St. J legislator’s defense of voting record shows his climate ‘savior mentality’
by Alison Despathy
St. Johnsbury Rep. Scott Campbell’s recent letter, Climate Costs published in the Caledonian Record, attempted to justify his voting record and call out those who raise legitimate concerns. It was filled with too much rhetoric to ignore. This is not personal, Scott Campbell is a kind man but he is politically insane and this brings harm. There is no place for zealotry in the statehouse, representatives represent and seek balance, they should not punish, penalize and sacrifice Vermonters and the environment.
Despite holding good intentions, the fact that Campbell believes he has the answer for everyone and that his industry sponsored, expensive version of a renewable energy ‘utopia” should be forced on all Vermonters epitomizes his megalomania and extremism. This ‘savior’ omniscient mentality is indicative of a social engineer, not a representative. It brings risk and destruction to Vermont. Bobby Farlice Rubio also falls into this category as reflected by his voting record.
Experimenting with people’s livelihoods, financial situations, and personal choices is not the intention of government. Massive intrusion into people’s homes, bank accounts and the economy and energy sector by the legislature is a step too far. Allowing industry free reign to push the limits, make the laws and experiment on Vermonters is even worse. With massive inflation, the decreasing value of the dollar due to rampant printing of new money and surging costs for living expenses, the last thing Vermonters need is increased financial burden for basic necessities implemented by their own elected officials.
Not sure if Campbell actually read Annette Smith’s recent commentary but it was specifically about environmental impacts and land use NOT costs. Annette Smith, Executive Director of Vermonters for a Clean Environment, has dedicated her life to the health of Vermonters and our environment. Smith clearly pointed out the problem with Vermont’s supermajority obsession with carbon while our state’s environment and natural resources are increasingly ignored and set to be preyed upon by developers and industry.
Millions of gallons of raw sewage regularly dump into our waters. Dealing with these issues is high priority yet this is ignored because the supermajority favors the renewable energy lobbyists’ wishes and carbon obsession, while the actual Vermont environment is neglected and placed in harms’ way. Supermajority laws set up the carbon markets and demand carbon taxes are put in place to serve corporate interests that have positioned themselves as the answer.
Climate change has claimed all the attention while water quality, biodiversity, and healthy ecosystems are compromised in the name of ‘saving the earth’. This demented irony is sadly lost on many legislators with tunnel vision who choose their favored industries and agendas over the people in Vermont who are working to live lightly and create healthy sustainable relationships with their environment.
Vermont will literally pay the price. But Vermonters are told it is just ‘a little bit.’ A little bit more for heating fuel and electricity, just a little bit from your paycheck, a bit more for DMV and health insurance costs, and utter upheaval for the energy sector which intersects with the entire economy.
Oh and a lot more for property taxes because the supermajority refuses to place cost containment in the education spending. And wait until next year with carbon taxes on gas and diesel and underhanded coercion to electric vehicles which many cannot afford, cannot use due to where they live or their work, the insurance costs are through the roof and we don’t have the grid capacity or infrastructure to support this. But you will pay more anyway. More intrusion and overreach by legislators acting as overlords instead of representatives.
Don’t forget the collateral damage of increased costs for all services and products due to these carbon taxes placed on businesses. Add it all together and you have a nightmare, created by our public servants. Yes, some may afford all of this just fine but most will struggle regardless of how hard they work. People should not be forced to move or seek assistance because of over-taxation, intrusive government, and poor, impulsive decisions made by our elected officials.
Smith’s commentary also sheds light on the reality of fear mongering employed by Campbell and those who “know best” and ignore any research that questions the trajectory in order to justify their ‘at all costs’ mentality. “Crush Vermonters, who cares about the economic and environmental impacts or the global South and mass exploitation of people and resources to decarbonize Vermont, the country, the world. Ignore it, accept it, We will deal with that later. We must act, we must do this now, no matter the repercussions.” Impulsive, frenzied legislation is destructive for all involved. How much environmental, social and economic damage will accrue with this approach? A lot is the answer.
Historically empire is obvious, today it is well branded and cloaked in propaganda to manipulate people. When those in positions of power fall prey to this messaging and choose industry and party agendas over people and the environment, then we have a problem, a major problem. Campbell, Farlice Rubio and the supermajority have fallen and Vermont will continue to struggle until we move away from partisan politics and work together to support each other and our environment.
John McClaughry and Rob Roper are two highly experienced policy analysts. Their work to prevent government overreach is valuable and demands consideration, not disregard. Their arguments are valid, respecting their opinions is crucial for the future of Vermont and creating sound policy.
The supermajority legislators voting for increased costs and carbon taxes continue to ignore the limitations and risk of the electrification of Vermont. Renewable energy is intermittent and supplemental. It is weather dependent, a variable that is innately unreliable, it is exposed to the elements which immediately entails risk.
We must be realistic and cost conscious when determining the energy future of Vermont. ISO, New England, a not-for-profit independent system operator working to, ”Harness the power of competition and advanced technologies to reliably plan and operate the grid as the region transitions to clean energy.” offers helpful data on total grid loads, and solar and wind output.
For example, between January 23-January 28, there was practically zero solar and wind output due to no sun and no wind. It does not matter how much solar and wind comes on line, there will be many stretches like this especially in Vermont when it is common to have a small handful of sunny days through the winter. Careful attention to baseload power is a top priority
Widespread distribution of storage batteries holds cost projections ranging from billions to trillions of dollars. Batteries offer approximately 10 hours of backup and require minerals extracted through the exploitation of environments and people in order for wealthier countries to reach their ‘net zero’ goals. They often require apps to use thus more technology, more minerals, more power.
Follow the life cycle analysis of any renewable energy technology and you easily find the ‘net zero’ claim is completely false. These technologies are not only dependent on fossil fuel for their existence but also destroy ecosystems and human health as biofuels, minerals and resource demands increase and wind turbines and industrial solar arrays disrupt and invade precious natural spaces.
Mapping out a realistic plan and providing access is one thing, forcing ‘clean energy’ on Vermonters, especially when the tech and infrastructure are still in development is an abuse of government. We must have common sense when approaching energy policy and how renewable energy is incorporated into Vermont. This is a mere glimpse into the complexities of this conversation.
History repeats itself and most understand that corporate influence and predation on governments, media and minds in order to secure favorable laws and funding is commonplace, business as usual. Industries and investors spend tremendous money on public relations to influence opinion and shape behaviors. Books are written, documentaries paid for, a flood of ads funded and nonprofits put in place to push agendas.
So here we are again contending with mass abuse of people and earth in order for ‘progress and technology’ to save us. Same story, different technology and time This is not partisan, all parties, industries and ideologies take part in this approach. It is up to the people and our legislators to recognize the pattern in order to navigate a clear path.
My hope is that Scott Campbell, Bobby Farlice Rubio, and the supermajority wake up to the reality of their votes and stop falling for the lobbyist agendas that compromise Vermonters. Please stop spewing more rhetoric and false talking points. Vermonters deserve the truth and real representation.
On another note, many thanks to local Representatives Beck, Williams, Quimby, and Pearl and all of the Republican Representatives for their votes to uphold the Governor’s vetoes. Thank you for seeing through the clouds of industry propaganda and voting for the people and environment of Vermont. Thank you for looking out for Vermonters, not experimenting on us and helping to ensure that we continue to have options that make sense for our unique situations as we work hard to make a living and afford to live in this state we love and call home.
The author is a clinical nutritionist in St. Johnsbury.