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Climate & Energy
Climate “Action” Commission Misses the Mark
In July 2017, Gov. Phil Scott established the Vermont Climate Action Commission, tasked with creating a plan for Vermont to meet our climate and energy commitments. The commission recently released its final report and, unfortunately, it’s a 119-page disappointment. The report fails for three reasons. First, Gov. Scott corrupted the process by allowing politics to trump policy, …
On the 1 year anniversary of the Climate Action Commission…
It’s been one year since Gov. Phil Scott established his hand-picked Climate Action Commission. This anniversary follows on the heels of the release of the most recent Vermont Greenhouse Gas Inventory report two weeks ago — a sobering report detailing how Vermont climate progress is accelerating in the wrong direction, with climate pollution 16% above 1990 …
On the 1 year anniversary of the Climate Action Commission… Read More »
Vermont’s climate pollution steadily on the rise
On July 5th, while Vermonters were suffering through a deadly heatwave, Vermont’s Department of Environmental Conservation released the latest Vermont Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory — and it’s scary stuff. Detailing Vermont’s greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution from 1990-2015, this report highlights a troubling trend: Vermont’s climate pollution is up 16% from 1990 levels. Vermont’s climate pollution has been …
Vermont’s climate pollution steadily on the rise Read More »
U.S. Climate Alliance: 1 Year Anniversary Report
Around this time last year, Governor Phil Scott stood in front of reporters, TV cameras and other onlookers on the waterfront in Burlington to reiterate his alleged support of Vermont’s climate commitments and the Paris Climate Accord, and to announce the creation of the Vermont Climate Pledge Coalition, a voluntary group working to reduce Vermont’s …
U.S. Climate Alliance: 1 Year Anniversary Report Read More »
VW Settlement: Update
Over the past year, VPIRG has been working to ensure that the $18.7 million Vermont will be receiving as part of the settlement on the Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal. Last week, that work started to pay off. After the Scott Administration, and Governor Scott himself, made clear that they intended to spend a significant portion …
VT Budget Climate Package Update
While legislators and the governor continue to debate critical components of the state budget, all indications are that he, and they, intend to leave the budget’s climate package as the House and Senate passed it earlier this month. Last year, we told you about an incredible opportunity for Vermont to invest in clean, electric school …
Passed: Expanded appliance efficiency standards!
On May 22nd, Gov. Scott signed H.410 – legislation that expands Vermont’s appliance efficiency standards. Gov. Scott listened to the voices of Vermonters, as well as the vast majority of the Vermont House of Representatives and State Senate, which passed the bill on tri-partisan votes of 137-4 and 25-4, respectively. This law goes beyond current …
Passed: Expanded appliance efficiency standards! Read More »
Solar-Pollinator Bill signed into law!
On May 22nd, Gov. Scott signed H.676, which establishes a voluntary standard for establishing a pollinator-friendly habitat label on solar farms and recognizing solar installers that are leading the way in protecting and promoting pollinator species. Just like our work to make it easier to build solar on previously developed land such as rooftops, parking …
Efficiency VT Business Pilot Program Passed Into Law
On May 21st Gov. Scott signed H.739, which creates a three-year pilot program that allows Efficiency Vermont more flexibility in working with Vermont businesses on custom efficiency and energy saving programs. While it started as a reaction to the Scott Administration’s proposal to make significant cuts to efficiency programs, we were able to work with …
Efficiency VT Business Pilot Program Passed Into Law Read More »