Lawmakers to spend their time on ‘environmental justice’ for Vermont
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy on Friday took testimony from several witnesses who said environmental justice must incorporate efforts to fight racism.
Roper: $2.2 billion requested for ‘green’ electricity infrastructure
As the Legislature takes up the Climate Action Plan’s recommendation to electrify pretty much everything in Vermont by the year 2050, a big question is how are we supposed to create and deliver enough electricity to actually do that. And, of course, how much might it cost.
Tom Evslin: Let’s really build the electric grid back better
The grid is not ready for the loads we will put on it as we continue to electrify. It is also not reliable enough to be the sole source of energy for transportation and heating.
Flemming: Even without TCI, cap-and-invest still looms large
Any cap-and-invest scheme would eventually make Vermont border gas stations so uncompetitive on price that they would go out of business, long before gasoline is banned entirely.
Bill targets ‘renewable’ status of Big Hydro
Beginning next January, carbon-free power produced by dams 200 megawatts or larger will become 10% less “renewable” every year for state energy standard purposes, according to a bill introduced Tuesday in the Vermont House.
Scott announces program to subsidize electric vehicle charging stations for multi-unit housing
$1,000,000 in funding is available to subsidize the cost of purchasing and installing Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations at rental properties to provide residents with at-home charging access.
Transportation bill punishes low mpg with ‘feebates’
A bill co-sponsored by 61 Vermont House members (but no Republicans) would levy steep fees on vehicles with poor miles-per-gallon performance.
Tom Evslin: Vermont can exceed 2025 carbon reduction goal just by planting trees
We will best meet our environmental goals by good use of Vermont land. Reforestation Hub shows the size of the opportunity. It’s time to change crops, as Vermont has often done in the past, and turn some farms to forests.
McClaughry: The peril of the federal billions
If a state spends its federal windfall money on ongoing programs including supposed remedies for climate change, sooner or later it will have to cut back those programs it unwisely expanded, or start paying the increased costs from its own resources — most likely by jacking up taxes.
Roper: Here comes the gas-powered car tax
The House Transportation Committee is about to take up H.552 which would, among other things, impose new taxes (or fines, depending upon how you look at it) on vehicles that get less than 24 miles per gallon of gasoline or diesel.
Lynn Edmunds: Goal of local energy plan should be to attain clean energy and preserve your liberty
Be careful benevolent goals for clean energy enhancement are not extorting your liberty or infringing on your rights when evaluating this proposal.
McClaughry: Cold snap could trigger rolling blackouts if Climate Council recommendations enacted
What if there is not enough solar, wind, natural gas or fuel oil to keep up with demand for electricity during the next cold snap? We should be prepared for “controlled power outages” or rolling blackouts to keep the grid from short circuiting.