A year ago today, Vermont weathered some of the worst flooding in the history of the state, causing over $1 billion in damages and displacing thousands. One year on, on the tail of a hurricane barreling through the Caribbean & southern US and threatening our region with flash flooding again, hundreds of Vermonters are still displaced, …
Legislation authorizing the State of Vermont to recoup financial damages caused by climate change from major fossil fuel companies became law yesterday when Governor Phil Scott failed to sign or veto the bill during the constitutionally-mandated five-day consideration period. The enactment of S.259, the Climate Superfund Act, marks a new era in the effort to …
Montpelier, VT — In a dismaying attempt to obstruct Vermont’s environmental and economic progress, today Governor Scott vetoed compromise legislation aimed at modernizing the Renewable Energy Standard and setting the state on a path to delivering 100% renewable electricity by 2035. By vetoing H.289, which was supported by nearly all of the state’s electric utilities, …
Governor Scott’s Veto of Landmark Renewable Energy Bill is Short-Sighted Read More »
CLIMATE & CLEAN ENERGY Climate Superfund Act (S.259) Following a hugely successful summer of canvassing in support of making the world’s largest fossil fuel companies pay their fair share to Vermont for the cost of the climate crisis to our state – and a fall of building support for the idea with events in every …
On May 7, the Vermont Senate passed H.289, to modernize the Renewable Energy Standard and set Vermont on a path to delivering 100% renewable electricity across all the state’s utilities by 2035. This would make Vermont only the second state to meet that critical benchmark, and would significantly increase the requirements for Vermont utilities to …
Vermont Senate Passes Modernized Renewable Energy Standard Read More »
The Vermont Senate gave final approval today to landmark legislation that holds the largest fossil fuel companies financially accountable for a portion of the costs of climate change. On a voice vote, senators approved final passage of the Climate Superfund Act (S.259). Earlier this month, 106 of the 150 members of the House of Representatives …
Climate Superfund Act Passes Vermont Legislature, Heads to Governor Phil Scott Read More »
The Vermont House of Representatives passed H.289 yesterday, to modernize Vermont’s Renewable Energy Standard. The bill would put Vermont on track to achieve 100% renewable electricity across all the state’s utilities by 2035, which would make Vermont only the second state to meet that critical benchmark, and would significantly increase the requirements for Vermont utilities …
Vermont House Passes Modernized Renewable Energy Standard Read More »
Effort to Hold Big Oil Accountable Clears Key Hurdle A key legislative committee approved the Climate Superfund Act, S.259, today. With a unanimous, tripartisan vote, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced this landmark legislation. Sen. Dick Sears (Bennington), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee stated, “The Climate Superfund Act builds on Vermont’s long tradition of holding …
Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee Advances S.259, the Climate Superfund Act: Read More »
In 2015, Vermont passed its Renewable Energy Standard, requiring Vermont electric utilities to provide 75% renewable electricity to their customers by 2032, of which 10% needed to be from smaller, newly-built renewables from here in Vermont. Last week on a vote of 9-1 the House Environment and Energy Committee voted to pass H.289, the first …
The legislature is updating the Renewable Energy Standard. What does that mean? Read More »
VPIRG is pursuing action on multiple fronts in the 2024 legislative session. From climate to consumer protection and toxics to democracy, we’re seeking progress that will improve the lives of Vermonters and demonstrate leadership at a time when that is sorely needed. CLIMATE & CLEAN ENERGY Make Big Oil Pay – Climate Change Superfund Climate …
