The Vermont legislature convened in Montpelier this week for
the second half of the biennium, i.e. the two-year legislative term between
elections. Legislative work did not stop when the session adjourned in May. Off-session
work includes constituent assistance as well as study committees, oversight
committees and workgroups that meet either in official capacity or to prepare
for the coming session. Some of our unfinished business from 2019 will be on
the agenda early in the session, including increasing the minimum wage,
establishing a paid family leave insurance program and creating a tax and
regulate system for cannabis sales in Vermont. I’m also looking forward to
working with my colleagues once more to take significant steps to address the
climate crisis through Vermont’s energy policy.
Over the last two years more and more focus has been on what
effects human consumption of fossil fuels has had on the global climate. Extracting and burning fossil fuels like
coal, oil and natural gas emit enormous amounts of CO2, methane and
other greenhouse gases (GHGs) which build up in the atmosphere and increase the
average global temperature. In recent
years we have seen the effects in more intense hurricanes, heavier rainfall and
flooding, more persistent heat waves, droughts, and wildfires in the west. Melting
glaciers and icecaps have contributed to measurable sea level rise leading to
“sunny day flooding” in some coastal communities. These effects drive costs
higher for everyone, including Vermonters. Climate scientists have
overwhelmingly concluded that we have only a limited amount of time to act
decisively to limit global warming and its effects on our environment, health
and economy. Last year Vermonters have
joined people all over the world in climate demonstrations demanding that
governments do something about climate change.
While we took some steps in 2019 to help reduce Vermont’s emissions,
including starting an EV incentive program, and increasing funding of low- and
moderate-income residential weatherization, we know we have to do more. The
Climate Caucus held several workgroup sessions over the summer to identify
further steps we can take. Converting our renewable energy and energy
transformation goals from the 2017 Comprehensive Energy Plan into statutory
requirements by passing the Global Warming Solutions Act is the first step. To
make our older housing stock more efficient for heating and cooling we’ll have
to accelerate weatherization assistance to homeowners and landlords. Changing
Efficiency Vermont’s mission to include using funds for moderate-income
weatherization through the All Fuels Initiative will be part of the solution.
Transportation is the largest GHG contributor at 43% of
emissions. We must continue to reduce transportation emissions by supporting EV
purchases, electrification and expansion of mass transit options, expanding
park-and-ride facilities, and promoting transportation alternatives like
bicycling and walkways. We also know that Vermont can’t combat climate change
alone. Alone our emissions are relatively small, but we have a responsibility
to do our part. With the approval of Governor Scott, Vermont joined with 12
other eastern states from Maine to Virginia and the District of Columbia to
consider a regional program to reduce GHG emissions from transportation. This program, called the Transportation and
Climate Initiative (TCI), would be a “cap and invest” system. Details of the design were released this
December and the legislature and administration will be working together to
integrate this effort into Vermont policy. Reducing emissions will not only
benefit the climate but will also reduce carcinogenic volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) and asthma aggravating particulates in the air we breathe.
