By Steven Heffernan
Most Vermonters were shocked by the Department of Public Service (DPS) providing the final report of the Clean Heat Standard by the consultant NV5 including a $9.8 billion cost. More will come of that as the Public Utility Commission presents its proposed rule to the legislature, in January.
I acknowledge Senator Bray’s pledge: “I think that’s actually part of my job, right, through the fall and into the session, to say, “Look, we are going to maximize the affordability of this program…”
He intends to: “build a more palatable Clean Heat Standard” and said he is not interested in building a program that adds $1.70 to a gallon of heating fuel. “That would be a real problem for many Vermonters.” He should have said that, in his Energy Committee, before reporting it to the Senate floor.
With all due respect to Senator Bray; 2 years, $2+ million on PUC’s defining Act 18, using 30 experts has produced this unaffordable, unworkable scheme.
There is a reasonable, affordable and reputable solution. Use what Vermont already has…the Vermont Weatherization Assistance Program (W.A.P.). Expand it to double the current 1,500 homes weatherized by end of this year or more by introducing my “Healthy Homes Act”.
It increases installer salaries from $20 to $30 over several years. Their job is difficult. They deserve a living wage and our respect and appreciation. It will certainly increase new hires.
Workforce shortages were cited by the NV5 study and T. J. Poor, DPS’ Director, Efficiency & Energy Resources pointed to workforce challenges highlighted in the study. Vermont has a lack of people to fill jobs needed for the program, with the largest gap in those available to complete weatherization projects, the study notes.
“Particularly when you think about the other challenges in the state, where would that workforce live?” Poor said. “It’s another thing that we’re going to work through.”
Vermont should allow W.A.P to expand its free retrofit service to low, median income homes with weatherization and heat pumps. This expensive retrofit is likely beyond their means without the benefit of a grant covering all the costs.
That will require addition funding, now set at 2 cents per gallon to 4 then 6 and possibly 8 cents, over several years, depending upon the availability of adequate workforce. Yes that will increase your fuel costs, but consider the alternative costs of Act 18 and Senator Bray’s reference to his $1.70/gallon ceiling.
W.A.P. is designed to weatherize homes of 26,000 Low Income Heat Energy Assistance Program clients. Federal LIHEAP funds are augmented by Vermont’s State budget. Those energy burdened households are required to allow W.A.P. to weatherize their homes but the waiting list could be several years or longer because of the worker shortfall.
Building out the W.A.P. program will provide comfort to those families and make the LIHEAP program more efficient by reducing the fuel purchases it will make throughout the cold winter months. In fact, Richard Giddings, Director of Vermont’s LIHEAP program cautioned the PUC study that raising heating fuel costs will diminish the amount of fuel assistance he can provide.
The heavy weight on Vermonters’ shoulder to comply with the Global Warming Solutions Act is the driving force behind the Legislature’s efforts to comply with it by raising fuel costs estimated to increase by $4 per gallon.
As if the CHS is not bad enough, the next General Assembly will be faced with legislation designed to increase pump prices for gasoline and diesel to further tax Vermonters, in our rural State without adequate mass transit alternatives.
The author is a candidate for State Senate in Addison County. The Chronicle welcomes news and commentary from all political candidates.