Editor’s note: This commentary is by Karen Nystrom Meyer, a consultant, who is retired from a long career in the public/nonprofit sector, including as a congressional aide to then Congressmen James M. Jeffords, legislative director for the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, commissioner of Housing and Community Affairs for Gov. Madeleine Kunin, executive vice president of the Vermont Medical Society, and vice president at the University of Vermont. She now chairs the board of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont and serves on the University of Vermont Foundation board of directors. She lives in Colchester.
[I]’ve been fortunate to have had a rewarding career in Vermont with opportunities to be both an actor in and an observer of policy development and program implementation in matters involving state and regional planning, housing, commerce and community development, health care, higher education and philanthropy. I’ve learned that an overarching issue present in all of these arenas is energy – its availability, its distribution, its cost, and its source – all factors that are important in our daily lives and the vitality of Vermont. The decisions each of us make, and the State of Vermont makes on our behalf, shape our access to energy and will profoundly affect the health and sustainability of our small state.
I have heard the arguments from both proponents and opponents of Vermont Gas’ pipeline expansion. While both sides have put forward solid arguments, it comes down to the fact that year after year families and businesses have saved money by being Vermont Gas customers.
Recognizing the devastating impacts of climate change, I feel strongly that Vermont should be transitioning to a renewable energy future. However, I also understand that we cannot make this transition overnight.
The numbers are impressive. My neighbors who are lucky enough to be Vermont Gas customers saved 25 percent on their heating costs compared to fellow Vermonters who heated their homes with oil and 50 percent compared to those who heated with propane this past winter. Overall, through efficiency and fuel conversions Vermont Gas saves Vermonters $63 million per year!
In addition, while natural gas, like all energy sources, has environmental costs, I appreciate that it produces 27 percent less carbon dioxide than oil and 16 percent less than propane, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By switching from oil and propane, Vermont Gas’ customers avoid emissions equal to taking 6.5 percent of Vermont’s cars and light trucks off the road. Even more environmental benefits are likely in the future, as Vermont Gas develops innovative new programs such as its partnership with Lincoln Renewable Gas to convert organic waste and cow manure to renewable pipeline quality gas.
Recognizing the devastating impacts of climate change, I feel strongly that Vermont should be transitioning to a renewable energy future. However, I also understand that we cannot make this transition overnight. As we move toward our renewable energy goals we should take the opportunity afforded to us by the pipeline and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than we are today.
Vermonters across the state are struggling to pay their bills and to make ends meet. The pipeline expansion gives us the chance to reduce Vermonters’ bills, put more money into Vermonters’ pockets and make life more affordable. On top of that, it gives us the opportunity to reduce the amount of carbon emissions going into the atmosphere and helps us combat climate change. This opportunity should be embraced.
