This commentary is by KC Whiteley, Earl Hatley and Liz Steel, all volunteers at 350Vermont.
Dear Vermont legislators: At this midpoint in the legislative session, we’re writing to support you in passing bold, effective climate justice solutions.
Climate wins are within our reach. There’s still time this session to pass several bills that will help us meet our mandated climate goals accurately and equitably. There’s still time — before we run out of time — to curb greenhouse gas emissions and to help all Vermonters switch to affordable, non-combusting clean energy.
This session, 350Vermonters have shown up regularly at the Statehouse to advocate for bold, effective action. Each time, we have offered specific policy solutions (listed below) that would result in huge steps toward an affordable, fair and effective energy transition.
On Feb. 8, representatives of 350Vermont testified at the Senate Natural Resources Committee on our vision for climate justice for Vermont. We offered concrete recommendations for how we can achieve our climate goals while protecting the most vulnerable Vermonters and ensuring an accurate accounting of our emissions.
On Feb. 11, more than 300 Vermonters from over 30 organizations gathered at the Statehouse, calling for significant investments in local renewable energy, weatherization and conservation — solutions that do not create new harms or threaten food production, ecosystems, and communities inside or outside Vermont.
In March, 350Vermont delivered over 1,700 postcards from Vermonters calling for climate justice. We listed action steps to keep energy dollars in our local economies, safeguard our health and the health of our ecosystems, and reduce carbon emissions.
We described how proposed alternatives like biofuels and hydrogen keep us burning carbon-based fuels, creating a range of harmful impacts that are widely known and scientifically documented.
Moms, students and children joined legislative champions, telling their stories and speaking with urgency about why we need to invest in clean, local energy.
Now it is April, and we are nearing the end of our chance this year for bold leadership and concrete actions. Please do everything possible to make these bills a turning point for climate justice in Vermont.
Bills we urge you to pass now:
Clean and just electricity
Our electricity is currently not as clean as it needs to be to meet our emissions reduction goals because of what Vermont counts as renewable electricity. Only a small amount of Vermont’s renewable energy goals are met with wind and solar. The vast majority comes from large hydropower and renewable energy credits. In order to reduce emissions to meet our climate goals, we need to fix our renewable energy standard so that our renewable electricity comes from new solar and wind energy.
There are two renewable energy standard reform bills being considered — H.320 and H.289. Bill H.320 is consistent with 350VT’s values. H.289 isn’t, as it would increase Vermont’s use of large hydro and renewable energy credits at the expense of new low-emissions solar and wind.
Electricity rates are going through the roof and we want to make sure we protect all Vermonters from future increases. This bill would cap the amount low- and middle- income Vermonters would need to pay for electricity at 6% and 10% of their income, respectively.
Clean and just heat
- H.242, Thermal Energy Networks bill.
Networked geothermal energy is low-emissions and, once installed, a low-cost way to heat and cool our buildings. H.242 would allow the Public Utility Commission to support the implementation of thermal energy networks that could be locally owned and community-based. The Vermont Climate Caucus has endorsed this bill as a priority.
- S.5, Affordable Heat Act.
The bill needs to be improved to incentivize weatherization and heat pumps. It lets money that could lower energy use and heating bills, and create good-paying Vermont jobs, leave the state. It supports a biofuels and hydrogen corporate-driven economy that is hurting our climate and vulnerable communities in the U.S. and around the world.
We urge you to invest in Vermont rather than allow renewable natural gas, liquid biofuels, biomass and hydrogen to count as clean heat measures. These combustion-based fuels are just as harmful as fossil fuels and impede our transition to a renewable low carbon economy that represents justice for Indigenous and impacted communities.
- H276, The Rental Registry Bill (in solidarity with our allies at the VT Renews Coalition and Rights & Democracy).
This bill creates a statewide rental registry and a homelessness response system analysis. The registry is a fundamental data tool to provide an accurate picture of the short- and long-term rental landscape in Vermont. With the housing crisis continuing to lead to dangerously low vacancy rates and rapidly rising rents, this registry is a key tool for Vermont to assess the housing needs of Vermonters and ensure that rentals are accessible and compliant.
Strong climate workforce
This bill would secure $280,000 for outreach and education to help Vermonters join a climate workforce, as part of the general workforce bill and the state budget.
Healthy ecosystems and biodiversity
H.126, Biodiversity (30×30).
Ecosystems store carbon in plants and we depend on their health for food, water, air, and resilience in the face of extreme weather events. This bill would protect 30% of Vermont’s open space by 2030.
Clean and just investments
S.42, Divestment.
A key pillar holding up our carbon-based economy is the money still pouring into the fossil fuel industry. This bill would divest a portion of the state pension fund out of fossil fuels.
