Op-ed Written by Sierra Club Volunteer Executive Committee Member Isaac Evans-Franz,
As I drove through the rain the other day, as the storm began, I passed a woman pushing a shopping cart, full of bedding soaking up the rain, down Route 5. Over the last several days I have kept wondering how she has fared. In Brattleboro the storm was particularly disruptive to people living in tents and mobile homes, exacerbating our housing injustices and underscoring the need for decent stable housing for all Vermonters.
It also underscores the need for climate action.
We have just experienced Vermont’s worst climate-related disaster since the flood of 1927, nearly 100 years ago. We need to stay safe, pitch in with relief and reconstruction, and address the root causes of the catastrophe.
Talking with fellow Vermonters in Barre, Brattleboro, Montpelier, and beyond, I’m hearing renewed concerns about the climate crisis. The smoky haze, the hot humid air, and increased tick bites, were already getting to many of us. But the flooding took the concerns to a new level, sounding the alarm once again about our climate.
So what can we do?
First of all, we can address immediate human need by looking after our families and our neighbors. You can sign up for Vermont Alert and volunteer opportunities, find mutual aid groups in your community, and speak up for the human right to housing and use of federal dollars for building back stronger, like we did after Hurricane Irene.
But when it comes to climate, we can make fossil fuel polluters pay, and one concrete step Vermont can take is to boldly implement the Affordable Heat Act and its clean heat standard.
Vermont's adoption this past spring of the Affordable Heat Act (AHA) demonstrates our state's commitment to addressing the climate crisis. When the legislature overrode Governor Phil Scott's roadblocks, they took a critical step forward. But in order for Vermont to fulfill its legal and moral obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Public Utility Commission (PUC) must now design the clean heat standard, considering technical details to ensure its successful implementation. The Vermont public will need to stay engaged to counteract the self-serving lobbying of the fossil fuel industry. As the discussion moves from legislature to the Public Utility Commission, we must remain vigilant.
Affordable Heat Act sets the stage for the clean heat standard by setting parameters for the standard that the Public Utility Commission must design. The clean heat standard focuses on advancing cleaner heating alternatives and reducing carbon emissions specifically related to heating systems. The standard sets targets for the adoption of clean heating technologies like heat pumps and energy efficiency measures like better insulating our homes.
The term “heat pump” can be a bit confusing, because those same pumps that help keep our homes warm in the winter also can help keep them cool on days like these recent scorchers. And they do so for a lot less electricity (and money) than air conditioners. The other day I went over to friends’ in Putney, wearing a T-shirt and shorts, as it was above 80 degrees out. Inside their house, though, I had to ask for a blanket because it was so cold. The culprit? Their “heat” pump!
Financial Benefits:
Transitioning away from fossil fuels is good for the environment and good for our economy. Currently, 85 cents of every dollar spent on fossil fuels leaves the Vermont economy, contributing to corporate profits and enriching oil-rich, corrupt governments, leaving in Vermont only a nickel and dime of every dollar spent. By embracing electrification and investing in clean energy alternatives, such as heat pumps, weatherizing homes, and implementing heat pump water heaters and convection ovens (newer electric ovens that cook as well as gas but more more efficiently than older electric ones), Vermont can retain 65 cents of every dollar spent within the local economy. This shift creates and sustains local jobs, reduces costs, and shields Vermonters from the unpredictable fluctuations of the fossil fuel market.
Implementation Strategies:
To ensure a successful transition, it is essential for everyone to contribute, recognizing the environmental and economic benefits at stake. Encouraging whole-home retrofits, expanding the use of alternative fuels, and promoting the adoption of rooftop solar panels are effective ways to reduce carbon emissions. With the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act providing substantial financial incentives, particularly for those with limited and moderate incomes, there are ample resources available to support this transition.
Biofuels and Equity Considerations:
Acknowledging that not all Vermonters can immediately adopt heat pumps or replace existing heating systems, it is crucial to provide access to low-carbon intensity alternatives. Biofuels can serve as a bridge towards a cleaner future, allowing for a smoother transition. However, a comprehensive examination of their environmental impact is necessary. Additionally, equity should be at the forefront of our efforts, ensuring that current technology incentives and weatherization programs are targeted towards those who need financial assistance. Expanding federal incentives and adopting ratepayer protection measures can further support low and moderate-income Vermonters.
Powering the Transition with Renewable Energy:
Electrifying heating and transportation is certainly a priority. We must also focus on reforming policies to incentivize in-state and regional renewable power generation. Reevaluating Vermont's Renewable Energy Standard to better promote in-state solar energy is crucial. By reducing dependence on natural gas and prioritizing local energy generation, Vermont can create jobs and establish a reliable and affordable energy supply. Additionally, revisiting renewable energy credits and removing them from large-scale hydro and biomass facilities with high carbon emissions intensity will ensure a cleaner transition.
Acknowledging Concerns:
In the grand scheme of the crisis, Vermont’s contribution is a drop in the bucket. Critics point to the very small immediate impact our policy changes will make on the environment. While technically they are correct, morally they are wrong: Just as two wrongs don’t make right, other larger states wasting resources and polluting our precious common home do not justify our continuing to do so. We have a responsibility to clean up our act. And hopefully, that will inspire other states and governments to do similarly.
Certainly what we do here in Vermont is just one part of what we need to do. We need to cut the Pentagon’s wasteful greenhouse gas emissions. We need to stop subsidizing big oil and gas. And we need to cooperate with China on climate action. Those are just a few of the big things the U.S. can do. But the implementation of the clean heat standard presents an immediate opportunity right here at home in Vermont.
The AHA represents a significant component of Vermont's comprehensive energy and climate solutions. As the PUC develops the structure of the clean heat standard, Vermont can concurrently implement complementary policies to achieve our carbon reduction goals and ensure that every Vermonter benefits from this transition. By embracing efficient technologies, promoting in-state renewable energy generation, and prioritizing comprehensive solutions, Vermont can lead the way towards a sustainable future. Together, we can realize the environmental and economic advantages that come with a cleaner and greener Vermont.