Climate & Energy

Vermont House Advances Critical Climate Initiative: The Clean Heat Standard

Yesterday, the Vermont House of Representatives advanced H.715, the Clean Heat Standard, with an incredibly strong vote of 96 to 44 on second reading. It will be voted on in the House one more time on Thursday before moving to the State Senate. The Clean Heat Standard – the single largest pollution-reduction plank of the …

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The FY23 Transportation Bill Makes Makes Essential and Innovative Investments to Reach Vermont’s Climate Targets

Today, the Vermont House Committee on Transportation unanimously passed the FY23 Transportation Bill with a suite of investments that are essential to meeting Vermont’s climate pollution reduction requirements. The transportation sector is Vermont’s most carbon-intensive sector, and we’re encouraged to see the committee make investments at the scale and scope required to do our part …

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The Opportunity of a Clean Heat Standard: Cost Savings, Cost Certainty and Carbon-Reductions

On the same day that Russia invaded Ukraine, the Vermont House Energy and Technology Committee voted to advance this year’s most consequential legislation to address climate change and move us off fossil fuels: The Clean Heat Standard (H.715).  The implications of Russia’s unprovoked attack are hitting home – especially for Vermonters with lower incomes already …

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Clean Heat Standard Passes Out of Committee

Recently, after weeks of heated testimony the House Energy and Technology Committee approved a new “clean heat standard” program on a 7-2 vote. This bill, H.715, is the most consequential piece of climate legislation being debated in Vermont this session. Heating accounts for over 30% of Vermont’s greenhouse gas emissions, and reforms in this sector …

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VPIRG Launches \”Keep Vermont Cool\” Campaign

Compared to America as a whole, Vermonters are substantially more concerned about climate change, yet only a small percentage are currently taking political action to address the issue.   Those are the findings of a new poll conducted by the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) and FM3 Research, and the basis of a new climate …

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Luba Lukova

33 groups support EJ bill

VPIRG organized 32 groups — including organizations working to end poverty, promote racial and social justice, protect our environment, and make our communities more vibrant — to submit a letter to members of the Vermont State Senate supporting S.148, an act relating to environmental justice. The letter outlines some background on environmental justice work in …

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PUC Rejects GlobalFoundries Request for Special Treatment

Updated 2/25/2022 below In October, I told you about an attempt by Vermont’s largest single consumer of energy to skirt climate and clean energy requirements. Chipmaker GlobalFoundries petitioned the state to become a “self-managed utility,” declaring it should be exempt from the state’s renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. This was an outrageous request for special …

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Acting on Environmental Justice

Every Vermonter deserves access to a healthy environment that can help provide for a fulfilling life – whether that\’s in the form of clean affordable energy, clean air and water, access to 21st century transportation and healthy food options, a comfortable home, or just the great outdoors. And no segment of the population should, because …

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