2020 Climate Action – Your Help Needed

Recognizing that climate change poses an existential threat to Lake Champlain water quality, LCC was among 30 diverse organizations to present a policy plan of action to Vermont leaders in January. Since 2006, the state has had statutory goals to cut carbon pollution but we are very far from meeting them. Vermont is falling behind its Northeast neighbors in making pollution reductions, in part because the state lacks requirements to do so. The four legislative priorities of the plan are to:

• Enact a Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) that enables and requires state government to achieve climate emissions reductions. The legislation will set binding targets and hold the state accountable to develop and implement a plan to meet Vermont’s commitment to the Paris Climate Accord by 2025 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Read a one-pager about GWSA here and see below for time-sensitive action steps you can take to help advance this measure. 
• Commit to 100% renewable energy for electricity generation by 2030 to move state infrastructure away from imported fossil fuels and foster climate resilient communities by increasing energy choices and improving access to innovative energy technologies.
• Modernize Vermont’s energy efficiency utilities to meet today’s challenges. Heating and transportation are the most polluting sectors of Vermont’s economy and our biggest energy costs. By using statewide infrastructure of the efficiency utilities such as Efficiency Vermont and Burlington Electric Department we can reduce emissions and assist those facing the highest energy cost burdens.
• Participate in a just, equitable implementation of the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI), a regional effort to reduce climate pollution by placing a cap on emissions from fossil fuel companies and using revenue raised to help participating states invest in cleaner transportation options.

Click here to read a full copy of the plan.

Your Help Is Needed!

Earlier this week Vermont’s House Energy & Technology Committee voted 7 to 2 to advance H.688 – the Vermont Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA). The bill has moved to Appropriations and will likely go to the full House floor next week for a crucial vote. Please reach out to your representative(s) and urge their support of GWSA. You can find your representatives and their contact information on the VT Legislature website. Thank legislators who sponsored the bill (click here to see the list) and urge their ongoing and active support. Ask other lawmakers to support the bill when it comes to the floor. You can leave a message for your representative(s) at the Legislature’s Sergeant of Arms office, Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM at 802 828-2228.

Despite 87 sponsors of the GWSA, next week’s full House vote will be critical. Please make time to help advance this critical piece of legislation by reaching out to your legislators. Thank you!