The clean heat standard, a policy focused on reducing emissions in a sector that makes up more than a third of the state’s total carbon output, won approval Thursday from the House Committee on Energy and Technology.
“It was a heavy lift,” Rep. Tim Briglin, D-Thetford, the panel’s chair, told his colleagues after they signed off on the measure. “It’s a better bill.”
The committee voted 7-2 in favor of the legislation, with its two Republican members casting “no” votes.
Rep. Sally Achey, R-Middletown Springs, suggested the Legislature had already taken significant action related to reducing emissions in the heating sector. She said lawmakers ought not pass additional legislation yet.
“We have just appropriated so much money in weatherization,” Achey said. “I think we’ve taken an incredible amount of action. I don’t think enough time has passed.
“We don’t know how much effect (previous legislation is) going to have,” she said.
Under the clean heat standard, “obligated parties” — including many types of fuel distributors — would need to prove that they’re contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions starting in 2025. They could do that in a number of ways: by delivering clean, low-carbon heat directly to homes; through contracts with delivery companies that deliver the clean heat options; through the market purchase of clean heat credits; or, according to the bill, “through delivery by an appointed statewide default delivery agent.”
In its current form, the clean heat standard would require that the Public Utility Commission issue a report and hold hearings in January 2023 and 2024 to update the Legislature on the standard’s implementation and expected effects on consumer costs.
About 34% of Vermont’s total greenhouse gas emissions come from the heating sector, a percentage topped only by transportation. Vermont’s 2020 Global Warming Solutions Act requires emission reductions in each sector proportionate to the amount the sector produces.
In the thermal sector, Vermont must reduce emissions 15% by 2025, 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050.
Lawmakers used a white paper, written by climate council members and a working group focused on clean heat, to craft the legislation, which would eventually be implemented by the Public Utility Commission. The white paper specifies the stakes of creating a well-functioning program.
“Unless we rapidly revamp the heating sector, we can’t come close to meeting Vermont’s climate goals,” it said. The goal is to incentivize and regulate the reduction of fossil fuel emissions that come from heating buildings across the state.
Although Democrats in the energy committee supported the clean heat standard, some environmentalists on the left have spoken out against the proposal.
At Wednesday’s Statehouse protest sponsored by 350Vermont, a climate justice nonprofit, protesters voiced their opposition for the clean heat standard, calling it a “false energy solution.”
On Feb. 14, 156 Vermonters — including 112 from Rep. Briglin’s district and three selectboard members from Thetford — signed a letter opposing passage of the clean heat standard. Signatories cited equity issues, a rushed process and “greenwashing,” or making actions seem falsely environmentally friendly, as reasons for their dissent.
Legislators expect the clean heat standard will next be referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
