By Guy Page
H.289, the renewable energy standards bill, gained preliminary approval by a 99-39 roll call vote in the Vermont House yesterday, Wednesday March 20. For more detail and analysis, see two other posts in today’s VDC.
The two comments – one pro, one con – published below catch both the hopes and concerns about the bill’s increased reliance on in-state renewables as the path to 100% elimination of carbon emissions from electricity production.
Rep. Terri Williams, R-Granby:
“Madam Speaker, I pray this bill does not pass, but, if it does, those involved must do a muchbetter job of selling this idea to the general public. The perception is that this is being shoved down our throats, and in a very aggressive time frame, and that small businesses (which the Legislature does a very poor job of supporting anyway) will be harmed to the point that many will close.
“Vermont has the oldest demographic in the country, which equates to fixed incomes. Conservative Vermonters truly believe we cannot financially afford this new idea.
If you are so sure this is the way to go, you must do better. Most of us are not on board. That doesn’t set well with having the confidence that the Legislature is here to support the great people of our State.”
Rep. Esme Cole, D-Hartford:
“Madam Speaker, as a small state, Vermont has little control over wars abroad or theshrinking supply of non-renewable resources. Where we CAN claim control, however, is through investment in our own State’s renewable energy generation – the energy system we’ll be leaving to our State’s children. We must not neglect the power we hold to prepare for the inevitable, dramatic increase in demand for electricity nationwide. H.289 specifically requires us to meet more of that demand in-state and keeps that revenue in Vermont. As one of the youngest legislators here, I am voting YES for Vermonters even younger than me. The stakes are incredibly high, and the cost of doing nothing is higher.”