Political theater plays at Statehouse

July 12, 2007

MONTPELIER — It was too hot for the polar bear. By lunchtime, with temperatures near 80 degrees and high humidity, the woman inside the furry costume had to take it off.

That's just the point, said environmental advocates, who turned out en masse Wednesday at the Statehouse to lobby lawmakers to override Gov. Jim Douglas' veto of an energy bill.

"It's a preview of global warming," said Andrea Stander, a spokeswoman for Vermont Public Interest Research Group.

More than 300 people lined hallways, chambers and galleries to urge lawmakers to override the governor's veto of a bill aimed at reducing the state's greenhouse gas emissions and offering residents help in conserving energy in their homes.

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