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 »
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 …
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 …
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 »
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 …
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 »
Updated (5/29/18): Last week, Gov. Scott signed H.739 into law. Earlier today, the House and Senate passed H.739, a bill that creates a three year pilot program to give Efficiency Vermont more flexibility in working with some of the largest businesses in the state on custom efficiency and energy saving programs. This bill now heads …
Updated: Efficiency Vermont pilot program for VT businesses passed into law! Read More »
Last month, Governor Phil Scott sent a letter to legislative leaders outlining his opposition to several bills on the basis that these bills would impose new taxes or fees or somehow impose new costs on Vermonters. In his letter, the governor did not elaborate on what any of these bills would actually do. And based …
Affordable for whom? The High Cost of Gov. Scott’s “Say No” Agenda Read More »
Late last week, the House advanced their version of the budget in a 122-10 vote, and in it they included a ‘climate package’. This section of climate-related appropriations may ring a bell if you’ve been following our climate work this session! Specifically, the climate package includes: $120,000 for a “study of regulatory and market-based …
Vermont House passes budget featuring climate package! Read More »
Wind energy is off the table in Vermont, thanks to the Scott Administration. The rules regarding sound from wind turbines, which Governor Scott supported, were the latest roadblock for wind energy in Vermont. Prior to that rule, there were just three projects under consideration in Vermont. Today, there is just one – a single turbine …
