouse gas emissions in Vermont and despite pandemic-related reductions, it is expected to still increase.
Last year, we successfully advocated for nearly $20 million in incentives for vehicle electrification and another $20 million for electrification infrastructure (think: EV chargers for cars and buses) from the federal government.
Together with Vermont's "Advanced Clean Cars and Advanced Clean Trucks" rules that we won at the end of 2022, Vermont is set to reduce 20% of our greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. (Read more here: https://www.sierraclub.org/vermont/blog/2022/12/we-did-it-cleaner-cars-and-trucks-are-coming-vermont)
This session, one of our major focuses was the Affordable Heat Act (AHA). After transportation, heating is our largest source of climate-changing emissions and the biggest burden on household budgets.
By working with the increasingly powerful and ambitious 90+-member Climate Solutions Caucus in the legislature, we successfully passed the AHA! Our position at the Sierra Club evolved when we were sure the AHA included mechanisms to reduce carbon-intensive biofuels and greater equity considerations to assist people with limited incomes.
After the governor's veto, we collaborated with champions in both the Senate and the House to override the veto and secure a huge win for our climate and Vermonters' pocketbooks.
(Learn more about the Affordable Heat Act and why the Sierra Club supports it here: https://www.sierraclub.org/vermont/blog/2023/04/sierra-club-affordable-heat-act-testimony-april-2023)
I have to acknowledge a few environmental champions in particular. The Senate's Committee on Natural Resources and Energy was headed by the leadership of Chair Sen. Chris Bray (D-18 Addison) and Vice Chair Sen. Anne Watson (D/P-30 Washington). Bolstered by committee member Sen. Becca White's (D-14 Windsor) tireless advocacy, the Committee is redefining what is possible to combat climate change here in Vermont.
It is no small feat to override a governor's veto. This important act would not have crossed the finish line without strong leadership from the House. Rep. Laura Sibilia (Ind-127 Windham 2) rallied the House from her position as Vice Chair of the Committee on Environment and Energy.
Governor Scott continues to veto climate solutions from these environmental champions, despite regularly declaring his belief in climate change and expressing commitment to meeting the Paris Climate Accords. The Governor's political maneuvering would grievously endanger Vermonter's economic welfare with a forced reliance on fossil fuels without the environmental leadership from the House and Senate.
Looking ahead:
After our efforts to reduce emissions from transportation and heating, it is now time to ensure that our power grid produces clean renewable energy to power our cars, homes, and businesses. We are collaborating with our partners around the state and elected leaders to deliver a strong Renewable Energy Standard. The current version of the bill (H.320) requires Vermont utilities to obtain 60% of their power from new renewables in the near term, while charting a course to achieve a 100% renewable energy future.
(Learn more here: https://www.sierraclub.org/vermont/blog/2023/04/why-update-vermont-s-renewable-energy-standard)
Late in the session, the House Energy and Environmental created a working group to investigate and hopefully reform Vermont's Renewable Energy Standard, similar to the one outlined above. The working group would consist of utilities, environmental groups, and legislators. We hope that by working together we can encourage more instate renewables, and protect low-income Vermonters with affordable power while truly reducing carbon emissions in the region.
Climate change poses a threat to Vermonters' health, finances, and recreation. We at the Sierra Club are committed to joining our neighbors to fight for a more just, equitable, and sustainable environment. Check out our website to stay in touch and get involved in helping VT adopt sustainable and equitable policies. https://www.sierraclub.org/vermont