By Michael Bielawski
A report on statewide fuel sales regarding the heating and transportation sectors indicates that there was “no significant change” in fuel consumption patterns despite massive public investments in green technology for heating, transportation, and energy production.
“Reported fossil fuel sales volume decreased in the thermal sector in 2024 compared to 2023; data regarding sales of natural gas in 2024 has not yet been reported. Sales of gasoline and diesel fuel for transportation increased,” their presser states. The study was done by their Climate Action Office.
This is despite big investments in green tech.
“Vermont taxpayers have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in reducing emissions over the past five years and many forces impact the success of decarbonization efforts, including upfront costs, Vermonters’ readiness, and workforce and supply-chain constraints,” the report states.
For example, this year’s state budget includes carbon-emissions reduction spending of an estimated $520 million.
In short, overall carbon-based fuel consumption remained relatively unchanged. It states, “Preliminary analysis indicates no significant change in the combined year-over-year greenhouse gas emissions from these two sectors.”
Long-term trends show a slight decrease in consumption when looking back to before COVID-19. It states, “Sales of gasoline are now approximately 26 million gallons (8%) lower than they were in 2019, and diesel sales are 2.5 million gallons (nearly 4%) lower.”
Slow progress explained
“Vermont taxpayers have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in reducing emissions over the past five years and many forces impact the success of decarbonization efforts, including upfront costs, Vermonters’ readiness, and workforce and supply-chain constraints,” the report states.
It continues, “ANR stated that the investments that are being made are integral to our ability to drive long-term reductions in Vermont’s greenhouse gas emissions. The preliminary data for 2024 offer an important reminder about why it is critical to track annual fossil fuel usage, as well as the value of being able to look at this data over time.”
“Significant resources” committed
Despite the claim of savings, there are big expenses too. The report states, “In the months ahead, ANR staff will dig into all available data to better understand what factors may have contributed to the increases in gasoline and diesel fuel sales, and whether there are more efficient and effective ways to invest the significant resources Vermont taxpayers have committed to greenhouse gas emissions reductions.”
In 2024 Vermont’s Public Service Department estimated that just the state’s conversion to electrical heating via the ‘Clean Heat Standard’ would cost the state about $10 billion.
Global Warming Solutions Act benchmark “may not be met”
The controversial Global Warming Solutions Act may be missing its targets regarding carbon dioxide emissions.
“While the preliminary emissions estimates for 2024 from the transportation and thermal sectors indicate that the economy-wide January 1, 2025, Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) requirement may not be met, the multi-year trends offer important context in helping identify areas of success as well as continued challenges,” it states.
It adds that formal requirements regarding emission reductions are still two years away.
“Officially, compliance with the requirements of the GWSA will be determined when the Vermont Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report for 2024 is completed and released in 2027,” it states.
Green energy cuts looming?
On the national scene, the Trump Administration is cutting subsidies to green energy initiatives according to a new report from the free-market think-tank The Heritage Foundation.
“Currently, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is fighting to claw back $20 billion the Biden administration allocated to the “Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.”
It continues, “This fund essentially operates a ‘green bank’ that lends money to environmental projects unable to attract private funding.”
The author is a writer for the Vermont Daily Chronicle