Surely, we are all horrified by the devastation that is happening in Ukraine. The uncalled-for war initiated by Vladimir Putin has outraged the world and resulted in a unified front against Russia in support of the Ukrainian people. The strong economic sanctions are totally justified and must remain as long as Russian forces continue their assault and occupation. We will have to stand firm regardless of the economic pain that the sanctions cause in the U.S. and among our allies in Europe and around the world, because that pain is nothing compared to the pain being visited on the people of Ukraine.
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| Om March 8 the Vermont House voted to send $643,077, which represents $1 for every Vermonter, plus $1,749 from sales of Russian-sourced liquor sold in Vermont between February 24 and March 2 for humanitarian relief in Ukraine. In addition, many House members bought sunflowers, the Ukraine national flower, and displayed them at our desks. |
One of the biggest effects in the U.S. is soaring oil
prices which is driving already high inflation even higher. With gasoline
topping $4 per gallon and heating oil not far behind, the remainder of the
heating season as well as our daily commutes will be more costly than
previously expected. The questions many are asking are “What can we do about
it? How can I handle the added expense?”
These questions are at the forefront of policymakers in Montpelier as
well. One thing we can do is help Vermonters reduce their dependence on fossil
fuels.
The Governor has proposed, and the House Committee on
Energy & Technology has recommended, that $80M be allocated for weatherizing
8,000 low-income and moderate-income residences between 2022 and 2026. Vermont
homeowners and tenants with low incomes will be eligible for no-cost, comprehensive
home weatherization services through Vermont’s Home Weatherization Assistance
Program administered by the Office of Economic Opportunity and delivered through
six Weatherization Assistance Providers. Weatherization of buildings with five
or more units will be delivered through 3E Thermal, a team of consultants who
help apartment building owners increase energy efficiency and improve building
performance. Vermonters with a moderate income will be eligible to receive
incentives through Efficiency Vermont and its network of contractors to support
the cost of home weatherization. Weatherization will reduce the amount of
fossil fuels needed for heating and thereby reduce the cost of heating.
In addition, $20 million in ARPA funds is recommended
for low and moderate-income Vermonters to upgrade home electrical systems and
install energy saving technologies such as cold-climate heat pumps in
conjunction with weatherization. Another $5M is recommended to help
approximately 3,000 low-income Vermonters that have a fossil fuel water heater
at least 10 years old to replace it at low or no cost with a heat pump water
heater to reduce their energy costs and emissions. These alternative heating
appliances will further reduce dependence on fossil fuels and their associated
cost.
While the situation in Ukraine was not a consideration
when the Vermont Climate Council proposed a Clean Heat Standard, it may turn
out to be an effective tool when combined with the state’s share of ARPA funds
in counteracting the heating costs of Vermonters. By allowing clean heat
measures like weatherization, heat pumps, and heat pump hot water heaters
installed starting January 1, 2022, to create Clean Heat Credits, we can get a
jump start on reducing emissions as well as costs of residential heating. These credits will be readily available for
purchase by fossil fuel dealers to meet their clean heat credit obligations
which are expected to start in 2024. Or they can generate credits themselves by
helping their customers transition to these clean heat measures.
We don’t know how long the war in Ukraine will continue, how the sanctions will affect Putin’s conduct, and what the outcome will be. But fuel prices that were already high before the war will probably continue to be so. For every gallon of heating oil or gasoline we can avoid using, we will further insulate ourselves from the volatility of fossil fuel prices as well as reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
As always, I welcome your emails (myantachka.dfa@gmail.com) or phone calls (802-233-5238).
